When SPARK launched, one of our main goals was to change the conversation about sexualization and its impact on girls. In the 5 years we did work, our work was featured in countless media outlets around the world. Here are some pieces that we are especially proud of.
Jazmin Martinez on Feminist Magazine Radio
From September 2015: SPARKteam activist Jazmin joins Jamia Wilson to discuss their recent New York Times “Room for Debate” series about Hillary Clinton’s feminist rhetoric.
Clinton’s Brand of Feminism Doesn’t Speak to Me | NY Times
July 2015: SPARKteam activist Jazmin writes about the limitations she sees in Clinton’s politics: “Clinton’s feminism will supposedly fight for women, but what kind of women is she about? Does she include women who work in the fields and grow her food? Women living in fear of being deported or having broken families because of deportation? Indigenous women and black women? Or is her feminism just about white women trying to make it in the corporate world?”
[ITALIAN] Women on the Map, la app che celebra le “donne invisibili” della Storia | IO Donna
July 2015: An Italian magazine profile of our Women on the Map app and mapping project
This App Makes Your Phone Buzz When You Approach Places Where Women Made History | GOOD
March 2015: A solid look at our Women on the Map project.
Mapping History’s ‘Invisible’ Women | CNN
March 2015: CNN tells the full story of the development of our “Women on the Map” campaign.
Revenge of the Teenage Girl | Maclean’s
September 2014: SPARKteam activists Lily, Joneka & Katy and Program Coordinator Melissa are quoted in this excellent piece about the rise of feminism among young women.
Google Accused of Making Sexist, Racist Doodles | Times of India
February 2014: Though we never actually called any Doodles racist or sexist, this is a solid piece outlining our #DoodleUs campaign.
Google’s Doodles: Oodles of Men | The Wall St. Journal
February 2014: The Wall Street Journal’s exclusive first look at the data from our #DoodleUs campaign.
“Capitol Cuties” mocks Covergirl for missing the point of The Hunger Games | The Daily Dot
December 2013: Highlights from our super fun Capitol Cuties campaign.
#BraveGirlsWant to End Stereotypes, but What They Need is YOU | Huffington Post
August 2013: A look at the work of the Brave Girls Alliance and our planned takeover of Times Square
City Unveils Campaign to Improve Girls’ Self Esteem
September 2013: Coverage of the NYC Girls’ Project, of which we were a very proud partner, and their 2013 public transit campaign.
Teens Take on Teen Vogue | Yahoo Shine
August 2012: SPARKteam activists Emma & Carina discuss our Teen Vogue campaign.
The Body Peace Treaty | The Brian Lehrer Show
July 2012: SPARKteam activsts Emma & Carina appear with ED Dana to discuss our Seventeen and Teen Vogue campaigns.
Teens Confront Sexualization of Girls in Media | The Boston Globe
July 2012: A profile of SPARK featuring SPARKteam activists Maya, Izzy, and Julia.
SPARKing Change: Not Just One Girl | The Huffington Post
May 2012: SPARK co-founder Deb Tolman explores why framing girls activism as “one girl vs the world” is dangerous, and why SPARK is all about coalition and teamwork.
Julia Bluhm Protests Airbrushing Outside of Seventeen Headquarters | Huffington Post
May 2012: Coverage and photos of our Seventeen petition delivery.
Saying ‘No’ to Picture Perfect | The New York Times
May 2012: A profile of Julia Bluhm, SPARK, and the origins of our Seventeen Magazine campaign.
Gender Controversy Stacks Up Against LEGO Friends | Tell Me More
January 2012: SPARKteam activist Bailey Shoemaker Richards discusses SPARK’s LEGO Friends campaign, the limits of gendered play, and the responsibilities of toy marketers.
Too Young to Be Sexy? | ABC 20/20
November 2011: Our ED Dana Edell sits down with 20/20 to discuss the impacts of sexualization on girls.
Here is what people are saying about SPARK
Friday, October 29, 2010.
The Gothamist blog, winner of Wired magazine’s “Blog of the Year” Award and named a “Forbes Favorite”, opens an article acknowledging that, “It’s that time of year again, when parents mysteriously let their little girls dress up like slutty whatevers for Halloween.” Read how the SPARK Coalition is taking action and how reader responses to the sexualization of girls.
October 26, 2010
Courtney of Feministing shares Sarah Seltzer’s AlterNet article on SPARK Summit, and gives a shout out to Ileana Jimenez‘s amazing student bloggers! Read the article here.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010 at 11:00 AM EDT
Award-winning journalist and host of NPR’s On Point, Tom Ashbrook, asks “What does it [GQ’s Glee photos] say to a thirteen year-old boy, thirteen year-old girl, when and if they see it?” In response Professor of Sociology Pepper Schwartz draws on research finding that girls’ behavior and self-esteem are affected. She cites the SPARK Movement as attempting to help girls deal with these complex issues (7:23). Listen to the interview.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Spark becomes bilingual. The article covers the SPARK Summit and includes several interviews with participants. Read more here.
October 22, 2010
In her article “New Feminist Coalition Slams Sexed-Up Images of Girls,” Sarah Seltzer, freelance writer and staff writer for RH Reality Check, reports on the SPARK Summit event and how SPARK activists are “taking sexy back.” Read the full article here!
October 15, 2010
On About.com’s Women’s Issues blog, journalist Linda Lowen writes, “It’s hard for girls to just be girls when they’re assaulted by a constant stream of hyper-sexualized images of young girls and teens every day…For girls and teens who resist these media images and want to learn about advocacy and activism — and those adults who want to provide support and guidance — all it takes is a spark.” Read the rest of the article, entitled “SPARK Summit Ignites Movement Against Sexualization of Girls,” here!
October 5, 2010
Check out the awesome Ileana Jimenez and the incredibly wise student, Yanique Richards, in this video. It’s all leading up to the SPARK (Sexualization Protest: Action, Resistance, Knowledge) Summit at Hunter College later this month. If you’re in the area, don’t miss out, and if you’re not in the area, never fear; these folks are starting a movement. Our very own Samhita, Perez, and Chloe will be doing a workshop at the summit on blogging for girls!