Ah, New York, the city of dreams, the Big Apple, the city that never sleeps.
You’ve seen her skyscrapers, eaten her hot dogs, and marveled at Central Park. But have you met her Fearless Girl? You know, the bronze statue girl in New York that took the city and the world by storm back in 2017. But where is the Fearless Girl now? You’re about to embark on an adventurous quest to find her.
When she first appeared on the eve of International Women’s Day in 2017, the Fearless Girl was an instant sensation. Staring down the Charging Bull of Wall Street, she embodied female empowerment in a city and an industry known for its male dominance. But the Fearless Girl did not stay put. Like the city she inhabits, she’s always on the move. So, buckle up. We’re going on a journey to find out where the Fearless Girl is now.
Background of the Fearless Girl Statue
The Fearless Girl wasn’t just born out of the blue. She has a history, a creator, and a purpose that makes her the icon she is today. State Street Global Advisors commissioned the Fearless Girl as part of a campaign to encourage companies to put women on their boards. She was unveiled on March 7, 2017, standing defiantly in front of the Charging Bull statue in Bowling Green Park in the Financial District of Manhattan. Her message was clear: It’s time for women to take their rightful place in the boardrooms of Wall Street.
A Powerful Symbol
The Fearless Girl is not just any statue. She stands just over four feet tall, hands on hips, chin up, hair blowing in the wind. Made of bronze, she may be small in stature, but she is mighty in spirit. As you gaze into her determined eyes, you can’t help but feel a surge of courage and resolve. She is the fearless girl New York needed, and she quickly became a symbol of female empowerment worldwide.
A Journey of Defiance
However, the Fearless Girl wasn’t destined to stay in Bowling Green Park. Despite her popularity, her permit was only for one week. Due to public demand, her stay was extended. Yet, she was always destined to move. And in 2018, after a year of standing her ground in front of the Charging Bull, she did.
The Capitalist Connection
The Fearless Girl statue was not just a random installation. It was part of a larger initiative by State Street Global Advisors to encourage companies to incorporate more women into their boards. The statue’s defiant pose and fearless demeanor symbolized the firm’s campaign to advocate for women’s representation in corporate leadership. Interestingly, State Street Global Advisors used the statue as a marketing tool for its branded index fund named “SHE.” Thus, the Fearless Girl served dual purposes – promoting gender equality and simultaneously marketing the firm’s investment product.
The Artist Behind the Fearless Girl – Kristen Visbal
The Fearless Girl is the brainchild of a remarkable woman – Kristen Visbal. An American sculptor known for her bronze statues, Visbal brought the Fearless Girl to life with her exceptional skill and artistic vision. She was tasked with creating a statue that symbolizes female empowerment, and boy, did she deliver. Visbal’s inspiration for the Fearless Girl was a friend’s young daughter who embodied the spirit of fearlessness.
The model’s stance, with her hands on her hips and her head held high, was replicated in the final design of the statue. Visbal wanted the Fearless Girl to be relatable and inspire girls and women everywhere to be fearless in their pursuits. Visbal’s creation symbolized gender equality and women’s rights in the corporate world. A financial firm may have commissioned her, but the Fearless Girl belongs to the world. She inspires and motivates people everywhere to fight for equality and justice.
The Journey of the Fearless Girl Statue in New York
So, where did the Fearless Girl go after leaving Bowling Green Park? She moved to a new home before the New York Stock Exchange. No longer facing the Charging Bull, she now stands defiantly in front of a symbol of the financial world. Her journey from Bowling Green Park to Wall Street was more than a physical move. It was a symbolic one. The move to the New York Stock Exchange was significant. It placed the Fearless Girl at the heart of the financial district, reinforcing her message of gender equality in the corporate world.
She stands there now, fearless and defiant, challenging the financial world to do better. The Fearless Girl’s journey in New York is not just about her physical movements. It’s about her message’s journey, her impact, and the changes she continues to inspire. It’s about how she has been embraced by New Yorkers and visitors alike, becoming a beacon of hope and determination.
Exploring the Current Location of the Fearless Girl Statue
Now that we know where the Fearless Girl statue is, let’s explore her current location. Situated in front of the New York Stock Exchange, she stands on the cobblestoned Broad Street, looking up at the monumental building. This is a location steeped in history, where fortunes are made and lost, where the world’s financial heart beats. You can feel her defiance, courage, and determination as you stand with her. She is a minuscule figure in a world of towering buildings and powerful institutions, but she stands her ground, unafraid.
The Fearless Girl is a powerful reminder that we can make a difference no matter how small we seem. Her new location also makes her more accessible to the public. Visitors can get up close and personal with the Fearless Girl, take photos, and be inspired by her message. She is no longer a distant figure in a park but a tangible symbol of empowerment in the city’s heart.
The Controversy and the Legal Battle
The statue’s association with a large corporation did not go without controversy. The public and not private corporations usually own public monuments. This unique arrangement was a new phenomenon and put State Street’s intent under scrutiny. The controversy escalated when Kristen Visbal, the artist behind the Fearless Girl, got entangled in a legal battle with State Street. The firm accused Visbal of making unauthorized copies of the statue, violating their trademark. In response, Visbal turned to a novel approach to raise funds for her legal costs – creating a Non-Fungible Token (NFT) of the statue.
The Fearless Girl NFT: A Bold Move
In digital art, NFTs have emerged as a revolutionary concept. Visbal leveraged this trend to promote the feminist message behind the Fearless Girl and to fund her legal battle. She worked with digital art house 9ifx to release the Fearless Girl NFT drop “Superstar.” The NFT depicted Fearless Girl as a comet speeding through the solar system, landing triumphantly on the cobblestones of Bowling Green in an explosive burst of stardust. This move marked Visbal’s first new work since the initial unveiling of the statue and helped reframe the message of Fearless Girl.
Impact on Corporate Leadership
Since her installation, Fearless Girl has influenced corporate boardrooms. State Street’s campaign has pushed for more women on boards, with significant success. By 2024, 99% of companies in the Russell 3000 had at least one female director, up from 71% in 2017. Fearless Girl has helped reshape corporate leadership.
An Icon of Equality
Despite the controversies and legal battles, the Fearless Girl statue stands firm, symbolizing resilience and empowerment. It is more than just a bronze sculpture; it represents revolution, a beacon of hope, and an embodiment of equality. As we step into 2023, the location of the Fearless Girl remains the same. However, the city’s decision on the statue’s future will determine whether the Fearless Girl stands tall in New York’s heart or finds a new home. One thing is sure – no matter where she stands, the Fearless Girl will continue to inspire and empower for years to come.
“I am Fearless Girl in every sense of the name, not only in my lawsuit but also trying to forge these NFTs in a community that I am only starting to become part of–and I enjoy it!” – Kristen Visbal
