12 Year-Old Girl Publicly Shuts Down A Sexist Announcer And Is Going Viral For Not Staying Quiet
Twelve-year-old Julianne Speyer from Chesterland, Ohio became an example of someone who knows how to stand up for what she believes in. After hearing a sexist comment about Girl Scouts from an announcer during a 4th of July parade, she decided she couldn’t stay quiet.
Julianne was marching in the parade when the announcer introduced the Boy Scouts as “future leaders of America,” and said that the Girl Scouts were “just having fun.” The proud Girl Scout and her friends were offended by the statement, and told Cleveland 19 indignantly, “girls could be anything they want.” The young scout decided it was time to take matters into her own hands and change people’s attitude towards the Girl Scouts. She wrote a letter to a local newspaper sharing her stance on the issue and not only was it published, but a photo of the newspaper excerpt went viral. Julianne’s message was well received and many people praised her for her courage to speak up for what she believes in.
To celebrate Julianne and other Girl Scouts as the future leaders, a supporter of Julianne’s started a Go Fund Me campaign. All funds will go directly to Girl Scouts.
Read the powerful letter below!
12-year-old Julianne Speyer from Chesterland, Ohio became an example of someone who knows how to stand up for what she believes in
Image credits: cleveland19
After hearing a sexist comment about Girl Scouts from an announcer during a 4th of July parade, she decided she couldn’t stay quiet
Image credits: cleveland19
The announcer introduced the Boy Scouts as “future leaders of America,” and said that the Girl Scouts were “just having fun”
Image credits: Sia Nyorkor
She wrote a letter to a local newspaper sharing her stance on the issue and not only was it published, but a photo of the newspaper excerpt went viral
Image credits: Christina Znidarsic
The vast majority of people praised Julianne for her courage
Some people shared a different opinion on the issue
46Kviews
Share on FacebookScrew the idiot who said "sticks and stones break my bones but words will never hurt me". Words can definitely hurt and anyone who's been emotionally abused (silently raises hand) can definitely understand that. I'm proud of her for standing up to them.
This is a 'trivial' thing to be offended amount? Some douche just referenced her and her whole organization as just 'having fun' while the boys, who are doing basically the same stuff, as 'future leaders'. Julianne's offense is completely justified and I feel sorry for those women who don't think higher of themselves. Seems like a lot of them just try to stick to the status quo, blend in, and try not to ruffle any man's feathers...
Ignoring sexism allows it to continue. This is how the announcer sees genders. He needs to be corrected. His parents failed and now a child has to fix him.
Load More Replies...I saw this on Instagram yesterday... most of the comments were: "Make me a sandwich." Comments degrading her had over 600 likes. This only proves that we still need to fight for female equality.
Actually, those negative comments are a very real warning. The past couple years have shown how readily a people can slide backwards and yet again take the counsel of fear and hatred. There are many too many for whom equality is still an unpalatable concept. I'll never understand it, but I, like the young heroic lady, will keep on fighting for true equality. Short answer: Don't underestimate the forces of reaction and bigotry. We have to always be stronger than them.
Load More Replies...It breaks my heart the women that don't see and don't understand how that is part of a bigger trivialization of women and what we do, making us soft, pathetic, and silly little girls. Men are future leaders, while girls are silly. Yes, be offended, yell it from the rooftops. You will not speak of me as soft and silly! When the announcer sees girls as strong and as capable as boys, we can stop being offended.
the funny part is that, when I was in the boy scouts, I kinda wanted to join the 'sister' troop. They did more 'serious' camping/backpacking w/e. And my troop was one of five to go do the winter camping when it was forty below out (the only troop to not be in cabins, as well.) so anybody who says that kind of stuff is just an outdated moron. (and should be told as such).
Load More Replies...We live in a patriarchal society, maintained to this day by many of the 'norms' we are accustomed to. From our parents, who were from an entirely different generation, to the bible, women are supposed to look pretty, be submissive to men and do all the 'domestic' tasks, like housework and cooking. We cannot change this in a minute or two. It takes time and a steady dialogue, as well as, continued actions by women, before the tide will turn. This young lady is an asset to our cause!
I don't think people are reading beyond your opening statements. Yes - it is a patriarchal society and recognising that (and the mess it has caused) is important. You can't change what you don't understand.
Load More Replies...Am I wrong for being surprised that you support her? Like it’s definitely logical to support her and I suspect you’re a logical person but you also seem to be kind of anti social justice and not exactly pro equality of opportunity.
Load More Replies...This young lady is a bright future. Of she keeps quiet like many women and girls are always told then no change will happen. The fact that women have now the right to vote was not by staying quiet. I can't belive that was a thing to begin with. Ugh. Women...i am a man and i am on your side. This isn't only about equality. This is about being seen as a human being. My ancestors and many before us led the world through matriarchs. Patriarchs was the cause of the fall of many of these civilizations and they continue to do the same today. Of this young girl and many women keep quiet....then we are doomed. This is how history repeats itself....i mean look at the buffoon in the white house. The egos of these men is so fragile...yet we tell women to have thicker skin. They have had and continue too for yours but enough is enough when it comes to abuse. I can go on for a long time on this. I am a gay male feminist.
That last sentence: Yes! You don't have to be a girl to be a feminist.
Load More Replies...Daniel Michael needs to get his head out of his 1960's a*s. The previous girl scouts organization used to teach homemaking, child rearing and basic crafts. Todays Girl Scouts are learning self defense, survival training, camping, boating, fishing, basic mechanics and emergency services training as well as all the traditional subjects. So because Girl Scouts have expanded their educational training, but Boy Scouts are still learning the same old basic knot tying and totem courses..does that mean the Girl Scouts have now surpassed the Boy Scouts? Wouldn't that make them the future leaders of America while the Boy Scouts are the ones "just having fun?"
Here's a radical idea... can we get rid of Miss and Mrs? For men, there is only Mr. Even in this day and age women are still categorized by their marital status. Have Mr for men and Ms for women!
Language constantly changes, so I'd need to update myself on the recent official rules, but I do remember that in the past decade (the 2000s), it was official thay in English "Mrs." was not used anymore (if there was someone still using it, it was a matter of habit), while in Italian, Ms. turned to Mrs. signorina (Ms., or "young lady") → signora (Mrs., or "lady").
Load More Replies...Who is this announcer?! Let's remove gender for a moment. What moron would insult a group of people marching a parade?
a dolt. I am, however, a little surprised the announcer didn't get it then and there. Either from women attending as spectators, the troop leaders, mothers of the troop, or fathers. If he said that about my daughter....(but she's not in the scouts. too busy beating the boys at robotics.)
Load More Replies...Good for her! She heard someone say something absolutely stupid, and took a stand. I'm proud of her! All the people patronizing the girl for standing up for her beliefs are a bunch of losers and nothing more.
I would have also liked to have seen a transcript of what was said. We absolutely need to have more people bring what this appears to be up and help stop the stigmatization that seems rampant at times. At the same time we have the new age of trying to make something from nothing because it seems to be the new trend. Examples that come to mind would be the post on BP about the person who was excited to be accepted to college. So having the context to make a judgment about something as wrong or not is important. I doubt this to be the case here, but what if it wasn't. That person's life could be hugely impacted by the following this would have. And if it is justified then that was their fault. If it was not then that would be terrible.
Can I just say (in the UK at least) girls are allowed in the boy scouts. So they aren't favouring boys per se. Not sure if this is true in America (if not, catch up!).
Words are more painful than physical attacks. Say you break your arm (Which I have done) You will almost certainly survive and recover. If someone insults you, targets you and verbally abuses you, that'll stay with you forever. I hate that phrase. "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will rip your heart out and tear you to pieces."
Of course some jerks always try to ruin it with their negativity, but I'm very proud of this young lady.
this wasn't true when I was in the scouts- and that was 15 or 20 years ago. the sister troop definitely was more 'hard core' camping than we were. I was more than a little jealous of it.
Load More Replies...Um....every way? I'm all for equality but, it's that "f**k em" mentality that actually slows the women's rights movement. Men won't take you seriously if all you spew is hate.
Load More Replies...Neither needs to be better than the next. Feminism is not a competition or a way to make women superior, it's about making us equal, giving us choice of who we want to be.
Load More Replies...Spelling ability doesn't alter the strength of the message. It it weakens it for some people, they're concentrating on t he wrong thing.
Load More Replies...Screw the idiot who said "sticks and stones break my bones but words will never hurt me". Words can definitely hurt and anyone who's been emotionally abused (silently raises hand) can definitely understand that. I'm proud of her for standing up to them.
This is a 'trivial' thing to be offended amount? Some douche just referenced her and her whole organization as just 'having fun' while the boys, who are doing basically the same stuff, as 'future leaders'. Julianne's offense is completely justified and I feel sorry for those women who don't think higher of themselves. Seems like a lot of them just try to stick to the status quo, blend in, and try not to ruffle any man's feathers...
Ignoring sexism allows it to continue. This is how the announcer sees genders. He needs to be corrected. His parents failed and now a child has to fix him.
Load More Replies...I saw this on Instagram yesterday... most of the comments were: "Make me a sandwich." Comments degrading her had over 600 likes. This only proves that we still need to fight for female equality.
Actually, those negative comments are a very real warning. The past couple years have shown how readily a people can slide backwards and yet again take the counsel of fear and hatred. There are many too many for whom equality is still an unpalatable concept. I'll never understand it, but I, like the young heroic lady, will keep on fighting for true equality. Short answer: Don't underestimate the forces of reaction and bigotry. We have to always be stronger than them.
Load More Replies...It breaks my heart the women that don't see and don't understand how that is part of a bigger trivialization of women and what we do, making us soft, pathetic, and silly little girls. Men are future leaders, while girls are silly. Yes, be offended, yell it from the rooftops. You will not speak of me as soft and silly! When the announcer sees girls as strong and as capable as boys, we can stop being offended.
the funny part is that, when I was in the boy scouts, I kinda wanted to join the 'sister' troop. They did more 'serious' camping/backpacking w/e. And my troop was one of five to go do the winter camping when it was forty below out (the only troop to not be in cabins, as well.) so anybody who says that kind of stuff is just an outdated moron. (and should be told as such).
Load More Replies...We live in a patriarchal society, maintained to this day by many of the 'norms' we are accustomed to. From our parents, who were from an entirely different generation, to the bible, women are supposed to look pretty, be submissive to men and do all the 'domestic' tasks, like housework and cooking. We cannot change this in a minute or two. It takes time and a steady dialogue, as well as, continued actions by women, before the tide will turn. This young lady is an asset to our cause!
I don't think people are reading beyond your opening statements. Yes - it is a patriarchal society and recognising that (and the mess it has caused) is important. You can't change what you don't understand.
Load More Replies...Am I wrong for being surprised that you support her? Like it’s definitely logical to support her and I suspect you’re a logical person but you also seem to be kind of anti social justice and not exactly pro equality of opportunity.
Load More Replies...This young lady is a bright future. Of she keeps quiet like many women and girls are always told then no change will happen. The fact that women have now the right to vote was not by staying quiet. I can't belive that was a thing to begin with. Ugh. Women...i am a man and i am on your side. This isn't only about equality. This is about being seen as a human being. My ancestors and many before us led the world through matriarchs. Patriarchs was the cause of the fall of many of these civilizations and they continue to do the same today. Of this young girl and many women keep quiet....then we are doomed. This is how history repeats itself....i mean look at the buffoon in the white house. The egos of these men is so fragile...yet we tell women to have thicker skin. They have had and continue too for yours but enough is enough when it comes to abuse. I can go on for a long time on this. I am a gay male feminist.
That last sentence: Yes! You don't have to be a girl to be a feminist.
Load More Replies...Daniel Michael needs to get his head out of his 1960's a*s. The previous girl scouts organization used to teach homemaking, child rearing and basic crafts. Todays Girl Scouts are learning self defense, survival training, camping, boating, fishing, basic mechanics and emergency services training as well as all the traditional subjects. So because Girl Scouts have expanded their educational training, but Boy Scouts are still learning the same old basic knot tying and totem courses..does that mean the Girl Scouts have now surpassed the Boy Scouts? Wouldn't that make them the future leaders of America while the Boy Scouts are the ones "just having fun?"
Here's a radical idea... can we get rid of Miss and Mrs? For men, there is only Mr. Even in this day and age women are still categorized by their marital status. Have Mr for men and Ms for women!
Language constantly changes, so I'd need to update myself on the recent official rules, but I do remember that in the past decade (the 2000s), it was official thay in English "Mrs." was not used anymore (if there was someone still using it, it was a matter of habit), while in Italian, Ms. turned to Mrs. signorina (Ms., or "young lady") → signora (Mrs., or "lady").
Load More Replies...Who is this announcer?! Let's remove gender for a moment. What moron would insult a group of people marching a parade?
a dolt. I am, however, a little surprised the announcer didn't get it then and there. Either from women attending as spectators, the troop leaders, mothers of the troop, or fathers. If he said that about my daughter....(but she's not in the scouts. too busy beating the boys at robotics.)
Load More Replies...Good for her! She heard someone say something absolutely stupid, and took a stand. I'm proud of her! All the people patronizing the girl for standing up for her beliefs are a bunch of losers and nothing more.
I would have also liked to have seen a transcript of what was said. We absolutely need to have more people bring what this appears to be up and help stop the stigmatization that seems rampant at times. At the same time we have the new age of trying to make something from nothing because it seems to be the new trend. Examples that come to mind would be the post on BP about the person who was excited to be accepted to college. So having the context to make a judgment about something as wrong or not is important. I doubt this to be the case here, but what if it wasn't. That person's life could be hugely impacted by the following this would have. And if it is justified then that was their fault. If it was not then that would be terrible.
Can I just say (in the UK at least) girls are allowed in the boy scouts. So they aren't favouring boys per se. Not sure if this is true in America (if not, catch up!).
Words are more painful than physical attacks. Say you break your arm (Which I have done) You will almost certainly survive and recover. If someone insults you, targets you and verbally abuses you, that'll stay with you forever. I hate that phrase. "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will rip your heart out and tear you to pieces."
Of course some jerks always try to ruin it with their negativity, but I'm very proud of this young lady.
this wasn't true when I was in the scouts- and that was 15 or 20 years ago. the sister troop definitely was more 'hard core' camping than we were. I was more than a little jealous of it.
Load More Replies...Um....every way? I'm all for equality but, it's that "f**k em" mentality that actually slows the women's rights movement. Men won't take you seriously if all you spew is hate.
Load More Replies...Neither needs to be better than the next. Feminism is not a competition or a way to make women superior, it's about making us equal, giving us choice of who we want to be.
Load More Replies...Spelling ability doesn't alter the strength of the message. It it weakens it for some people, they're concentrating on t he wrong thing.
Load More Replies...
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