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Marked globally by the United Nations, International Day of the Girl is a designated day for communities and policymakers to discuss how to end discrimination against girls and create opportunities for girls to reach their full potential.
By lighting the Empire State Building red, Fairfield-based Save the Children is raising awareness of these issues and illuminating the need to educate and empower girls around the world.
Carolyn Miles, Save the Children’s president & CEO, joined Fanning as well as Kate and two other girls — Colette Prainito of Farmingville, N.Y., and Antonella Garcia of Basking Ridge, N.J. — who are Save the Children child sponsors, as well as Miracle Jones of Blackville, S.C., a sponsored girl.
Kate is in sixth grade at Sacred Heart Greenwich. She received a sponsorship as a Christmas gift a couple years ago, and the following year, asked for another one.
A sponsorship provides a child somewhere in the world with essential aid and education to improve their well-being. Kate sponsors one girl in Ethiopia and another girl in Uganda. She loves exchanging letters and drawings with kids across the world, and learning about their daily lives there.
The Empire State Building was lit up at sunset to recognize girls and the unique challenges they face globally.
“Worldwide, girls are far more likely to miss out on school, marry too early and grow up too fast,” said Miles. “People often talk about women’s empowerment, but that begins with girls. Together, we need to do more to ensure every last girl has a childhood, and a better and brighter future. That’s why today, on International Day of the Girl, Save the Children is shining a light on girls.”
Throughout the world, girls are frequently marginalized in their families, communities and societies. By lighting the Empire State Building red, Save the Children aims to raise awareness of these issues and illuminate the need to educate and empower girls around the world.
“Every girl deserves to follow her dreams no matter where she comes from or what her circumstances are,” said Fanning, known for roles in notable films such as “I Am Sam,” “The Runaways,” “The Twilight Saga” and the upcoming “American Pastoral.”
“The first step in doing that is bringing attention to the barriers girls face globally. The second step is empowering young girls to reach their full potential. This is why I am here today, honoring International Day of the Girl and lighting up the Empire State Building with Save the Children.”
To join Fanning as a child sponsor and learn more, visit https://sponsor.savethechildren.org/.
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