In a letter to the editor, 12-year-old girl calls out sexism at town parade

Julianne Speyer is hoping that through the letter she wrote to the editor of the Geauga County Maple Leaf, people will think twice before making sexist comments.

Speyer, 12, was marching with her Girl Scout troop during a Fourth of July parade in Chesterland, Ohio, earlier this month. They were behind a Boy Scout troop, and Speyer said the parade announcer called the boys "future leaders" while saying the girls were "just having fun." Speyer found the commentary "very sexist and patronizing," she wrote, and a friend suggested she share her thoughts in a letter to the editor.

Speyer said the comment was "an insult to both girls and women of all ages. This kind of thing happens way too much and it is not okay at all. I have always been taught that if you think something is unjust, change it. So, this is how I am making a change." Parade organizers said in a statement this was an "unfortunate misunderstanding of two unrelated comments," and "no disrespect [was] intended." Speyer said she's glad she was able to bring attention to the matter, and it's "not wrong to stand up for what you believe in."

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up