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Tell JCPenney to stop promoting sexist messaging to girls
  1. Signatures
    1,627 out of 2,500
    Petitioning
    1. Chairman & CEO, J. C. Penney (Mike Ulman III)
  2. Created By
    Lauren Todd
    Brooklyn, NY
About this Petition Petition Letter Petition Updates
How We Won

Aug 31, 2011

JC Penney has issued a statement promising to stop the sales of the sexist t-shirt: 

We agree that the “Too pretty” t-shirt does not deliver an appropriate message, and we have immediately discontinued its sale.  Our merchandise is intended to appeal to a broad customer base, not to offend them. We would like to apologize for any concern we may have caused and assure you that we are taking action to ensure that we continue to uphold the integrity of our merchandise that [our customers] have come to expect.

Thank you to all the signers who took quick action to speak out against sexist messaging to girls!

 

Why This Is Important

UPDATE: Jezebel.com found another shirt that lists girls' best subjects as"Boys, Shopping, Music, & Dancing:" Keep signing if you want to see that one removed too!

***

Under the guise of being 'cute,' J. C. Penney is promoting merchandise that encourages girls to value looks over brains; to leave academics to the boys, and to aspire to nothing more than fawning after Justin Bieber.

A shirt for sale for girls ages 7-16 reads:

"I'm too pretty to do homework, so my brother has to do it for me."

The caption next to it reads:

"Who has time for homework when there's a new Justin Bieber album out? She'll love this tee that's just as cute and sassy as she is."

In a world where women are fighting for respect and equality, J.C. Penney is promoting a message in the vein of Matel's talking Barbie who bemoaned, "math is hard, let's go shopping."  Here, girls are being told that their brains are not valuable, only their looks, and that being smart is for boys only.  This disgusting message may have been common in the 1950s, but it is 2011, and times have changed for the better. Tell J.C. Penney "I won't shop here until you stop selling merchandise with sexist messaging."

Why People Are Signing
Recent Signatures

Stop selling clothing with sexist messages for girls

Dear friend,

I just signed the following petition addressed to: Mike Ulman III, CEO & Chairman of J.C. Penney.

----------------
Under the guise of being 'cute,' J. C. Penney is promoting merchandise that encourages girls to value looks over brains; to leave academics to the boys, and to aspire to nothing more than fawning after Justin Bieber.

A shirt for sale for girls ages 7-16 reads:

"I'm too pretty to do homework, so my brother has to do it for me."

The caption next to it reads:

"Who has time for homework when there's a new Justin Bieber album out? She'll love this tee that's just as cute and sassy as she is."

In a world where women are fighting for respect and equality, J.C. Penney is promoting a message in the vein of Matel's talking Barbie who bemoaned, "math is hard, let's go shopping." Here, girls are being told that their brains are not valuable, only their looks, and that being smart is for boys only. This disgusting message may have been common in the 1950s, but it is 2011, and times have changed for the better. Tell J.C. Penney "I won't shop here until you stop selling merchandise with sexist messaging."

Sincerely,

[Your name]