Despite the protest, the United Nations named the comic book character Wonder Woman as its new Honorary Ambassador for the Empowerment of Woman and Girls on its 75th birthday.
U.N. staffer Cass DuRant, who held a sign saying “Real Women Deserve a Real Ambassador,” said the protesters “don’t think that a fictitious comic book characters wearing basically what looks like a Playboy-type bunny outfit is really the right message we need to send to girls or even boys for that matter.”
The United States will use the super heroine’s image on social media platforms to promote women’s empowerment, including on gender-based violence and the fuller participation of women in public life (using the hashtag WithWonderWoman i.e., #WithWonderWoman).
But an online petition , started by U.N. staffers, asked the secretary-general to reconsider the appointment, saying, “The message the United Nations is sending to the world with this appointment is extremely disappointing. The bottom line appears to be that the United Nations was unable to find a real life woman that would be able to champion the rights of all women on the issue of gender equality and the fight for their empowerment."
Diane Nelson, president of DC Entertainment, gave a speech in which she argued that stories even comic book stories can "inspire, teach and reveal injustices."
Carter, who gave a moving speech about how Wonder Woman embodies the inner strength of every woman, said, "Please embrace her. To all those who don't think it's a good idea, stand up and be counted."
"It's OK that not everyone agrees, but get over it and say, 'What else is new?'"
The actress noted that she has weathered criticism of the role for years.
"In the beginning, in the '70s, it was 'Well, she's objectified.' It's like, 'She's too tall, she's too this, she's too this,"' Carter said. 'Oh, she wants to be a feminist?"'
As for Gadot, she said after the event that, "I'm the kind of person who always looks at the half-full glass. I care for the people who care and I'm here for a wonderful cause today."
She added, through a thin smile, "That's all what my focus is."
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