Female Trailblazers Share Advice For The Next Generation On International Day Of The Girl

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- In celebration of International Day of the Girl, Disney launched a new global video series offering advice and inspiration on achieving success for the next generation of young leaders around the globe. The #DreamBigPrincess video series, produced and directed by young women from the United Nations Foundation's Girl Up initiative, shares the stories of 20 trailblazing women across technology, entertainment, medicine, law, sports, arts, science, fashion and politics to show the next generation what's possible if you dream big.

"Dreaming big is one of the most important things any of us can do – to keep aiming higher," says Kathleen Kennedy, President of Lucasfilm, who was interviewed for the series by Maud Webster, age 16, from the UK. "The #DreamBigPrincess series is giving a voice to a group of talented young women, helping them tell stories that kids can learn from, whatever their ambition."

Disney provided mentorship support for the 21 Girl Up leaders from different corners of the globe as they captured the stories of a diverse group of role models in digital shorts. Each video will be shared across Disney's global media platforms as part of a campaign to unlock up to a $1 million donation to Girl Up, an initiative of the UN Foundation to support girls' leadership. For each like or share of a video or photo posted publicly with #DreamBigPrincess on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, Disney Worldwide Services will donate US $1 to Girl Up in support of girls' leadership and empowerment (minimum donation: $500,000/maximum donation: $1 million). This charitable initiative runs from October 10, 2018 until November 20, 2018.

"We have the responsibility to hand that baton of self-belief and positivity to the next generation," says Jo Malone CBE, Entrepreneur and Founder of Jo Loves, who was interviewed by Bethel Kyeza, age 16. "Storytelling can help us believe that no matter who we are or where we come from, we have every right to write the story of our own life and fulfill it."

"There's a line in Mary Poppins where she says anything is possible, even the impossible. I think that really symbolizes what dreaming big is all about, the idea if you want something big enough that the universe is going to conspire to give it to you," says Emily Blunt, Golden Globe Award-winning actress who was interviewed by Marisa Torre, age 17.

Spanning a host of professions, an accomplished roster of women share their tips for success in the 20-part series:  Asmaa Boujibar, research scientist; Ashima Narain, photographer and filmmaker; Blanca Treviño, Softtek president and CEO; Emily Blunt, Golden Globe Award-winning actress; Celina Caesar-Chavannes, Canadian member of Parliament; Jennifer Lee, chief creative officer at Walt Disney Animation Studios; Jo Malone CBE, founder and creative director of Jo Loves; Karen Jonz, Brazilian skateboarder, designer and musician; Karen Walker, fashion designer; Kathleen Kennedy, film producer and president of Lucasfilm; Leia Mi, art director for Shanghai Disneyland; Maria Teresa Ruiz, Chilean astronomer; Martina Stoessel, Argentinian actress and singer; Monica Lopez Hidalgo, accomplished professor and researcher of neuroscience; Dr. Ndifanji Namacha, medical doctor and assistant lecturer of public health; Paola Carosella, award-winning chef and restaurateur; Robin Roberts, award-winning broadcaster and co-anchor of ABC's Good Morning America; Susan Prescott, vice president of product marketing at Apple; Virginie Delalande, founder of Handicapower; Victoria Arlen, ESPN host and Paralympian.

The aspiring filmmakers embarked on their creative journeys back in July, with ongoing mentorship from Disney, Apple and female-led production company Summerjax ahead of the series debut. Each video was shot on iPhone X and edited using Final Cut Pro X running on MacBook Pro.  

"It's important to have role models – and by role models I mean the 21 girls that are part of the 'Dream Big, Princess' project – out there to inspire other girls," says Susan Prescott, Vice President of Product Marketing at Apple, who was interviewed by Jessica Zhang, age 16. "I think it's important to recognize their talents, let them have a voice and show the great things they can do."

"Last year's donation from Disney has already had a huge impact, allowing us to extend our network of Girl Up clubs outside the US by more than 50%, giving more girls the leadership skills they need to advocate for themselves and others," says Girl Up Co-Executive Director, Melissa Kilby. "We're so proud of the series that our young Girl Up leaders have created and hope people around the world will play their part in supporting the rights of girls by liking and sharing them on social media."

This year's video series builds on the success of the #DreamBigPrincess Global Photography series, which saw 19 female photographers from 15 countries capture inspiring stories of real-world women and girls to encourage kids to reach for their goals. The campaign reached millions of families around the world unlocking a $1 million donation to Girl Up in less than five days. The images from the multi-award-winning campaign were also honored with an exhibition at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.

The initiative is part of Disney's ongoing Dream Big, Princess campaign that encourages kids everywhere to dream big by highlighting key story moments and inspiring qualities that each Disney Princess showcases through her adventures, such as Merida's bravery, Cinderella's kindness or Tiana's perseverance. Disney is committed to helping today's youth create the future they imagine by providing them with inspiration and opportunity through transformative programming, of which this campaign is an example.

Disney stores nationwide will also celebrate the launch of the initiative with in-store Dream Big, Princess events on Saturday, October 13th.

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About The Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries, is a diversified worldwide entertainment company with operations in four business segments: Media Networks; Studio Entertainment; Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products; and Direct-to-Consumer and International. Disney is a Dow 30 company and had annual revenues of $55.1 billion in its Fiscal Year 2017.

About Girl Up
Girl Up is a global leadership development initiative, positioning girls to be leaders in the movement for gender equality. With resources in five languages and more than 2,200 Girl Up Clubs in over 100 countries,  Girl Up has trained 40,000 girls of all backgrounds to create tangible change for girls everywhere. Girl Up provides leadership training and gives girls tools to become gender equality advocates and activists. Through their programs, girls broaden their social impact skill set, receive a platform to tell their stories, and apply STEM for social good. These girl leaders create real policy change at local and national levels, raise millions of dollars to support United Nations programs that reach tens of thousands of girls around the world, and build community-based movements. Girl Up is an initiative of the UN Foundation, working across a global community of partners to achieve gender equality worldwide. Learn more at GirlUp.org.

About the United Nations Foundation
The United Nations Foundation acts as a strategic partner to help the United Nations mobilize the ideas, people, and resources it needs to deliver and to grow a durable constituency for collective action. We focus on issues at the heart of the Sustainable Development Goals, build initiatives across sectors to solve problems at scale, and engage citizens who seek action. Founded in 1998 by entrepreneur and philanthropist Ted Turner, the UN Foundation works with philanthropic, corporate, government, and individual partners. Learn more at: www.unfoundation.org.

SOURCE The Walt Disney Company