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Bebeto Matthews AP/Press Association Images

'Fearless Girl' to continue staring down the Wall Street bull until 2018

“She is inspiring everyone in a moment when we need inspiration,” New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said.

ORIGINALLY SET UP to coincide with International Women’s Day, the statue of a little girl facing down the Wall Street Bull will stay where it is until March 2018, New York City mayor Bill de Blasio has confirmed.

With a swinging ponytail and hands firmly planted on her hips, the “Fearless Girl” statue had been granted a stay until 2 April and this has now been extended by 11 months.

The idea behind the statue, created by artist Kristen Visbal, is to make the point that there is a real dearth of women on the boards of the largest US corporations.

It was commissioned by investment giant State Street Global Advisors, who call on companies to increase the number of women directors at their firms.

A plaque at her feet reads: “Know the power of women in leadership. SHE makes a difference”.

De Blasio said that the statue “means so much to the people of New York”, particularly the city’s female population.

She’s “standing up to fear, standing up to power, being able to find in yourself the strength to do what’s right,” the Democrat mayor said.

NY: NYC Mayor De Blasio holds press conference and photo-op with Fearless Girl sculpture Mayor de Blasio with the statue Albin Lohr-Jones / SIPA USA/PA Images Albin Lohr-Jones / SIPA USA/PA Images / SIPA USA/PA Images

De Blasio said that the statue was particularly relevant in a time of political turmoil with the current President Donald Trump:

Sometimes a symbol helps us become whole and I think the Fearless Girl is having that same effect. She is inspiring everyone in a moment when we need inspiration.

“She spoke to the moment,” he added.

Visbal chose to depict a young girl to show others that it is possible for them to forge a career on Wall Street, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer said.

She was referring to a recent report showing that fewer than 20% of board seats of S&P 500 companies are occupied by women.

“We can issue all the reports we want,” Brewer said, “they will have not have the symbol a sculpture does.”

“Fearless Girl” will occupy the space until the next International Women’s Day on 8 March 2018.

With reporting from AFP - © – AFP, 2017

Read: ‘Fearless girl’ stares down the iconic Wall Street bull

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