McKenna Pope
Youth Activist | Toy Industry Reform and Consumer Advocacy
About
McKenna Pope gained international recognition as a teenage activist when she launched a campaign challenging gender stereotypes in the toy industry. Her advocacy work, which she presented at TED 2013, demonstrates how young people can drive meaningful change by identifying everyday injustices and taking action to address them.
Pope's approach to activism centers on the idea that meaningful social change can start with seemingly small issues that reflect larger systemic problems. Her work illustrates how consumer advocacy and grassroots organizing can pressure major corporations to reconsider their marketing practices and product development strategies.
Through her TED talk "Want to be an activist? Start with your toys," she has inspired countless young people to recognize their own power to create change in their communities and beyond.
Talks1
Want to be an activist? Start with your toys
McKenna Pope's younger brother loved to cook, but he worried about using an Easy-Bake Oven -- because it was a toy for girls. So at age 13, Pope started an online petition for the American toy company Hasbro to change the pink-and-purple color scheme on the classic toy and incorporate boys into its TV marketing. In a heartening talk, Pope makes the case for gender-neutral toys and gives a rousing call to action to all kids who feel powerless.
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