Cinema’s new Wonder Woman, Gal Gadot, has repeatedly said throughout the year and ahead of the film’s release, that one of her goals was for Wonder Woman to become a role model for young girls, as a strong yet compassionate woman who seeks to help humankind. This week, Gal herself took a step in that direction, as she wrote an emotional response on Facebook to a seven-year-old child who sent her a moving, handwritten letter.
The letter, written in Hebrew by Zoey Vardi-Bar from Israel, was posted on Facebook by her mother, Liat Vardi-Bar. Written in red and blue markers, the letter speaks of Zoey’s admiration towards Gal, and her apparent disappointment with not being able to find some merchandise bearing Wonder Woman’s likeness. It also includes a heart with Gal’s name inside it.
“Dear Gal. I love Wonder Woman very much, meaning it’s you. So if you don’t mind could you please create games, pajamas and surfboards of Wonder Woman. With love Zoey Vardi Bar. I am 7.5-years-old.”
Zoey’s mother explained that earlier this week, she took her daughter, who is “a feminist ever since she was born,” to shop for Wonder Woman towels, surfboards, or bedding – but couldn’t find any. The next morning, Zoey’s letter was waiting on the kitchen table with a request – “Mom, please send this to Gal Gadot.”
The proud mother then posted a photo of the letter on Facebook, hoping it would reach Gal, and whoever’s responsible for the Wonder Woman merchandising in Israel.
Gal Gadot, who was born and raised in Israel (and therefore speaks Hebrew), was quickly tagged in the comments – and it worked, as the actress personally replied to Zoey’s letter a few days after it was written.
“Sweet Zoey. I was very happy to read your letter. You have a really beautiful handwriting. Well done! I’m not responsible for pajamas and surfboards, but I think it’s a really good idea and we certainly need to find whoever is responsible for this and tell him to create games, pajamas and surfboards of Wonder Woman.
You are very smart and creative. I wonder what you would like to be when you grow up. In the meantime I’m sending you a big hug. Gal.”
Following Gal’s response, Zoey’s mother took to Facebook again, saying she now admires Gal, who “has a superpower of remaining a human being even when she has the power to stop the Earth.”
“This is just a small letter from a 7.5-year-old girl who will be so excited when she returns from school,” the mother added. “But in my eyes it’s huge, and it tells us so much about this woman, who is a Wonder Woman on the outside – and, as it turns out – also on the inside.”
https://www.facebook.com/liatvardibar/posts/10159020000545105?pnref=story
Ahead of Wonder Woman’s release, there’s been a lot of criticism over Wonder Woman’s skimpy outfit , and how the character might not, in fact, be a good role model for young girls. As reported by the Inquisitr , Gal Gadot believed just the opposite, saying the skin-tight costume doesn’t hurt feminism – but is a part of it.
“I think as a feminist, you should be able to wear whatever you like! In any case, there is such a misunderstanding of the concept. Feminism is about equality and choice and freedom.”
According to Gal, Wonder Woman has no awareness of our society’s social roles, she has no gender boundaries, and in her eyes, everyone is equal. Gal, who has a six-year-old daughter of her own, also spoke of how it was important for her daughter to have strong, female role models – such as Wonder Woman.
“Wonder Woman believes she can do everything,” Gal explained, “She is fearless, she is proactive, and that’s a true woman for me.”
Wonder Woman , directed by Patty Jenkins, is now in theaters around the world, and has already broken several records, among them – having the highest-ever US opening weekend for a film directed by a woman, making $100.5 million at the US box-office.
[Featured Image by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images]