Launching today, ahead of the International Day of the Girl on October 11, Disney’s #DreamBigPrincess global video series features trailblazing women across technology, entertainment, medicine, law, sports, arts, science, fashion and politics—from Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy and entrepreneur Jo Malone CBE to Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts and Golden Globe® Award-winning actress Emily Blunt. The impressive roster of subjects includes a Canadian member of Parliament, a Chilean astronomer, an award-winning chef and restaurateur from Brazil and the CEO of the leading IT services company in Latin America. These 20 role models shared their stories with 21 aspiring young filmmakers from 13 countries to inspire the next generation to 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.”
Beginning today, the video series will be shared across social media to unlock a donation to Girl Up, a global leadership development initiative founded by the United Nations Foundation in 2010 to provide leadership training for girls and give them tools to become gender equality advocates and activists. From now through November 20, 2018, for every 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 to support girls’ leadership and empowerment (up to $1 million). The #DreamBigPrincess Global Photography series that launched last year unlocked a $1 million donation to Girl Up in less than five days.
“Last year’s donation from Disney has already had a huge impact, allowing us to extend our network of Girl Up clubs outside the U.S. by more than 50 percent, 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.”
Guests visiting Disney parks around the world on October 11, the International Day of the Girl, are invited to Disney bound in outfits inspired by their favorite female characters. On Saturday, October 13, Disney stores nationwide will celebrate the launch of the #DreamBigPrincess initiative with special in-store events.
The #DreamBigPrincess video series can be viewed in its entirety here, along with the biographies of the aspiring filmmakers and their interview subjects who span a wide range of professions:
- Asmaa Boujibar: Research scientist and the first Moroccan woman in history to join NASA Johnson Space Center.
- Ashima Narain: Photographer, filmmaker and former photo editor for National Geographic Traveler India.
- Blanca Treviño: President and CEO of Softtek, the leading IT services company in Latin America, champion for entrepreneurialism, IT and the role of women in business.
- Emily Blunt: Golden Globe Award-winning actress and star of upcoming Disney movies Mary Poppins Returns and Jungle Cruise.
- Celina Caesar-Chavannes: Canadian member of Parliament who served as Parliamentary Secretary to Prime Minister of Canada.
- Jennifer Lee: Chief creative officer at Walt Disney Animation Studios, writer and co-director of Disney’s Frozen for which she won the Academy Award® for Best Animated Feature.
- Jo Malone CBE: Founder and creative director of Jo Loves, responsible for creating some of the world’s most-loved fragrances, awarded a CBE in the 2018 Queen’s Birthday Honors List for her services to the British Economy and the GREAT Britain campaign.
- Karen Jonz: Brazilian skateboarder, designer and musician who won the 2008 X Games women’s vertical and the World Cup Skateboarding Championship four times, first Brazilian to win the title of World Champion.
- Karen Walker: Designer with a global, multimillion-dollar eponymous fashion label, awarded the Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to fashion design in 2014.
- Kathleen Kennedy: Film producer and president of Lucasfilm, has produced more than 60 films, including three of the highest-grossing movies in motion picture history.
- Leia Mi: Art director for Shanghai Disneyland who creates concept designs and provides art direction for Shanghai Disney Resort, was a creative designer at Walt Disney Imagineering.
- Maria Teresa Ruiz: Chilean astronomer, the first woman to study astronomy at the University of Chile, the first female scientist to receive a PhD in astrophysics from Princeton University and the first woman to receive Chile’s National Prize for Exact Sciences.
- Martina Stoessel: Actress and singer who played the leading role on the internationally successful Disney Channel telenovela Violetta, first Argentine singer to reach one million views on YouTube in less than 24 hours for her single “Te Quiero Mas.”
- Monica Lopez Hidalgo: Accomplished professor and researcher of neuroscience, one of the winners of the L’Oréal Unesco Conacyt AMC 2017 Scholarships for Women in Science for her research on the deterioration of cognitive functions related to age.
- Ndifanji Namacha: Medical doctor and assistant lecturer of public health, Malaria No More UK youth ambassador, delivered a keynote speech at the 2018 Malaria Summit in London.
- Paola Carosella: Award-winning chef and restaurateur, opened her first restaurant in São Paulo, Brazil, in 2001, has appeared as a judge on MasterChef Brazil since 2014.
- Robin Roberts: Award-winning broadcaster and co-anchor of ABC’s Good Morning America.
- Susan Prescott: Vice president of product marketing at Apple with more than 25 years of experience in the computing industry.
- Virginie Delalande: Founder of Handicapower, first deaf person to become a lawyer in France.
- Victoria Arlen: Accomplished motivational speaker, actress, model and swimmer, won three Silver medals and a Gold medal from the London 2012 Paralympic Games, joined ESPN as one of the company’s youngest on-air talents.
“We have the responsibility to hand that baton of self-belief and positivity to the next generation,” says Jo Malone CBE, 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, who was interviewed by Marisa Torre, age 17.
“The #DreamBigPrincess series documents a host of inspiring stories and diverse experiences, but the common message is clear,” says Zenia Mucha, Senior Executive Vice President, Communications, The Walt Disney Company. “Having a big dream is the first step on the path to success, and positive role models are critical in helping you continue on that journey—whether that’s a fictional entrepreneur like Tiana or a real-world success story like any of the women in this series.”