Wonder Woman Dropped as UN Ambassador Amid Protests

POTOMAC, MD — Wonder Woman may be armed with a Lasso of Truth and indestructible bracelets, but she isn’t invincible when faced with a social media firestorm of protest. In October the DC Comics superhero was named an Honorary Ambassador for the Empowerment of Women and Girls by the United Nations to raise awareness gender equality and empowerment of women and girls.

This week will be the last week the image is used as ambassador, which DC Comics is trying to downplay as an intended phase-out of the heroine. But the fierce criticism of the comic image — a well-endowed white woman in a racy costume — may have led to its hasty expiration.

The designation of Wonder Woman as ambassador was celebrated in New York on Oct. 21 by UN officials and actresses who have played the iconic role over the years, including actress and Potomac, Maryland, resident Lynda Carter, who starred in the TV series “Wonder Woman” from 1975 to 1979. Gal Gadot, who plays Wonder Woman in an upcoming movie, also attended the launch of the global campaign in October to mark the character’s 75th year.

But the move was controversial from the start, with detractors arguing that Wonder Woman may have been started as a feminist, but is today portrayed as a sex symbol. An online petition denouncing the symbolic appointment has received nearly 45,000 signatures so far, and it suggests that there is a wealth of real women working around the world who could be chosen to better represent the UN’s campaign.

The petition creators say in part:

“Although the original creators may have intended Wonder Woman to represent a strong and independent ‘warrior’ woman with a feminist message, the reality is that the character’s current iteration is that of a large breasted, white woman of impossible proportions, scantily clad in a shimmery, thigh-baring body suit with an American flag motif and knee high boots – the epitome of a ‘pin-up’ girl. This is the character that the United Nations has decided to represent a globally important issue – that of gender equality and empowerment of women and girls."

Courtney Simmons, a spokeswoman for DC Entertainment, the parent company of the comics franchise, told NBC News that the company was "extremely pleased with the awareness" that the partnership brought to efforts to promote the rights and achievements of women and girls. A Wonder Woman comic book will be released as planned in the spring dedicated to the empowerment of woman and girls remain on course, she said.

"Wonder Woman stands for peace, justice and equality, and for 75 years she has been a motivating force for many and will continue to be long after the conclusion of her U.N. honorary ambassadorship," Simmons said.

But the initial announcement of the selection was met with protest in October, as an estimated 50 United Nations staffers stood up during the ceremony and turned their back to the stage, some with their fists in the air, NBC reported.

The aim of the UN campaign was to use Wonder Woman's strength and fight for justice and peace to focus on five areas:

• Speaking out against discrimination and limitations on women and girls;
• Joining forces with others against gender-based violence and abuse;
• Supporting full and effective participation and equal opportunity for women and girls in leadership in all spheres of life – including the workplace;
• Ensuring all women and girls have access to quality learning, and:
• Sharing examples of real life women and girls who are making a difference every day.

»Photo of Potomac resident and actress Lynda Carter at the United Nations event to celebrate the designation of Wonder Woman as the Honorary Ambassador for the Empowerment of Women and Girls. UN Photo/Kim Haughton