NOW-NYS President Mendez Says "Quvenzhane Wallis, 9yr old girl, Deserves Better"

ALBANY, NY (02/26/2013)(readMedia)-- The apology from "The Onion" for its vile and reckless attack posted on Twitter about 9 year old Academy Award nominee, Quvenzhane Wallis is overdue, and unfortunately comes a little too late. .

"It is an unfortunate state of affairs when media in any form, and individual notoriety are used to dismiss and strip young girls of the right to enjoy or celebrate success. The malicious posting by an unknown writer for "The Onion" on Twitter referring to Quvenzhane using a sexually denigrating term adds one more, young girl to the list of casualties in the social war on the self-esteem and accomplishments of young girls. Young girls battle every day to be acknowledged, respected, and celebrated when they achieve remarkable things," says NOW-NYS President Zenaida Mendez.

Sadly the attacks on Quvenzhane for her success in being nominated for an Oscar Award were not isolated to "The Onion", but include the sexist remarks by Oscar Awards show host Seth MacFarlance, and the insensitive posting by model Christine Teigen on Twitter, who referred to the young girl as "cocky" and a "brat" for being a confident child. Quvenzhane Wallis deserved to be treated better last night for achieving such a remarkable professional recognition at such a young age.