The United Nations celebrated Wonder Woman's 75th birthday by naming the comic book character as its new Honorary Ambassador for the Empowerment of Woman and Girls, despite frustration from both inside and outside the world organization that the spot should go to a real — and less sexualized — woman.
Though Wonder Woman has undergone many changes over the years, in the comics and onscreen, the classic image of her endures. (DC Comics)
The Friday ceremony, bringing together actress Lynda Carter, who played Wonder Woman in the 1970s, and Gal Gadot, who has taken on the role in a forthcoming film, was marred by some 50 UN staffers who turned their back to the stage, some with their fists in the air.
Patty Jenkins, left, director of the upcoming Wonder Woman movie, and star Gal Gadot, listen during a UN meeting designating Wonder Woman an honorary UN ambassador. (Bebeto Matthews/Associated Press)
An online petition started by U.N. staffers asked the Secretary General reconsider the appointment.
"The message the United Nations is sending to the world with this appointment is extremely disappointing. The bottom line appears to be that the United Nations was unable to find a real life woman that would be able to champion the rights of all women on the issue of gender equality and the fight for their empowerment," organizers wrote.
United Nations staff stand and turn their backs, top, in a silent protest to the decision to designate Wonder Woman an honorary ambassador. (Bebeto Matthews/Associated Press)
"Having strong (living, breathing) female role models is a critical aspect of the goal of empowerment of women and girls. If the United Nations would like a list of incredible extraordinary women that would formidably carry out this role, we could surely be able to come up with a list from which the Secretary-General could choose."
As of Friday afternoon, it had more than 1,100 signatures.
United Nations staff held a silent protest against the decision to designate Wonder Woman as an honorary UN ambassador. (Bebeto Matthews/Associated Press)
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