If you’re sightseeing in New York, there’s a good chance that the Financial District’s Charging Bull statue (a.k.a. the Wall Street Bull) is on your list. But you’ll also see another, more recent, statue standing just a few feet in front of the headstrong animal. Fearless Girl by artist Kristen Visbal was commissioned by a Wall Street investment firm and installed in that spot in recognition of International Women’s Day, March 8, 2017. The newer bronze statue stands just over four feet tall and weighs 250 pounds. The girl is meant to be Latina to send a supportive message to immigrants along with its message of female strength. She stands with her feet apart, hands on hips, staring the bull directly in the eye.
While Fearless Girl quickly became a popular attraction on lower Broadway, its placement was controversial. The Charging Bull artist, Arturo Di Modica, said the investment company that sponsored the statue violated his rights by installing it near his iconic bull sculpture without permission. The city had granted a permit for Fearless Girl to remain at the site for one month, but its popularity resulted in New York Mayor Bill DeBlasio agreeing to let it remain through February 2018. So that’s where it is for now, see while you can.