FINANCIAL DISTRICT, Manhattan (WABC) -- In anticipation of Wednesday's International Women's Day, a bronze statue of a defiant girl was placed directly in front of the iconic Wall Street charging bull.
The statue, installed by State Street Global Advisors, was meant to send a powerful message about gender diversity in the workplace.
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The statue depicts a girl in a dress and sneakers, standing firmly with her hands on her hips, looking up with a proud expression.
** See more photos of the statue in the gallery above **
It is part of a campaign the firm is kicking off to implore the 3,500 companies State Street works with to hire more female employees.
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A spokesman for the company said, "She stands as a reminder ... that having more women in leadership positions can lead to increased performance and a stronger economy."
A statue titled "Fearless Girl" faces the Wall Street bull, Wednesday, March 8, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
A crowd gathers around a statue of a fearless girl facing the Wall Street bull, Wednesday, March 8, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
A woman places a red scarf on a statue of a fearless girl facing the Wall Street bull, Wednesday, March 8, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
A statue of a fearless girl faces the Wall Street bull, Wednesday, March 8, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
A crowd gathers around a statue of a fearless girl facing the Wall Street Bull, Wednesday, March 8, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
A statue titled "Fearless Girl" faces the Wall Street bull, Wednesday, March 8, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)