Pigtail Pals and Ballcap Buddies. She offers a wide range of clothing, hats, and gift ideas for a range of ages.
The best part is that the clothing can be customized with inspiring, playful designs. When my daughter turned one, I bought her a shirt with the "Full of Awesome" design and it became my new motto. Whenever someone would comment on how cute my daughter was I would respond with, "She certainly is full of awesome!"
Since the launch of her company in May 2009, Melissa has taken her mission beyond clothing for girls. She has launched workshops, blogged, and produced a book that encourage us all to preserve childhood by "Redefining Girly" and "Reclaiming Boyhood." Wardy wants to fight the gender stereotypes frequently found in today's clothing, advertisements, television shows, movies, and marketing strategies. She has created a safe place for discussion on this subject on her blog, Facebook page and Twitter.
I have found a wonderful sense of community of parents and activists through PPBB. I've been inspired to write to a company to express concern over its use of stereotypes. I have found suggestions on ways to encourage family, friends, and health care workers to use more gender-neutral language.
I feel validated in my decision to raise my children questioning what they are being sold. I dare say that I myself feel "Full of Awesome."
This article has been edited to reflect the fact that Wardy lives in Janesville.
