Wonder Woman's Run As Honorary UN Ambassador Ends Early

CBR

By Rob Cave

Published Dec 13, 2016

Wonder Woman's term as an Honorary UN Ambassador might be finishing early, but the character will continue to fight for peace, justice and equality.

It seems that Princess Diana of Themyscira's term as U.N. Honorary Ambassador for the Empowerment of Women and Girls is set to come to an end somewhat sooner than initially expected. According to Reuters, the character's U.N. role, which had been expected to continue into 2017, will now come to a close on Friday December 16, 2016.

Wonder Woman's selection as an icon for female empowerment received some strong criticism from U.N. members shortly after the decision was first announced in October, with U.N. staff organizing an online petition highlighting their concern that "although the original creators may have intended Wonder Woman to represent a strong and independent 'warrior' woman with a feminist message, the reality is that the character's current iteration is that of a large breasted white woman of impossible proportions, scantily clad in a shimmery, thigh-baring body suit with an American flag motif and knee high boots — the epitome of a ‘pin-up’ girl."

The ceremony to make the character's role official, held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York and attended by DC Entertainment President Diane Nelson as well as "Wonder Woman" actors Lynda Carter and Gal Gadot, even saw a small protest, with around 50 people standing silently with their backs to the proceedings, some holding their right arms high in the air with their fists clenched.

The U.N. has not provided any official explanation as to why the Wonder Woman campaign is ending now. An official Spokesman Jeffrey Brez would only say that campaigns using fictional characters often lasted no longer than a few months.

According to DC, a planned special-edition "Wonder Woman" comic focusing on the empowerment of women and girls announced in October is still scheduled to go ahead.

Directed by Patty Jenkins, the live-action “Wonder Woman” film -- which is not tied in any way to the U.N. ambassadorship -- will star Gal Gadot and hit cinemas on June 2, 2017.