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The Fearless Girl statue in New York City, whose face-off with Wall Street's Charging Bull won her legions of fans in just three weeks, will hold her ground for at least another 11 months.
The 127-centimetre bronze statue of a defiant girl with her fists on her hips was installed to mark International Women's Day on March 8 under a lease due to end on April 2.
The two statues stand on a patch of cobblestone in the financial district near Bowling Green.
After at least two petitions, generous press attention and enthusiastic interest on social media, the attraction for tourists and locals will keep its place at least through the end of February 2018.
"She has clearly struck a nerve," said US politician Carolyn Maloney, as she stood on the steps of New York City Hall to announce the statue's extended stay.
Ms Maloney, a New York Democrat, said the bronze girl was a testament to the power of art in society.
The statue was created by artist Kristen Visbal and commissioned by asset manager State Street Global Advisors as part of a campaign to increase gender diversity in business.
"She has really, really become a meaningful part of the community of New York," Ms Maloney said.
"Everyone sees their own dreams and aspirations in the strength of this little girl."
Supporters now aim to convince New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio to let Fearless Girl permanently stare down Charging Bull.
The bull, which has become a popular tourist attraction and iconic feature of New York, was created to represent the United States' economic strength and prosperity, but is also seen a symbol of men and power.
"The importance of empowering women is not temporary, and it's not something that can last for 11 months," New York City Public Advocate Letitia James said.
"It is something that needs to be made permanent."
But Fearless Girl has opponents, among them Arturo Di Modica — the artist who sculpted Charging Bull and dropped it in front of the New York Stock Exchange in the middle of the night in December 1989.
"That is not a symbol! That's an advertising trick," he told the financial news website MarketWatch last week.
The gender diversity campaign by State Street Global Advisors, a subsidiary of State Street Corp, aims to highlight the need for more women on corporate boards.
Reuters
Topics: women, human-interest, united-states