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Want to be an activist? Start with your toys - McKenna Pope

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McKenna Pope's younger brother loved to cook, but he worried about using an Easy-Bake Oven -- because it was a toy for girls. So at age 13, Pope started an online petition for the American toy company Hasbro to change the pink-and-purple color scheme on the classic toy and incorporate boys into its TV marketing. In a heartening talk, Pope makes the case for gender-neutral toys and gives a rousing call to action to all kids who feel powerless.


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TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Speaker McKenna Pope
Additional Resources for you to Explore
You can see the different designs for the Easy-Bake Oven here. See Change.org here: "The world’s platform for change. 57,892,168 people taking action. Victories every day."In the Masai community where 13-year-old Richard Turere lives, cattle are all-important. But lion attacks were growing more frequent. In this short, inspiring talk, the young inventor shares the solar-powered solution he designed to safely scare the lions away.Eighth Grader Tells Hasbro: Man Up the Easy-Bake Oven. Born in the 1960s, the Easy-Bake Oven needs to modernize—and get a little more masculine, says young activist McKenna Pope.

Customize this lesson

Create and share a new lesson based on this one.

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Speaker McKenna Pope

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