Little girl who dreams of being an astronaut writes letter begging shop to make Nasa clothing for girls

Lily Fogels has always wanted to be an astronaut.

Shes been in love with all things to do with space since she can remember, and dreams of living at the international space station when she grows up.

While she waits until shes old enough to be an astronaut, Lily fills her room with planet posters, a miniature solar system, and any on-theme decorations she can find.

Shed also quite like to wear space themed clothing, and was disappointed to find that her local department store, Target, only stocked Nasa T-shirts in boys sizes in the boys section. When she looked in the girls section, no Nasa tops were to be found.

That was the first time Lily pondered the idea that Space could be a boys thing and not something for her to enjoy.

She decided to buy a boys shirt anyway, but was left frustrated by the discovery. So she set about writing a letter to ask Target to sort things out.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Lily wrote: I am very upset right now because all your NASA clothing is only in the boys area in my Target and I am a girl.

I want NASA clothes in the girls area because girls like space too. It doesnt need to be different styles just move some from the boys.

From Lily a girl who loves space.

Target hasnt responded yet.

Lily said: I dont know why I started getting interested in space, it was a long time ago. I love that the universe grows and changes and there is always more to learn.

I would like to be an astronaut and I hope that I can have my own room in the international space station.

I hope one day I will walk on the moon. My back up job is an astrophysicist and I hope I will find life in space.

Its really unfair that Target didnt have any Nasa clothes for girls.

If a girl who really likes space only shops in the girls section, she may not know she can have a Nasa shirt if its only in the boys area.

I was really upset that they didnt put Nasa clothes in the girls section, so my mum told me I could write a letter.

Girls like space too and I hope there will be more female astronauts in the future.

Lilys mum, Suzi Fogels, 37, says Targets failure to stock Nasa clothes in the girls section holds up the idea that jobs in space are only for men, not women.

Advertisement

Advertisement

She hopes that her daughters letter will help to provoke change.

Social researcher Suzi said: The message from Target to my daughter is that Nasa isnt for you.

It may not be what they meant, it may be based on a financial decision, but at the end of the day it is the message they are sending.

I dont think being an astronaut is still seen as a mans job, but I think men and boys are more encouraged than girls to aim for these jobs, even in subtle ways.

Target not having Nasa clothing in the girls section is an example of this.

More: Fashion

If girls arent exposed to Nasa or other STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics related jobs, they wont know they can aim for them.

The Target issue has been an ongoing thing. Last year we went to our local target looking for clothes for Lilys brother and there was a Nasa shirt.

Lily was super excited, so she went to the girls section to find one but there wasnt any. So, we bought the one from the boys section.

The sizing was different, but it was fine. Then earlier this month we went looking for sleepwear and again found Nasa pyjamas but only in the area that was clearly targeting boys.