It was 2013, a year of milestones for my daughter as she graduated from her toddler bed to something more befitting her growing independence. We decided to give her room a little makeover to mark the occasion. Being the delightfully opinionated toddler that she was, she had very specific ideas about what she wanted. Her theme? Rockets and planets. Her request? Make them pink.

Everywhere we looked, stores were brimming with space-themed decor and toys. After all, what preschooler hasn’t dreamed of traveling to space and exploring those sparkling galaxies? Yet, if you took a stroll down the toy aisles, you might conclude that only boys harbored such aspirations. Boys had exclusive dibs on space, superheroes, discovery, action, and adventure.

But there was a separate aisle for girls. It was a beautifully curated pink aisle that beckoned with its baby dolls, Barbies, and butterflies. This aisle celebrated girls’ roles in family life and encouraged the development of social and emotional intelligence. Yet, it also subtly communicated a limiting message: action and adventure could be part of a girl's world too, but only if she was willing to step outside the pink confines.

My daughter loved outer space—passionately. She’d reenact the moon landing with my yoga ball and insisted we bundle up to bid the stars goodnight in the freezing New York winter. Yet, her love for pink and all things pretty invariably won over. Why? Because the segregation of themes and colors in children's toys left little room for her to imagine combining the two.

Over the past decade, though, change has been stirring, thanks to some incredible leaders who are revolutionizing this landscape, showing girls that sparkles and space are not mutually exclusive. Figures like Kellie Gerardi, Emily Calandrelli, and Anna Menon have been instrumental in demonstrating the powerful synthesis that occurs when these worlds collide.

This rigid separation of interests according to gender not only curtails a child’s imagination but also instills harmful stereotypes. Girls learn early on that while nurturing and beauty are expected realms for them, the thrilling adventures through space and time are reserved for boys. This message doesn’t just limit their play—it shapes their perception of what they can aspire to be.

Let’s challenge these norms and share stories that reinforce the message that girls' dreams are not limited by the colors of the aisle. Whether they wear capes or tutus, let’s ensure our children know that the sky is not the limit—it's just the beginning.

By Chanie Brod