The iconic “Free to Be You and Me,” from Marlo Thomas is celebrating its 40th anniversary. The song, TV show and book was a staple for many growing up, celebrating our differences and to encourage gender neutrality.
Thomas decided to create this (with the help of many celebrity friends) because she didn’t like seeing her niece grow up with books and music that was steeped in traditional gender roles.
To celebrate the anniversary, UNC Press has released an anthology entitled When We Were Free to Be: Looking Back at a Children’s Classic and the Difference It Made edited by Lori Rotskoff and Laura L. Lovett with contributions from Gloria Steinem, Letty Cottin Pogrebin and Alan Alda.
The New York Times has an interview with Thomas about the anniversary and new anthology linked below.
The 40th Anniversary of 'Free to Be…You and Me' (The New York Times)
