We don't disrespect nurses...we're just drawn that way

May 6-12, 2004 -- The Truth has learned that a pin featuring Disney's Jessica Rabbit character, dressed as a "naughty nurse," has been marketed for National Nurses' Week 2004. Jessica, the sexy, sultry animated character who first appeared in the 1988 Disney classic "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?", had a cameo as a nurse in the first of the three short films that followed, "Tummy Trouble" (1989), which was set largely in a hospital. Of course, the Jessica character perfectly embodies the still-potent naughty nurse stereotype, which contributes to the current nursing shortage that threatens lives worldwide. But what's a little surprising is that anyone would think a Jessica Rabbit nurse pin would be a good way to say "thank you" to the skilled, hard-working nurses--including men--who continue to fight short-staffing and other challenges to save patients' lives.

We urge you to contact Disney and any others involved in the marketing of Jessica Rabbit nurse products and ask them if, the next time they are in the hospital with a serious problem, they would like the voluptuous Jessica as their nurse. They'd stand a good chance of dying, but what a way to go!

See a copy of our executive director's initial letter to Disney (in pdf format) and another letter to Senator Mitchell.

We have had a response from Disney. Please see our follow-up posting.