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Overview
This photograph shows three friends wearing pussyhats in Wellington, New Zealand (from left to right: Marianne Malmstrom, Rachel Bolstad and Chiara LaRotonda). Their hats were made as part of the Pussyhat Project which was launched after Donald Trump's election as President of the United States in late 2016. The project was in preparation for the Women's March on Washington and Sister Marches around the world on 21 January 2017.
The Pussyhat Project
The Pussyhat Project was created in late 2016 by Krista Suh and Jayna Zweiman in Los Angeles who wanted to create a ‘sea of pink hats’ which would make a ‘powerful visual statement of solidarity’ for women’s rights (https://www.pussyhatproject.com/our-story/). They teamed up with Kat Coyle, owner of a Los Angeles shop called the Little Knittery, to create a simple pattern posted online to encourage people to create their own pussyhat to wear during the march. The name ‘pussyhat’ aims to reclaim a derogatory word for female genitalia. The cat ear design was developed in part as a response to a 2005 recording of Trump released during the election campaign in which he claimed ‘You can do anything … Grab them by the pussy’- a claim he later put down to ‘locker room banter’.
The making of pussyhats celebrates the traditional female crafts of knitting and crochet. Pink is considered a female colour, representing caring, compassion and love. ‘Wearing pink together is a powerful statement that we are unapologetically feminine and we unapologetically stand for women’s rights’ (Pussyhat Project).
Marianne’s story
Marianne Malmstrom, an American working in Wellington, recalls: 'When I found out that ALL of my friends back home were planning to wear pussy hats and march in the NYC Women’s March, I thought I could at least show solidarity by wearing a hat here. I decided to make it myself by reviving knitting skills that I had learned as part of the mandatory training all young Mormon girls receive. I marvelled that I finally found one thing of value that the Mormon church had taught me. Ironically, it helped me protest the presidential candidate they openly supported even after he bragged about illegally sexually assaulting women. I don’t know which is more offensive? Both are absolutely #NotOkay! That's why knitting my own pussy hat carried so much meaning for me. I was thrilled when I learned that Wellington planned to hold a Women’s March here. I got busy and made extra hats to give to sister marchers.'
The Women’s March
The Women's March was a global phenomenon which took place on the same day throughout the world featuring a broad coalition of nearly five million participants in over 600 Sister Marches in 60 countries on all seven continents. It was timed to protest the inauguration of Donald Trump on 20 January 2017, and was intended to send a message to his administration on its first day in office that women's rights are human rights. The Washington march is now estimated to be the largest political demonstration in American history.
Social media enabled the ideas of marching and wearing pussyhats to sweep rapidly across America and around the world. The original ethos of the Sister Marches was one of solidarity with America, but shifted to a global perspective, with many marchers concerned not only by Trump's misogynistic attitudes but his effect on global politics; rising far-right populism around the world; and local concerns over citizens' rights.
Sister Marches took place across New Zealand with the largest marches in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin. Their mission was to 'stand together in solidarity with our partners and children for the protection of our rights, our safety, our health, and our families - recognising that our vibrant and diverse communities are the strength of our country' (Women's March on Washington Aotearoa New Zealand Facebook).
Protest clothing
Clothes and accessories play a significant role in protest movements, demonstrations and marches, and in the accompanying visual record. When protesters wear similar outfits and colours, they can make an enormous impact, catching the eye of the media, politicians, cultural commentators and the wider community. Some of these garments gain lasting symbolic power. Very few items of dress make it to this level, where they play an active and defining role in creating and shaping history. The pussyhat is such a garment and speaks to ongoing concerns about feminism and human rights.