Women's Liberation badge

This women's liberation badge belonged to New Zealand feminist Kay Goodger. She was one of the founders of WONAAC (Women's National Abortion Action Campaign), and a member of the Socialist Action League.

The badge features the feminist symbol of the 1960s-1970s which combines two symbols: the clenched fist of solidarity within the symbol for the Roman Goddess Venus, commonly accepted as the female symbol. The distinctive bow-shaped cross design was characteristic of the American women's liberation symbol at that time.

The Women’s Liberation Movement emerged in New Zealand in 1970 challenging traditional roles and oppressive societal structures and demanding equal rights. The movement brought matters that were once considered personal (such as sexual behaviour), into public and political debate. Abortion rights, for and against, were particularly vehement during the 1970s.

The New Zealand movement was influenced by the women’s liberation movements in the United States and Britain. Feminism had spread across the United States in the late 1960s and was gaining momentum beyond its shores by 1969. This badge was one of the ways the movement’s messaging was disseminated and would have been very topical when first worn in New Zealand.