Black illustration of a butterfly with black text on the body on a bright pink background

The READ butterfly button was distributed at book fairs and sales that were held in the New York City area in 1969 and 1970.

Black text on a purple background

In 1955, Sexologist John Money applied the term "gender" to humans for the first time when he distinguished between biological sex and gender role. Ever since, the concept of “gender” has been challenged, particularly by feminists and the LGBT+ movement. Today, psychologists and medical doctors have established that genitalia at birth does not determine gender roles; gender roles are socially learned, gender is not just an act of performing as male or female but a choice to be everything between the two gender opposites.

Black text on an off tan background

Attempt has been made to attribute this phrase to notable figures in history such as Socrates, Adam Smith, and Benjamin Franklin. However, in the modern age, the slogan became popular due to controversial psychologist, Timothy Leary, who coined it in his lecture series entitled How to Think for Yourself, where he stated “To think for yourself you must question authority and learn how to put yourself in a state of vulnerable open-mindedness, chaotic, confused vulnerability to inform yourself.”  Leary was an influential icon in the counterculture movement of the 1960s, and advocated the use of LSD as a way to escape the burdens of life.

Illustration of a peace sign made of a red outer circle and center line and two human arms. 

This button was designed by Lawrence P. Bloom in late 1972 while he was in junior high school. The button was handed out at the Watergate Hearing in May of 1973. The design has since been made into stickers and postage stamps.

Purple illustration of a fish eating a group of smaller fish over an illustration of the smaller fish in the form of a larger fish eating the larger fish with purple text above on a light blue background

The image on this button represents that through organization one can create results and overcome obstacles. It presents the idea that you don’t let ‘them’ eat you, but you organize to resist. This image also expresses the idea of solidarity, or fellowship arising from common responsibilities and interests. 

Illustration of a black octopus with its head inside of a building on a red ground with yellow and white sky

This button criticizes nuclear power as being centralized. The argument is that it allows a small number of “elites” (scientific, political and/or economic) to make important decisions about energy for large area. Most often nuclear programs have been run or operated directly by governments or through support of large government subsidies. The symbolism on the button of the octopus is often associated with caricatures of government or political over reaching or “big brother” type activity that interferes with local autonomy. It is argued that a centralized model of power distribution would hurt efforts to shift to more sustainable model.

White text on the red semi circle background and on the blue semi circle background. Black text on a white background.

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Black text on an off white background surrounded by a decorative gold outline and red-orange outer edge

This button was produced as part of the Prohibition movement of the early 20^th century and organizations like the Anti-Saloon League of America used them to promote their cause. The Anti-Saloon League was the first modern pressure group organized around one issue. Unlike earlier popular movements, it utilized bureaucratic methods learned from business to build a strong organization, which helped to reinvigorate the country’s temperance movement. The activists used a multitier approach in its attempt to secure a dry (Prohibition) nation through national legislation and congressional hearings. They saw themselves as preachers fulfilling their religious duty of eliminating liquor in America. Prohibition in the United States remained in place as law from 1920 to 1933. 

White illustration of a hand and arm coming from the upper right of the button with black text on the palm on a black background

“No One Deserves to be Hurt” is a popular social justice phrase used to protest prejudice, bullying, and abuse. It has been used in many settings to promote equality, the value of life, and self-responsibility. The image of the stop hand is used to symbolize a motion to halt abuse and communicate the value of all people.

Illustration of a black hanger with a red "No" symbol over it on a white background

The no hanger symbol is a pro-choice symbol that draws attention to the methods women used to end unwanted pregnancies when abortion was illegal. The hanger highlights the fact that abortion persisted even when it was outlawed, but without medical care and with increased danger to women. These women were often of minorities and the lower classes who could not afford abortions performed by a specialist.