Buttons

Buttons quickly became a fixture of feminist activism.  Inexpensive to produce, and easy to distribute and wear, buttons served as visual affirmations of support for countless issues and actions.  They were also an effective, and often cheeky, vehicle for pithy and clever comments on women’s inequality and organizing for change.

Our collection is far from complete. Contact us about additions to this section of the website, as well as any background information you can offer.

Title Date Organization
100 Women in Toronto --
2 Intertwined Women Symbols --
69-89: Alive and Kicking!! Campus Coop Reunion 1989 Campus Community Co-operative Daycare Centre
A Date with Equality – April 17, 1985 -- Canadian Advisory Council on the Status of Women
A Woman’s Life is a Human Life --
A Woman’s Place is Everywhere 1981
A Woman’s Place is in Her Union -- Canadian Union of Public Employees
A Woman’s Place is in Her Union 1981 Canadian Labour Congress
A Woman’s Place is in Her Union --
A Woman’s Place is in Her Union – CUC --
A Woman’s Place is in Her Union – TUA/UAW -- United Auto Workers
A Woman’s Place is in the Front --
A woman’s place is in the struggle: International Women’s Day March 8th (CUPW) -- Canadian Union of Postal Workers
A woman’s right to control her life: Repeal All Abortion Laws --
Abortion is a Personal Decision --
Abortion is a Woman’s Choice --
Action Day Care – More Daycare, Better Daycare -- Action Daycare
Alderwoman --
Algoma and Manitoulin Native Women – Spirit of the 80’s -- Algoma and Manitoulin Native Women
Anna Mae Aquash: Warrior-Mother – Casualty of the War Against Indigenous Peoples --
Another Man Against Violence Against Women --
Another Woman for Economic Justice --
Ask not what a lesbian can do for you, but what you can do for a lesbian --
Audrey – Leadership ’89/Chefferie ’89 1989 New Democratic Party of Canada
Audrey McLaughlin for Prime Minister -- New Democratic Party of Canada
aujourd’hui une maison, ce soir la rue -- La Maison des Femmes de Montréal
Bank Busters – Union of Bank Employees On Strike at the Commerce -- Union of Bank Employees
Barbara Hall – Mayor for all the people 1994
Barbara Hall: Mayor ~ for the City --
Be a Siren Scream 1986 Company of Sirens
Behind These Lips Lies A Real Woman --
Being Lesbian or Gay is Not a Crime – Bashing Is --
better gay than grumpy --
Bi-national Lesbian Conference/Conference lesbienne bi-nationale – Toronto May 19-21 Mai 1979 1979 Lesbian Organization of Toronto, International Women's Day Committee
Booksellers against Mike Harris -- Toronto Women's Bookstore
Boycott Eaton’s 1984 Retail and Wholesale Department Store Union (RWDSU)
Boycott Nestle --
Bread & Roses – I.W.D. March 8 1986 1986
Bread and Roses – Rosa Luxemburg --
Breast Cancer – We Are Dying for a Cure! --
Buy Canadian – Save Our Jobs (ILGWU) -- International Ladies Garment Workers Union (LWGU)
C.A.R.A.L. – Freedom of Choice on Abortion -- Canadian Abortion Rights Action League
C.L.A.W. Canadian Ladies Against Feminism -- Canadian Ladies Against Women (CLAW)
CAW/TCA Canada: Women Building Union Building Women -- Canadian Auto Workers (CAW)
Celebrate March 8th International Women’s Day – Public Service Alliance of Canada -- Public Service Alliance of Canada
Chaque Mineur Avait Une Mère: Sudbury 1883-1983 1983 Sudbury Women's Centre
Childcare. Kids are worth it. --
Choice --
Choice: Legalize Free-Standing Abortion Clinics -- Ontario Coalition for Abortion Clinics
Choice: No New Abortion Law --
Co-conspirators for Choice -- Ontario Coalition for Abortion Clinics
Collective Action Collective Strength – International Women’s Day (CEIU) -- Canadian Employment and Immigration Union (CEIU)
Conférence Constitution. Ottawa – Feb 14 1981 1981 Canadian Advisory Council on the Status of Women (CACSW)/Conseil consultatif canadien sur la situation de la femme (CCCSF), Ad Hoc Committee of Canadian Women on the Constitution
contre la violence faite aux femmes – solidarité --
CUPE 1230: Support library workers – fight cutbacks -- Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 1230
Dare to Dream of a Feminist Dean – Osgoode Hall 1987 1987 Osgoode Law School
DAWN DisAbled Women’s Network -- DisAbled Women's Network (DAWN)
December 6th. Mourn. Organize. Change. Hope (CUPW) -- Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW)
Desire from Women’s Perspective 1983
Doing It! Lesbian and Gay LIberation in the ’80s --
Don’t Lose the Right to Choose 1989 Canadian Abortion Rights Action League (CARAL),
Dykes in the Streets 1981 Lesbians Against the Right
Elect Winnie Ng – Trinity Spadina Federal NDP 1993 New Democratic Party
Emily Carr --
Emily Stowe Shelter for Women --
Employment Equity for a better Ontario – CUPE/SCEP -- Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE/SCEP)
End the Occupation Now! WAO -- Women Against the Occupation
End violence for our daughters: CAW/TCA -- Canadian Auto Workers
Equal Opportunities (CUPE) -- Canadian Union of Public Employees
Equal Pay for Work of Equal Value --
Equal Pay Now! --
Every Mother a Willing Mother; Every Child a Wanted Child – Repeal anti-abortion laws --
Every mother is a working mother --
Family Benefits Work Group: Agitate, Educate, Organize --
Feminism to the max! --
Feminist Against Anti-Semitism --
Feminist Party of Canada 1979 Feminist Party of Canada
feminists are everywhere: they read Broadside -- Broadside
Femmes deboutte! --
fffff --
fight back! Gay Self Defense --
Fight the Right Festival – May 1, 1982 1982 Fight the Right Festival
Fighting Racism – From Soweto to Toronto --
Free and Female --
Free Day Care not Free Trade --
Free Palestine – Time for Peace; Time for Women – Occupation Must End! --
Free South African Political Prisoners – South African Women’s Day Committee 1986 South African Women's Day Committee
Friend of Interval House 1973 Interval House
Gay is What We Make it --
God Is Coming and Is She Pissed --
good daycare! --
Good Enough to Work … Good Enough to Unionize --
Hanukkah --
Help Crack Bell -- Communications Workers of Canada
Help women build lives free from violence – The December 6th Fund -- Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA)
Hi Tech Goodby Jobs – Metro Toronto Library Workers 1984 Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE)
How Dare You Presume I’d Rather Be Thin --
I Am a Pseudo Feminist in Social Work --
I am a Woman for Peace – Congress of Canadian Women -- Congress of Canadian Women
I Like Older Women --
I Love Lesbian Tongues --
I Slept at Secretary of State for $1.6 M – Where’s the Money? --
I Support Saskatchewan Women -- Saskatchewan Action Committee on the Status of Women
I will survive --
I’d Rather Be Ironing! -- Ladies Against Women
I’m proud to be a Feminist – Dec.6 Montreal -- Organized Working Women
I.W.Y. women in the arts (1975) 1975 Metro Public Libraries
If They Want You to File, Become a Machinist --
If We Can Send One Man to the Moon Why Not Send Them All? --
In commemoration of the 14 women killed in Montreal, December 6, 1989/ En commémoration des femmes assassinées à Montreal le 6 decembre 1989 1991 YWCA, December 6th Coalition
In Solidarity Canadian Workers Salvadorean Workers --
international lesbian conspiracy --
International Women’s Day 1978 (Toronto) 1978 International Women's Day/March 8th Coalition
International Women’s Day 1979 (Toronto) – Jobs and Rights for Women 1979 International Women's Day Committee/March 8th Coalition
International Women’s Day 1981 (Toronto) – Women Unite 1981 International Women's Day Committee/March 8th Coalition
International Women’s Day 1983 (Toronto) 1983 March 8th Coalition
International Women’s Day 1983 – Hard Times Won’t Stop Us 1983
International Women’s Day 1984 (Toronto) – Rise Up! 1984 March 8th Coalition
International Women’s Day 1985 1985
International Women’s Day 1985 (Toronto) – Still Ain’t Satisfied 1985 International Women's Day Committee /March 8th Coalition
International Women’s Day 1986 (Toronto) – From Toronto to South Africa: Women Say No! to Racism 1986 March 8th Coalition
International Women’s Day 1987 1987
International Women’s Day 1987 (Toronto) – Fighting Racism and Sexism Together 1987 March 8th Coalition
International Women’s Day 1988 (Toronto) – Women Unite to Fight Racism, Sexism, Economic Inequality 1988 March 8th Coalition
International Women’s Day 1990 (Toronto) – Fight the Attacks – No Turning Back! 1990 March 8th Coalition
International Women’s Day 1990 – Raging, Resisting, Rejoicing 1990
International Women’s Day 1991 (Toronto) – From Oka to the Gulf! 1991 March 8th Coalition
International Women’s Day 1993 – No Time to Stop --
International Women’s Day 1980 (Toronto) – Bread and Roses in the 80’s 1980 March 8th Coalition
International Women’s Day 1982 (Toronto) 1982 March 8th Coalition
International Women’s Day 1989 (Toronto) – Women Against Poverty 1989 March 8th Coalition
International Women’s Day 1992 (Toronto) – Healing, Reclaiming 1992 March 8th Coalition
Intertwined Same Sex Gender Symbols --
It’s Cold Out Here – Pension Fund Profits and Women --
Jewish Women against the Occupation --
Justice for Albert Johnson 1979 Black Action Defence Committe (BADC), Albert Johnson Committee Against Police Brutality
Justice for Michael Wade Lawson 1988 Justice for Michael Wade Lawson Committee
Justice for Pauline Au – Stop Sexual Harassment --
Kay MacPherson – NDP -- New Democratic Party
Kay Macpherson – When in Doubt, Do Both! 1994 University of Toronto Press, Voice of Women, National Action Committee on the Status fo Women
Keep it public --
Kids are not for profit -- Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care (OCBCC)
kids, not cash – Non Profit Child Care -- Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care, Ontario Federation of Labour
L/L (Lesbian/Lesbienne) 1980 Lesbian/Lesbienne
Les Femmes prennent du terrain – La Journée Internationale de la Femme (SEIC) -- Le Syndicat de l'Emploi et de l'Immigration du Canada (SEIC) /Canada Employment Immigration Union (CEIU)
Lesbian & Gay Pride Day ’82 1982
Lesbian & Gay Pride Day ’83 1983
Lesbian & Gay Pride Day – 28 June 1981 – Toronto 1981 Lesbian and Gay Pride Committee
Lesbian Celebration – May ’83 BC 1983
Lesbian Power Toronto ’85 – Coming Together 1985 Lesbian and Gay Pride Committee
Lesbians & Friends – Canadian Women’s Studies Association (Quebec 1989) 1989 Canadian Women's Studies Association
Lesbians Against Racism 1992
Lesbians and Gays Against Apartheid 1985 Simon Nkoli Anti-Apartheid Committee
Lesbians of Colour 1984 Lesbians of Colour
Lesbians Unite in Armed Snuggle --
Local 23-25 ILGWU -- International Ladies Garment Workers' Union
Love is a basic human right -- Amnesty International
love makes a family --
Made in Canada: Union Made – ILGWU Canada -- International Ladies Garment Workers' Union
Make That Move – Fight Racism: Dykes Against Racism Everywhere 1980 Dykes Against Racism Everywhere
March 8 mars -- Canadian Union of Public Employees/Syndicat canadien de la fonction publique (CUPE/SCFP)
March 8 Mars CLC – CTC -- Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) / Congrès du travail du Canada (CTC)
Matriarchy Matriarchy --
May the Goddess Bless You! 1978
McGill Women’s Union -- McGill Women's Union
McMaster Women’s Centre -- McMaster Women's Centre
Men Against Violence Against Women -- White Ribbon Campaign
Men of Quality respect Women’s Equality --
Metro Library – Keep it user friendly 1984 Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE)
Micro-Chips May Cause Job Decay --
Mini-Skools Pays Mini-Wages 1982 Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU)
moan groan grumble bitch complain --
Montréal Femme (1982) 1982
Motherhood by Choice Not Chance --
Motherhood self-destructs in 20 years --
MQ (Mama Quilla) II -- Mama Quilla II
Ms. for M.P. --
Native Canadians: A Distinct Society – The Original Founding Nations of this Land --
NDP Women -- New Democratic Party
Never Again – Fight Back (Gays & Lesbians Against the Right Everywhere) 1981 Gays and Lesbians Against the Right Everywhere
Never Again! Plus Jamais! --
No Cuts, Just Bucks – Black Women for Wages for Housework 1977 Black Women for Wages for Housework, Wages for Housework
No Dieting --
No Justice No Peace 1996 Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE)
No means no! -- Toronto Rape Crisis Centre
No Means No! --
No More Nickels, No More Dimes – Wives Supporting 1005 Strikers -- United Steelworkers
No More Shit! Toronto, 6 Feb 81 1981
No New Abortion Law – Choice --
No New Abortion Law – Choice, Choice, Choice 1988
No Sexual Harrasment -- The Crossing Press
No To Violence: Federation of Women Teachers’ Associations of Ontario 1982 Federation of Women Teachers' Associations of Ontario (FWTAO)
No, Thanks! Addicted Women’s Self-Help Network -- Addicted Women's Self-Help Network
not so amazon – 1985 Softball League 1985 NOTSO Amazon Softball League
nous refusons porno --
O povo unido, jamais será vencido! F.A.S.W.O.C -- Food and Service Workers of Canada (FASWOC)
Oka is all of us 1990
OKAnada 1990
Ontario can work!
Ontario Federation of Labour – Equal Pay for Work of Equal Value -- Ontario Federation of Labour
Ontario Women’s Action Coalition: I support the Women’s Movement -- Ontario Women's Action Coalition (OWAC)
Organized Working Women (OWW): Women for Unions – Unions for Women 1982 Organized Working Women
Organized Working Women Say No! Free Trade is Rambo Economics 1988 Organized Working Women
Our Nell --
out of the sweatshops – ILGWU Garment Workers Unite! -- International Ladies Garment Workers Union
P4Women – Women Working with Women -- Women Working with Women
Patriarchy The Great Phallusy --
pay equity….what’s the key? -- Saskatchewan Federation of Labour
Peace on Earth …. Good Will Toward WOMEN --
Pink Venus and Fist --
Repeal Abortion Laws --
Resist Violence – Revolt Oppression – Reclaim Freedom --
Rosemary Brown – NDP leader 1975 New Democratic Party (NDP)
Service Office Retail Workers Union Canada (SORWUC) – A Union for Working Women -- Service Office Retail Workers Union Canada (SORWUC)
Sexism is a Social Disease --
Shifting the Weight of the World – March 11, 1989 – International Women’s Day --
Sisters in Struggle: Building a Global Movement – February 26, 1988 1988 Black Women's Collective
Solidarité avec les femmes du Salvador --
Solidarité Pride Fierté – Canadian Labour Congress/ Congrès du Travail du Canada -- Canadian Labour Congress/Congrès du Travail du Canada (CLC-CTC)
Solidarity -- Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE/SCFP)
South Africa Women’s Day: Aug. 9, 1956-1986 30th Anniversary 1986 South African Women's Day Committee,
Speak Out for Choice on Abortion --
Steelworkers Women’s Committee Fundraising pins 1978 Steelworkers of America Women's Committee - Sudbury
Still Sane 1984 Women in Focus Gallery
Stop Racism at home and abroad --
Stop Rape – Women Against Rape: B.C. Federation of Women -- British Columbia Federation of Women
Stop Sexual Harassment (NUPGE) -- National Union of Government and General Employees (NUPGE)
Stop Violence Against Women --
Strong Women Strong Union – C.E.I.U. Women’s Committee -- Canada Employment and Immigration Union (CEIU)
Sudbury Can’t Work Without Child Care 1980
Support Library Workers: CUPE Locals 1582-1806-2758 1984 Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE)
Support the Last Stand of the Lubicon! --
Support the Women in Armagh --
Support Your Local Midwife --
Support your local prostitutes’ rights (CORPRL & CORPS) -- Canadian Organization for the Rights of Prostitutes (CORPS)
Take Back the Night --
Take Back the Night – Sudbury Rape Crisis Centre 1989 Sudbury Rape Crisis Centre
The Canadian Women’s Festival ’85/ Le Festival des Femmes Canadiennes 1985 Canadian Women's Festival / Le Festival des Femmes Canadiennes
The Company of Sirens -- The Company of Sirens
The Goddess is here and SHE is ORGANIZING --
The hand that rocks the cradle needs to rock the boat! -- Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care
The Right to a Union at the Commerce and Graham Cable – No More Radio Shack, Blue Cross, Irwin Toy! --
The Woman’s Common 1988
Toronto Rape Crisis Centre -- Toronto Rape Crisis Centre
Toronto She-roes 1990
Toronto Women’s Bookstore: Rebuilding with Your Help 1983 Toronto Women's Bookstore
Tupperware Preserves The Family --
Two Women --
TYPING is not a Female secondary sex characteristic --
UIOVD-ILGWU -- Union internationale des ouvriers du vêtement pour dames/International Ladies Garment Workers Union (UIOVD/ILGWU)
UN/NGO World Conference on Women – Beijing ’95 1995 United Nations
Unity is our Strength --
Uppity Women Unite --
Vancouver Wimmin’s Tea and Torch Society -- Vancouver Wimmin's Tea and Torch Society
Venus with Fist --
Wages for Housework -- Wages for Housework
WAR Is Menstruation Envy --
Warning! Schools Spread Sexism --
We are Family 1988 Canadian Union of Public Employees
We Will Not Be Beaten --
Well Behaved Women Rarely Make History --
Wendo Women Only -- Wen Do
What if every woman votes….Si toutes les femmes votaient.. -- Ontario Advisory Council on Women's Issues/Conseil consultatif de l'Ontario sur la condition féminine
What If Prince Charming Never Shows? --
What Part of NO! Don’t You Understand? --
Why Not? International Women’s Year 1975 1975 Government of Canada,
Wife Assault – No Man Has the Right -- Government of Ontario
WITCH -- WIC - University of Western Ontario
Without Consent, It’s Sexual Assault -- Government of Ontario
Woman of Steel – Steelworkers 1990 Steelworkers of America
Woman Symbol and Globe --
Women & Unions … Stronger Together! -- Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU)
Women / Peace --
Women Against Nukes --
Women Against Violence Against Women (WAVAW) -- Women Against Violence Against Women
Women Against Violence Against Women (WAVAW) -- Women Against Violence Against Women (WAVAW)
Women and Legal Reform 1981 1981
Women and the Constitution – February 14 1981 1981 Ad Hoc Committee of Canadian Women on the Constitution, Canadian Advisory Group on the Status of Women (CACSW)
Women and Unions – Equal Partners 1981 Canadian Labour Congress
Women Are Wonderful 1979
Women Around the World 1981
Women artists are everywhere --
Women for Freedom for Women --
Women Gathering to Stop the Cruise 1983
Women in Black – End the Occupation --
Women in Trades --
Women in Trades --
Women in Trades 1983: Pink Collar to Blue Collar 1983
Women make the union strong – cupw.sttp -- Canadian Union of Postal Workers
Women Unite – Take Back the Night 1986 Toronto Rape Crisis Centre
Women Vote – National Action Committee on the Status of Women 1988 National Action Committee on the Status of Women (NAC)
Women Who Seek To Be Equal To Men Lack Ambition --
Women’s Centres – A National Treasure --
Women’s Liberation --
Women’s March Against Poverty 1996 Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) / Congrès du travail du Canada (CTC), National Action Committee on the Status of Women (NAC) / Comité canadien d’action sur le statut de la femme (CCA)
Women’s March Against Poverty: For Bread and Roses/ For Jobs and Justice – May-June 15, 1996 1996 National Action Committee on the Status of Women (NAC), Canadian Labour Congress
Women’s Perspective ’83 – Partisan Gallery 1983 Partisan Gallery
women’s work…no pay, low pay….some choice! 1981 Political Action Collective of the Ottawa Women’s Centre/Feminist Action Collective (Ottawa)
Women+AIDS – AIDS Action Now! -- AIDS Action Now
Women- Don’t Agonize, ORGANIZE --
Y’est Temps 1975
You Don’t Need a Prick to Lay a Brick --