6. Epilogue: The Future is Female … and Intersectional, Gender-Fluid, and Unexpected

The significance of Kamala Harris’ groundbreaking election to vice president of the United States is demonstrated by the calls for women, Black women in particular, to celebrate her and Biden’s victory by wearing pearl necklaces and Converse-brand tennis shoes, items that Harris herself wore frequently. Historically, many of these beliefs have been expressed in buttons or even on t-shirts. In 1974, a t-shirt with the slogan “The Future is Female” was designed by Labryis Books. Popular at the time, the phrase continued to appear since then, but saw a huge resurgence in 2015 when Rachel Berks remade the shirt for her shop Otherwild. What was to be a one-time limited print run giving back to Planned Parenthood turned in to a shirt (and sweatshirts) in various colors and sizes constantly in stock. Stores like Otherwild have popped up across the United States, including Phenomenal and The Outrage, which have worked to create a new outlet for those who want to be politically engaged, but for various reasons cannot participate in marches or other events. Financially, these stores give back, helping to provide various resources for feminist, non-profit organizations that support reproductive rights, healthcare, queer concerns, immigration, civil rights, voting rights, and general human rights. Visible accessories and t-shirts allow people all over the country to participate in the movement for a low cost but easy impact. Non-profits are counting on it, and as walk-outs and protests persist across the world, it appears that fashion and art will continue to be helpful tools that contribute to the political conversation. Whether it appears on the wall or a t-shirt, “The Future is Female” fits a multiplicity of needs: it is hopeful, positive, specific, defiant, open-ended, and more. Understanding the resurgence of this shirt in 2015 and how it parallels an important resurgence of feminist beliefs, feminists make very clear that there is still work to be done.