Last night, Hillary Clinton became the first woman to be nominated for president by a major political party. But just two decades ago, the concept of a woman president was deemed "offensive to some people."
Nick Kapur, a Rutgers University professor, first tweeted out an article from 1995 with the headline, "Wal-Mart pulls shirt from store," which describes the controversy surrounding a shirt predicting a female president. And the Internet can't stop talking about how absurd it is that this news ran so recently.
In 1995 Walmart pulled "Someday a woman will be president" T-shirt from shelves, saying it offended "family values." pic.twitter.com/jqqbmZFMCaJuly 27, 2016
In 1995 Walmart pulled "Someday a woman will be president" T-shirt from shelves, saying it offended "family values." pic.twitter.com/jqqbmZFMCaJuly 27, 2016
The Associated Press story, which ran in the Lodi News-Sentinel, describes how a Miami Wal-Mart stopped selling T-shirts reading "Someday a woman will be president," because it was "offensive to some shoppers."
The company's spokesperson Jane Bockholt told the paper, "It was determined the T-shirt was offensive to some people and so the decision was made to pull it from the sales floor."
A Wal-Mart buyer in Arkansas said the chain refused to carry the shirt nationwide because the message "goes against Wal-Mart's family values."
The shirts featured a cartoon of Margaret, a friend of Dennis the Menace.
After I saw @nick_kapur's tweet I found this story in Miami Herald archives. Looks like it was on/off/on the shelf https://t.co/gXFReMgF9zJuly 27, 2016
A Walmart spokesperson tells MarieClaire.com: "Wow, it still pains us that we made this mistake 20 years ago. We're proud of the fact that our country – and our company – has made so much progress in advancing women in the workplace, and in society."
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
According to an articleThe Miami-Herald posted from its archives today, the original article led to customers threatening to boycott the store. The shirts briefly returned to the shelves, but were eventually pulled for good because "they didn't sell."
Bet they'd sell now.
Follow Marie Claire on Facebook for the latest celeb news, beauty tips, fascinating reads, livestream video, and more.
Kate Storey is a contributing editor at Marie Claire and writer-at-large at Esquire magazine, where she covers culture and politics. Kate's writing has appeared in ELLE, Harper's BAZAAR, Town & Country, and Cosmopolitan, and her first book comes out in summer 2023.
-
Jennifer Lopez Goes All-White—$500,000 Birkin Included
Two things J.Lo loves? Monochromatic dressing and Birkin styling.
By India Roby Published
-
Zendaya Changes From Off-Duty Basics to Springtime Glam
The actress packed three outfits into less than 24 hours.
By India Roby Published
-
Sophie Grégoire Trudeau’s Next Chapter Is Still Being Written
Half of a power couple for the last two decades, she’s learning through projects like her new book ‘Closer Together’ how to be more whole.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
'Ginny & Georgia' Season 2: Everything We Know
Netflix owes us answers after that ending.
By Zoe Guy Last updated
-
'Firefly Lane' Season 2: Everything We Know
In the immortal words of Tully Hart, "Firefly Lane girls forever!"
By Andrea Park Published
-
31 Different Pride Flags and What Each Stands For
Inclusivity matters.
By Katherine J. Igoe Published
-
'Bridgerton' Season 2: Everything We Know
The viscount and his new love interest hit Netflix at the end of March.
By Andrea Park Published
-
'Bachelor In Paradise' 2021: Everything We Know
It's back, baby!
By Andrea Park Published
-
The 18 Best Podcasts of 2021 (So Far)
Like listening in to your funniest, most knowledgable friends.
By Julia Marzovilla Published
-
The "Berries and Cream" Trend on TikTok, Explained
If you can't stop singing: "I'm a little lad who loves berries and cream"...you're not alone.
By The Editors Published
-
'Spencer,' the Princess Diana Movie: Everything We Know
"Every fairy tale ends."
By Andrea Park Published