UWEC Student Makes T-Shirt That Says “Vagina” On It

Mike Paulus |

We’re gonna take a big flying leap (with a triple flip) onto the bandwagon here, and talk about Catherine Emmanuelle, the UWEC student who is making some pocket change selling T-shirts that say "I don't endorse just any vagina." The Leader-Telegram says …

  • "The discussion was how we have a female running and how (women) feel like they have an allegiance - like they're indebted," Emmanuelle said. "We need to think about why we're voting for people. Who do I want to be elected? We need to do research."
  • That prompted Emmanuelle to create a way to make others think more about the candidates than about their gender. After two weeks of mulling over phrases in her head, "I don't endorse just any vagina" was born and printed on a T-shirt.
  • Emmanuelle's friend Caroline Wee, 34, was excited to help in any way she could.
  • "I said, 'Oh my God. We have to do this,' " Wee recalled.

First of all, “Wee” is the most amazing last name ever. Secondly of all, Oh my god, really, Caroline? What’s the big deal? Emmanuelle says she wants to start some discussion (and if you are reading this, mission accomplished, Cath), but it’s not like “I don't endorse just any vagina” is thought-provoking enough to generate more discussion than is already out there. I’m all for inflammatory T-shirt slogans, but this one could have been better. Laurie Forcier (dis)agrees:

  • Laurie Forcier, chairwoman for the Republican Party of Eau Claire County, thinks she knows what it's about - GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin.
  • "That is partisan," Forcier said. "I don't care what they say."
  • Forcier refuses to believe that Emmanuelle and Wee produced the shirt to make people think. Rather, Forcier sees it as a stunt to elude filing for tax-exempt status as a political organization. Furthermore, she thinks the wording is horrendous.

Horrendous? No. Effective? Eh. It’s just the word vagina. By the way, if any of you can send us a picture of someone wearing one of those T-shirts, we’ll totally give you some free stuff.