Kewpie: Votes for Women

The "Kewpie: Votes for Women" poster made in 1914 by Rose O'Neill stands as a significant testament to the women's suffrage campaign. The creator of the beloved Kewpie characters first gained immense popularity through her innovative marketing approach, setting the stage for the Kewpies to become iconic figures, using them to convey potent social and political messages. Through the charming Kewpies, O'Neill engaged the public in a cause that changed the perception of women's rights. By seamlessly integrating the suffrage message into popular culture, she helped shift public perception, making the suffrage campaign more accessible to a larger demographic, combating the stereotype that feminism is old and ugly. This shift in public perception was instrumental in advancing the cause, as it made women's suffrage not only a political issue, but also a cultural one, uniting a diverse audience behind the movement. The iconic Kewpies, with their universal appeal, played a pivotal role in advancing the cause of women's rights and continue to be celebrated as symbols of both art and advocacy.