Erin Rollenhagen papers

Collection — Folder: 1

Identifier: IWA0209

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Erin Rollenhagen papers date from 1994 to 1995 and measure 1 linear inch. The collection contains photographs, newspaperclippings, correspondence, and one of the t-shirts from Rollenhagen's campaignagainst sexist t-shirts in their school. Several drafts of the article Rollenhagen wrote about the incident for Seventeen magazine are also included.

Dates

Creation: 1994-1995

Creator

Rollenhagen, Erin (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

The papers are open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright held by the donor has been retained by the donor.

However, copyright status for some collection materials may be unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owner. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility and potential liability based on copyright infringement for any use rests exclusively and solely with the user. Users must properly acknowledge the Iowa Women’s Archives, The University of Iowa Libraries, as the source of the material. For further information, visit https://www.lib.uiowa.edu/sc/services/rights/

Biographical / Historical

As an eighth-grader in Ames Middle School in Ames, Iowa, Erin Rollenhagen spoke out against sexism in her school. In response to the Hooters restaurant t-shirts the boys in her school were wearing, which showed an owl whose eyes resembled women's breasts and the words "More than a Mouthful" written on the back, Rollenhagen and several friends created their own parody t-shirts, "Cocks--Nothing to Crow About," with the graphic of a rooster on the front. Several of the Ames students were suspended when they refused to turn the "Cocks" shirts inside-out while they are at school. Eventually both shirts were banned from the school, and the suspended students were allowed back to school. The incident received national attention and Rollenhagen was asked to write an account for Seventeen magazine.

Extent

0.25 linear inch (Photographs in folder 1.)

1 item (T-shirt)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Ames middle-school student who helped organize a protest against sexist Hooters restaurant t-shirts being worn at her school. Her account of the incident and the subsequent public forum on free speech, dress code, and sexism was published in Seventeen magazine.