For WAC demonstrations in New York, Washington, Houston, and other cities, Bethany Johns and Marlene McCarty designed posters that amplified the group's image and inspired participation. WAC's logo, emblazoned on T-shirts, buttons, and posters, features a wide-open eye encircled by the slogan, "WAC is Watching/Women Take Action." Like ACT UP's Silence = Death symbol, the WAC icon publicized the group and galvanized its members around a shared identity. The considerable media attention earned by ACT UP and WAC during their heights of activity attests to design's ability to provoke action as well as sell products. [back] © Copyright 1996 Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum

WAC is Watching Poster, 1992, offset lithograph Designer: Marlene McCarty (b. 1957) Publisher: WAC, Women's Action Coalition, New York Collection Cooper­Hewitt, National Design Museum, Gift of the designer Hers and Hers Poster, 1992, diazo print Designer: Bethany Johns (b. 1956) Publisher: Women's Action Coalition (WAC), New York, for the 1992 Gay Pride March, Washington, DC