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It Was Never A Dress: This Campaign Will Change The Way You See Women’s Bathroom Signs Forever
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It Was Never A Dress: This Campaign Will Change The Way You See Women’s Bathroom Signs Forever

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Tania Katan, an activist, author and programmer, created a fun new concept for bathroom signs that she hopes will “shift perceptions and assumptions about women and the audacious, sensitive, and powerful gestures they make every single day.” Instead of the dress-wearing bathroom-sign figure we’re used to, her sign features a woman in a superhero-style cape with the slogan, “It was never a dress.”

Katan, the Curator of Code at software developer Axosoft, created the #ItWasNeverADress campaign to encourage more women to enter the tech industry – one that many people do not associate with women.

More info: itwasneveradress.com | Facebook | Twitter

The #ItWasNeverADress campaign aims to empower women by changing how we look at bathroom signs

Image credits: Jamie Kruger

Turns out the women’s bathroom sign is actually a superhero silhouette

Image credits: It Was Never A Dress

Creator Tania Katan aims to bring more women into the world of software development

Image credits: Facebook

She hopes it will encourage more women to enter the tech industry, which many don’t associate with women

Image credits: Hayley Ringle

“In science, technology, arts, mathematics, politics, houses of worship, on the streets, and in our homes, insightful women are often uninvited, overlooked, or just plain dismissed”

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Image credits: Lawdan Shodaee

“It Was Never a Dress will foster necessary conversations, vital voices, and images from around the world that honor ALL women. When we see women differently… we see the world differently!”

Image credits: Axosoft

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5453d14f96e6c avatar
guess
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Even when I was younger I always questioned the design of the doors-- what about the women who didn't like wearing dresses? This is cool.

abiezercelzo avatar
carolyn_meehan_35 avatar
CarolynMeehan
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am of the generation that have to disagree. It was a dress. I have never felt threaten by such an image. I know who I am and am proud.

p_james_farley avatar
PatrickFarley
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, I think this is silly. Maybe "It is more than a dress". But come on, it was a dress.

Load More Replies...
susanna.alsaeedi avatar
SusannaVesna
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Really?! I expected at least 5 creative signs! But she made only one & made a big deal out of it! This world is bored!

captaingrumpy avatar
captaingrumpy
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Millions starving to death but we worry about a lavatory sign. Sheesh.

scheeser_ally avatar
scheeser_ally
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Many more women are starving because men think they are better than women and take their food. If we change this stereotype, then women will get more respect and then the women with good ideas that would have died before could now share ideas that could allow more people to survive.

Load More Replies...
cait6969 avatar
CaitlinFarquharson
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Please tell me what a bathroom door plaque has got to do with wanting more women in the Tech Industry - i just don't see the similarity!!

glynislailann avatar
GlynisLailann
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Point taken, but if the signs on the loo doors were the same, how would one know which was the ladies or gents section?

scheeser_ally avatar
scheeser_ally
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have no clue. Words would never work. Neither could writing M or F, or G and B. Color coding wouldn't work either, (though not pink and blue) and audio would never work.

Load More Replies...
peterpetermann avatar
PeterPetermann
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i don't get it - whats unisex toilettes got to do with tech industry?

scheeser_ally avatar
scheeser_ally
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This isn't unisex toilets. It's trying to end stereotypes of all women wearing dresses.

Load More Replies...
iBear32 avatar
iBear32
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is really cool. I like how this awareness-raiser is helping to bring women into the tech industry; not just for the sake of feminism

setti avatar
setti
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What is wrong with wearing a dress? I am a woman and develop software and I love my cool summer dresses. I don't need wearing pants to work.

sean_mcleod avatar
SeanMcleod
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think this is a little rediculous... but then again so is prejudice on women in the workplace.

rosavaldez avatar
RosaValdez
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I find it infuriating that a supposedly feminist image manages to shame and degradem women that don't have an hourglass figure.

scheeser_ally avatar
scheeser_ally
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What do you mean? I don't know what you are talking about, but if something feminist related is shaming women without an hourglass figure, I want to know. Feminist should not be discriminating.

Load More Replies...
Melanie_McElhinney avatar
MelanieMcElhinney
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

More of a meme than a movement. And if the protest is to improve how men & women both see women, then why does she have a "thigh gap"?

kingflippnips69 avatar
Kingflippnips 69
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why is her apron on backwords? Jeeez guess they cant get anything right

maggieshear04 avatar
CupcakeQueen
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you see two bathroom signs, and one of them is a boy wearing a shirt and pants, and another is a girl wearing a shirt and pants, how are you going to tell the difference between the men's room and the ladies' room? YOU CAN'T! NO, PEOPLE! A RESTROOM SIGN WITH A GIRL WEARING A DRESS IS NOT SEXIST!

pinkiedonn avatar
AnyaSimon
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Whilst some might say this is stupid, its only a little thing. It's not like she's putting it everywhere, or creating giant billboards with it on.

cucumbersunite avatar
HazelWaring
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We get it. Women don't always wear dresses and it's good we now have the right to choose in most parts of the world. But what if I just want to wear a dress? I'm not accepting my submission to the patriarchy - I just want to wear a dress. It's just a dress.

greenshirtperson avatar
greenshirtperson
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow...Tania Katan must be super insecure about being a woman. I feel sorry for her.

freddy_happy avatar
ShadeWalker
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ah, so the other bathroom is not for females after all, but for superheroes. So, where do the women go then? =P

scheeser_ally avatar
scheeser_ally
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh my god. You are a sexist, loathsome, evil, twisted, demented, deranged, cowardly fool. That is not funny.

Load More Replies...
QvB avatar
QvB
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think its either a woman with an apron, or a man with long hair. Men with no hair must go to the other toilet

rosavaldez avatar
RosaValdez
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I find it infuriating that a supposedly feminist image manages to shame and degradem women that don't have an hourglass figure.

rosavaldez avatar
RosaValdez
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I find it infuriating that a supposedly feminist image manages to shame and degrade women that don't have an hourglass figure.

5453d14f96e6c avatar
guess
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, I noticed that too... but I guess we should celebrate what victories we do get? There's no way to make everyone happy here, I think :/

Load More Replies...
koblander avatar
KristinOblander
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think it's brilliant to use a well-known symbol like the restroom door woman to promote their cause of getting women more involved in IT.

cathy_creswell avatar
CathyCreswell
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So. I already carry self stick coat hooks in my purse to put up in public bathrooms that don't have one. I'm going to add some sharpies.

angelintraining1973 avatar
JennTafel
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would like to know how this could help gender neutral bathrooms, too. We need to get out of the binary. And this is a step forward!

donker avatar
ThomasDonker
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No it's a kitchen apron. Now get back to the kitchen and make me some pie.

scheeser_ally avatar
scheeser_ally
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't cook and I'm a girl. However I will for you, but if you taste an odd flavor it's definitely not poison.

Load More Replies...
dinesh831 avatar
dinesh831
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Turns out the women’s bathroom sign is actually an Apron Now go, make me a Sandwich :P

greenshirtperson avatar
greenshirtperson
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow...Tania Katan must be super insecure about being a woman. I honestly feel sorry for her.

timhughes1975 avatar
TimHughes
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It doesn't really reflect the average woman's size does it? Not every woman is what looks like a size 8! The average size in the UK is a lov

vuivalefrance avatar
VuIvaLeFrance
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Whoever said 21st century feminism is bogged down in irrelevant trivia and petty point scoring must be feeling pretty stupid right about now

QvB avatar
QvB
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think it's nonsense, it's actually a woman an with an apron on

chris_malone avatar
ChristianMalone
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

facepalms. only women can be THAT pathetic ... :l what a pathetic scum u are . pathetic. sad, pathetic, degenerated, useless, parasitic, evl

chris_malone avatar
ChristianMalone
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

facepalms. only women can be THAT pathetic ... :l what a pathetic scum u are . pathetic. sad, pathetic, degenerated, useless, parasitic, ev

martinw avatar
MartinW
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why can't it be a lab coat? Not 'heroic' enough? To the creator: There are lesbians who actually LIKE wearing dresses.

martinw avatar
MartinW
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pathetic attention whoring... whats next? changing the female sign of a circle with two crossed lines because the top looks to "christian"

Hadishville avatar
DarylJackson
Community Member
8 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Totally insignificant . Who ever takes notice. Just will confuse people. I don't want to enter the men's stalls. Leave well enough alone.

emma_jay_50 avatar
EmmaJay
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They're not actually trying to get the restroom signs changed.... that is not at all what this article is about......

Load More Replies...
5453d14f96e6c avatar
guess
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Even when I was younger I always questioned the design of the doors-- what about the women who didn't like wearing dresses? This is cool.

abiezercelzo avatar
carolyn_meehan_35 avatar
CarolynMeehan
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am of the generation that have to disagree. It was a dress. I have never felt threaten by such an image. I know who I am and am proud.

p_james_farley avatar
PatrickFarley
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, I think this is silly. Maybe "It is more than a dress". But come on, it was a dress.

Load More Replies...
susanna.alsaeedi avatar
SusannaVesna
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Really?! I expected at least 5 creative signs! But she made only one & made a big deal out of it! This world is bored!

captaingrumpy avatar
captaingrumpy
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Millions starving to death but we worry about a lavatory sign. Sheesh.

scheeser_ally avatar
scheeser_ally
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Many more women are starving because men think they are better than women and take their food. If we change this stereotype, then women will get more respect and then the women with good ideas that would have died before could now share ideas that could allow more people to survive.

Load More Replies...
cait6969 avatar
CaitlinFarquharson
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Please tell me what a bathroom door plaque has got to do with wanting more women in the Tech Industry - i just don't see the similarity!!

glynislailann avatar
GlynisLailann
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Point taken, but if the signs on the loo doors were the same, how would one know which was the ladies or gents section?

scheeser_ally avatar
scheeser_ally
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have no clue. Words would never work. Neither could writing M or F, or G and B. Color coding wouldn't work either, (though not pink and blue) and audio would never work.

Load More Replies...
peterpetermann avatar
PeterPetermann
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i don't get it - whats unisex toilettes got to do with tech industry?

scheeser_ally avatar
scheeser_ally
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This isn't unisex toilets. It's trying to end stereotypes of all women wearing dresses.

Load More Replies...
iBear32 avatar
iBear32
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is really cool. I like how this awareness-raiser is helping to bring women into the tech industry; not just for the sake of feminism

setti avatar
setti
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What is wrong with wearing a dress? I am a woman and develop software and I love my cool summer dresses. I don't need wearing pants to work.

sean_mcleod avatar
SeanMcleod
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think this is a little rediculous... but then again so is prejudice on women in the workplace.

rosavaldez avatar
RosaValdez
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I find it infuriating that a supposedly feminist image manages to shame and degradem women that don't have an hourglass figure.

scheeser_ally avatar
scheeser_ally
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What do you mean? I don't know what you are talking about, but if something feminist related is shaming women without an hourglass figure, I want to know. Feminist should not be discriminating.

Load More Replies...
Melanie_McElhinney avatar
MelanieMcElhinney
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

More of a meme than a movement. And if the protest is to improve how men & women both see women, then why does she have a "thigh gap"?

kingflippnips69 avatar
Kingflippnips 69
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why is her apron on backwords? Jeeez guess they cant get anything right

maggieshear04 avatar
CupcakeQueen
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you see two bathroom signs, and one of them is a boy wearing a shirt and pants, and another is a girl wearing a shirt and pants, how are you going to tell the difference between the men's room and the ladies' room? YOU CAN'T! NO, PEOPLE! A RESTROOM SIGN WITH A GIRL WEARING A DRESS IS NOT SEXIST!

pinkiedonn avatar
AnyaSimon
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Whilst some might say this is stupid, its only a little thing. It's not like she's putting it everywhere, or creating giant billboards with it on.

cucumbersunite avatar
HazelWaring
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We get it. Women don't always wear dresses and it's good we now have the right to choose in most parts of the world. But what if I just want to wear a dress? I'm not accepting my submission to the patriarchy - I just want to wear a dress. It's just a dress.

greenshirtperson avatar
greenshirtperson
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow...Tania Katan must be super insecure about being a woman. I feel sorry for her.

freddy_happy avatar
ShadeWalker
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ah, so the other bathroom is not for females after all, but for superheroes. So, where do the women go then? =P

scheeser_ally avatar
scheeser_ally
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh my god. You are a sexist, loathsome, evil, twisted, demented, deranged, cowardly fool. That is not funny.

Load More Replies...
QvB avatar
QvB
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think its either a woman with an apron, or a man with long hair. Men with no hair must go to the other toilet

rosavaldez avatar
RosaValdez
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I find it infuriating that a supposedly feminist image manages to shame and degradem women that don't have an hourglass figure.

rosavaldez avatar
RosaValdez
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I find it infuriating that a supposedly feminist image manages to shame and degrade women that don't have an hourglass figure.

5453d14f96e6c avatar
guess
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, I noticed that too... but I guess we should celebrate what victories we do get? There's no way to make everyone happy here, I think :/

Load More Replies...
koblander avatar
KristinOblander
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think it's brilliant to use a well-known symbol like the restroom door woman to promote their cause of getting women more involved in IT.

cathy_creswell avatar
CathyCreswell
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So. I already carry self stick coat hooks in my purse to put up in public bathrooms that don't have one. I'm going to add some sharpies.

angelintraining1973 avatar
JennTafel
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would like to know how this could help gender neutral bathrooms, too. We need to get out of the binary. And this is a step forward!

donker avatar
ThomasDonker
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No it's a kitchen apron. Now get back to the kitchen and make me some pie.

scheeser_ally avatar
scheeser_ally
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't cook and I'm a girl. However I will for you, but if you taste an odd flavor it's definitely not poison.

Load More Replies...
dinesh831 avatar
dinesh831
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Turns out the women’s bathroom sign is actually an Apron Now go, make me a Sandwich :P

greenshirtperson avatar
greenshirtperson
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow...Tania Katan must be super insecure about being a woman. I honestly feel sorry for her.

timhughes1975 avatar
TimHughes
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It doesn't really reflect the average woman's size does it? Not every woman is what looks like a size 8! The average size in the UK is a lov

vuivalefrance avatar
VuIvaLeFrance
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Whoever said 21st century feminism is bogged down in irrelevant trivia and petty point scoring must be feeling pretty stupid right about now

QvB avatar
QvB
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think it's nonsense, it's actually a woman an with an apron on

chris_malone avatar
ChristianMalone
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

facepalms. only women can be THAT pathetic ... :l what a pathetic scum u are . pathetic. sad, pathetic, degenerated, useless, parasitic, evl

chris_malone avatar
ChristianMalone
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

facepalms. only women can be THAT pathetic ... :l what a pathetic scum u are . pathetic. sad, pathetic, degenerated, useless, parasitic, ev

martinw avatar
MartinW
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why can't it be a lab coat? Not 'heroic' enough? To the creator: There are lesbians who actually LIKE wearing dresses.

martinw avatar
MartinW
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pathetic attention whoring... whats next? changing the female sign of a circle with two crossed lines because the top looks to "christian"

Hadishville avatar
DarylJackson
Community Member
8 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Totally insignificant . Who ever takes notice. Just will confuse people. I don't want to enter the men's stalls. Leave well enough alone.

emma_jay_50 avatar
EmmaJay
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They're not actually trying to get the restroom signs changed.... that is not at all what this article is about......

Load More Replies...
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