Images(3)

Button, Political

Object number2024.10.8

Date2012

MediumMetal; Plastic; Paper; Ink

Credit LineGift of Joyce Bender

DescriptionRectangular political pinback button. Plastic front with wrapped edges. Front has blue border. Front center area has three horizontal color bands, from top to bottom, red, white, and blue; red and blue bands have white text; blue band has white stars flanking the white text; white band has red and blue text to the viewer's right of a logo with yellow keystone surmounted by white stars and blue and white "D". Reverse has silver metal backer covered by black paper backer with chrome metal pinback horizontal across top center. DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth: 2.125 x 3.125 x 0.375 in. (5.4 x 7.9 x 1 cm)
InscriptionsFront has white text across top "Proud Pennsylvania Democrat".

Front has white, red, and blue text across center "D / PENNSYLVANIA / DEMOCRATS / September 3rd-September 6th".

Front has white text across bottom "Delegate Democratic National / Convention 2012".
MarksReverse has inverted white text along the bottom edge at center "PENNSYLVANIA DEMOCRATIC PARTY" and white union label in the viewer's bottom left corner with white text "GCIU" and "600-M".
Historical NotesPolitical button. New Galilee, Pennsylvania native Joyce Bender worked as an IT recruiter in Pittsburgh in the 1980s. A request to train students with disabilities in resume writing and interviewing at the Community College of Allegheny County’s Institute of Handicapped Children led to a pivot in her career. Joyce realized that people with disabilities were underemployed and not utilizing their skills and degrees. She started Bender Consulting which focused on finding competitive employment for people with disabilities in the IT sector. As an adult, Bender was diagnosed with epilepsy and lost hearing in her right ear as a result of fall related to a seizure. Through Bender’s advocacy, CCAC rebranded this program as the Institute of Advanced Technology. She became known for her saying, “People with disabilities need paychecks not pity.”

Previous owner Joyce Cilitti Bender

Related institution Bender Consulting Services, Inc.

Previous owner Democratic Party

Related institution Graphic Communications International Union

Subjects