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However, Winona Senior High School administration think the button could be interpreted differently.
A month after she began donning the button, Rethlefsen was told to take it off.
But Rethlefsen considers the button a matter of free speech.
"I think you need to be bold for things to change," she said. "I'm wearing this to support sexual awareness, gender equality, women's rights and freedom of speech."
The issue was mute until earlier this week because administrators didn't see her again wearing the button. However, Rethlefsen spoke about her experience a few weeks ago when feminist author Susan Faludi spoke in Winona.
Word about what happened got around, and a Twin Cities TV station came to Winona on Wednesday night to interview Rethlefsen. The next day, she met with WSHS Principal Nancy Wondrasch to try to resolve the issue.
The two still disagree.
While Rethlefsen views the button simply as having a pro-woman message, Wondrasch said others could have other interpretations.
"I believe in freedom of speech, and I believe in women's rights," Wondrasch said. "But I also believe this could be construed as offensive or harassment."
The principal said some staff view the button as offensive, but not because they are ashamed of talking about vaginas. One female employee told her she doesn't want women being heralded for their sexual parts, but their strong mind and good hearts.
Too many women are ashamed to talk about their sexuality, Rethlefsen said.
If people can't talk about their vaginas, she said, the subject of sexual violence will continue as taboo.
Rethlefsen there are more than 10 other students who've worn the buttons to school. While she didn't know if she'd wear a button to school today, she will go ahead with plans to make about 100 T-shirts with vagina messages for students to wear to school. She hopes it's a method of peaceful protest.
She said she'd inform the school ahead of time, and students would retire their shirts once they are asked.
While the American Civil Liberties Union has offered to take up her case, Rethlefsen said she'd only pursue legal action if she were expelled, which school administration say won't happen.
While Wondrasch will not permit these buttons as a way for students to speak out against female violence, she said she supports them addressing the issue.
The principal would like Rethlefsen to start a women's issues club at the high school instead. Wondrasch also offered to let her set up a table with information n though she would want to review the material first.
Wondrasch said she admires Rethlefsen for being courageous. However, she thinks the vagina buttons would be more suitable for a college campus.
Younger senior high students might not have the same maturity as Rethlefsen, Wondrasch said, and misinterpret the button's message.
However, Rethlefsen said that is part of the button's intention; people will ask what it means, opening up an opportunity to talk about violence against women.
Tamara Berg, director of Winona State University's women studies, helped design and sell the vagina buttons at a local production of the Vagina Monologues, a play about female sexuality. The proceeds went to help abused women.
"I love my vagina seems harmless to me," Berg said. "Vagina is a word they use all the way down to fourth-grade sex ed."
Because of the context of the button, Berg said she believes it is different than if it contained a male sexual organ.
"For young women, it's taking a body part that's socially constructed as nasty, dirty and something we don't talk about, and say, ‘You know, this is a part of me and I love it and I'm not going to let it be portrayed in a negative way' " she said.
Berg said she does believe there is a line between free speech and sexual harassment or obscenity.
"I just don't think the line has been crossed in this case," she said.
Some students claim the school has focused on the button, while ignoring other controversial attire.
Junior Ian Nicholson said students wore shirts Wednesday that had the numerals 88—representing the H in Hail Hitler— to commemorate Adolf Hitler's birthday, but he didn't know any who were reprimanded.
Other students said their peers often wear shirts that say "Pet my pussy," "I got lucky in Kentucky" or attire bearing Hooters or Playboy bunny logo without consequence.
"They just saw the word vagina and got freaked out," said Nicholson. He plans to wear the male version, "I support your vagina," T-shirt to support Rethlefsen because he believes the issue is one of free speech.
With 1,400 students at the high school, Wondrasch said it is impossible to spot every student wearing offensive clothing.
She said if teachers see someone wearing inappropriate attire, they are supposed to send them to the high school office, where administrators will ask students to remove the clothing or turn it inside out.
If students don't comply, they will be asked to leave, Wondrasch said, but wouldn't be expelled.
Reporter Shannon Fiecke can be reached at (507) 453-3519 or shannon.fiecke@winonadailynews.com.
