The term “cat lady” often conjures up images of eccentricity and loneliness, a stereotype rarely associated with aspirational figures. Historically, this archetype, laden with negative connotations, has been used to marginalize women, particularly those without children. However, in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election, this outdated trope unexpectedly took center stage, sparking a grassroots movement and a now-iconic political symbol: the Harris Walz Cat Sign.
The unlikely catalyst was a resurfaced 2021 interview clip featuring JD Vance, then a U.S. Senate candidate. In the interview, Vance attributed the country’s woes to “a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and the choices that they’ve made and so they want to make the rest of the country miserable, too.” While initially overlooked, these remarks gained renewed attention years later as Vance emerged as a potential Republican vice-presidential pick, and Kamala Harris solidified her position as the Democratic presidential nominee. The juxtaposition was stark: Vance, the critic, and Harris, the woman seemingly fitting his derogatory description, heading for the highest offices in the land.
Kamala Harris campaigning in Georgia
The “cat lady” insult, intended to demean, instead ignited a wave of support. Despite marrying Doug Emhoff in 2014 and becoming a stepmother to his two children, the label stuck, amplified by Vance’s dismissive tone. His attempt to backtrack, claiming sarcasm and misinterpretation in a later interview, fell flat. The damage, or rather, the inspiration, was done. Voters, and even celebrities like Taylor Swift and Gloria Steinem, embraced the term, turning a pejorative into a badge of honor.
Adding fuel to the fire was Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the Democratic vice-presidential nominee, a self-professed “cat person.” While political pet stories often revolve around dogs, Walz’s feline companions inadvertently entered the political arena. His family’s adoption of Afton in 2019 and later Honey, after Afton went missing, highlighted his genuine affinity for cats. When Walz responded to Vance’s comments at a Michigan rally, he tapped into a burgeoning sentiment. “It’s not as if I didn’t warn these guys a few months ago: You mess with cat people, you will find out,” Walz declared, effectively transforming a personal quirk into a political rallying cry.
This is where the “Cats for Kamala” sign story truly begins. Inspired by Walz’s defiant stance and the broader pushback against Vance’s comments, sisters Leslie and Nina Hale of Minneapolis took action. Recognizing the cultural moment, they designed a yard sign emblazoned with “Cats for Kamala,” cleverly reclaiming the insult and channeling it into political support. Initially ordering just 50 signs for friends and family, the demand quickly exploded. Neighbors clamored for them, and word spread. To date, they’ve sold approximately 400 signs, demonstrating the unexpected resonance of their creation.
The sign’s appeal extends beyond just cat owners. Nina Hale astutely pointed out the underlying insult in Vance’s remarks: “It is so insulting to assume that people who do not have children do not have a stake in our future.” The “Cats for Kamala” sign, therefore, became a symbol of inclusivity and a rejection of narrow, judgmental stereotypes. Even self-proclaimed Republicans, charmed by the sign’s message and wit, purchased them, highlighting its cross-party appeal.
The “Cats for Kamala” signs, distributed on an honor system, have become a visible presence in neighborhoods, particularly in the Twin Cities. While Leslie and Nina Hale don’t plan to produce more signs themselves, they have made the design file available, even offering it on Etsy for those wishing to create their own. Their project, born from a moment of political commentary, unexpectedly tapped into a broader cultural nerve. The Harris Walz cat sign stands as a testament to how a seemingly dismissive insult can be powerfully repurposed, transforming into a symbol of solidarity, humor, and a reminder that “cat people,” and by extension, all individuals, are a force to be reckoned with in the political landscape.
