“Watergate Girl” Jill Wine-Banks puts pins on display for UWM students to tell her unique story
The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is currently host to former Watergate prosecutor Jill Wine-Banks’ pin collection. She is a firm believer that jewelry, specifically her pins, are one of the best ways to express herself and show support for things she is passionate about.
The display can be found on the fourth floor of the Golda Meir Library at the Special Collections Conference Center.
The exhibit takes up eight display cases across the fourth floor of the library with most of them showcasing some of Wine-Banks’ vast collection and the others providing some facts and advice from the successful lawyer. They have been acquired over a lifetime of work and signify some of her greatest achievements and tell a story that she wants viewers to discover and interpret.
The pins display everything from animals, including sea animals and birds, Alice in Wonderland, and symbols of a dynamic political landscape she has experienced. A big theme of the pins is to stand up to corruption and to vote in elections.
Jill Wine-Banks does not shy away from voicing her political opinions. An entire display case is dedicated towards voicing support for democratic politicians such as Al Gore, Barack Obama, Jimmy Carter and Kamala Harris.
She also has a display of pins that are dedicated toward her time as the U.S. General Counsel of the Army under Carter. Ranging from eagles to bells to flags, the display is a strong stance of patriotism from someone who has dedicated their life as a student of the Constitution.
Jill Wine-Banks’ pin collection is incredibly unique and shows the power that jewelry can hold in voicing an opinion. It tells a story of an illustrious career that is worth experiencing.
The pins will be on display in the library until Dec 2. from 7:30 a.m-11 p.m. on weekdays. Be sure to stop by the library prior to then to check it out for yourself.