Dozens of Valley women are taking a political message to heart and making their statement in ink.
The phrase, “nevertheless she persisted," is now tattooed on their bodies to take a stance against the words of a senator earlier this year.
“She was warned, she was given an explanation, nevertheless she persisted."
Those were the words Mitch McConnell, the Republican Senate majority leader, said to explain why Republican senators silenced Sen. Elizabeth Warren at a confirmation hearing where she criticized Jeff Sessions back in February.
At Club Tattoo in Mesa, Stevie Petett got the phrase inked on her skin.
“I wonder if Mitch McConnell thought that his words would be a tattoo someday," she said to her tattoo artist.
But instead of a warning or a reprimand, they're now iconic words for some women.
“Like this call: nevertheless she persisted. That is a great warrior cry and just something to remember,” said Amy Carlson, who also got the phrase tattooed.
“He said it as though it was negative that she was warned and she persisted," Petett said.
Petett and her mother got their tattoos together.
“She raised a strong daughter, so to share that with her is cool," Petett said.
The event was organized by the owner of Club Tattoo. All four Valley locations participated. At the Mesa location, they were booked all day.
"It’s really cool. It’s really exciting to be a part of that movement with people," said Dina Lopez, manager at Club Tattoo Mesa.
For these women, the tattoo is a permanent reminder and a message to the world.
“Things are not going to go your way, people are going to fight you, they’re going to stand in your way — don’t give up," Carlson said.
It wasn't just for women. Lopez said a man also booked an appointment to get the tattoo.
Lopez said 25 percent of the proceeds will be donated to AZ Helping Hands, an organization that helps foster families.
