Levi's Unbuttoned: The Woke Mob Took My Job But Gave Me My Voice

by Jennifer Sey

Jennifer Sey was on track to become the first woman CEO of Levi Strauss & Co. As the President of the Levi's brand, she was widely celebrated as a versatile and inspirational leader who had helped save the iconic brand from bankruptcy. Formerly a self-described "left of left of center" progressive, she was beloved as the embodiment of the company's "profits through principles" ethos. But everything changed when Sey publicly opposed the closure of San Francisco's public schools at the height of the pandemic. In response to her 'wrongthink, ' management gave her a shut up or leave. She decided that defending at-risk children was more important than the job that she loved, and so she resigned. After more than two decades at the company, she gave up her professional future in order to retain her voice. In Levi's Unbuttoned, Sey recounts her remarkable journey from U.S. National Gymnastics champion through her rise up the corporate ladder at Levi's. As the highest profile executive to fall victim to the cancel culture engulfing America, her story is an inspiration for all those who, in these difficult times, feel pressured to remain silent on their most fundamental beliefs. The more Americans who stand up to "woke-ism," the better chance we have at creating a truly equitable and inclusive society. Principles and integrity matter. Ultimately, they matter more than anything else.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Politics, Business, American

276 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2022

Reviews

[Claire · Rating 2 out of 5]

Many thoughts. My mom bought me this book and I am trying to be more open minded towards her views/opinions so gave it a go.

The author has a very interesting background - elite gymnast as a child, mom of four children, producer of Athlete A (Larry nassar documentary)/general advocate for gymnasts who have suffered physical/emotional abuse, and then climbed the corporate ladder at Levi’s for 23 years ultimately becoming chief brand officer. She has historically been leftist, but during covid was very outspoken about public school lockdowns/child mask mandates which led to her demise at Levi’s. Although I didn’t agree with everything in the book and it wasn’t overly well written, I liked her personal story from gymnast —> #2 at Levi’s, some of her thoughts, and I had an interesting / productive conversation with my mom upon finishing :)

[Donna Reitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and admired so much Jennifer's courage and authenticity. It was a very engaging read and I felt like I could relate to her so much. This is one of these books that stuck with me and where I also felt far less alone after reading it. The explanation of woke corporate culture was very eloquently explained.

[Marti Eisentraut · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fascinating read. A woke liberal becomes the target of the mob because she speaks out against closing public schools during the COVID pandemic. Because she chooses to speak as a private citizen about her concern for public school students being isolated at home while private school students are allowed to be in school, Jennifer Sey is pressured to be silent and threatened that she'll lose her job. She is even criticized for social media posts made by her husband. Ultimately she chooses to quit her job at Levi's rather than take the severance pay and have her voice silenced with a nondisclosure agreement. While she holds many progressive values, she experienced the hypocrisy of social justice posturing by her corporation, the pressure of the woke mob to stick with the approved talking points regardless of how these positions have a negative impact on "people that are expendable". It seems her Democratic Progressive party left her behind. I hope she is right that someday wokeism will blow over and we will return to normal freedom of speech.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

An articulate and inspiring tale about cancel culture, sexism, corporate wokeness, and motherhood; I read it in a day.

[Mike Lisanke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book. And it's clear from my reading it that I'd disagree with the author on several things. But the one thing which we would agree on is that Cancel Culture and Censorship is Bad and that Woke mentality has gotten out of hand. And that Covid-19 Lock down was a debacle. I won't mention the several things the author and I would disagree on... suffice it to say, the author lived and worked in San Francisco CA and worked for Levi Strauss (a very woke company). So the author is Not a right wing nut or anything close. In fact, it's likely she wandered too close the middle of the road and got run over by those from her side. It's important that we find common ground on the issue of being able to discuss issues without partisan opinions causing irrational behavior. It's amazing to me that this behavior mostly occurs from those who claim diversity equity and inclusion! :rofl.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the book and if you want my honest review please message me privately.

I wore Levi’s 501 button fly jeans in high school and loved what Sey described about the denim softening so that the buttons would lay just right and open easily.

I switched to Wrangler Jeans probably around 2010 and not because of Levi’s politics and social practices but rather because of comfort as Sey so aptly mentions in this book. Levi’s have only 5 belt loops whereas Wrangler’s have 7 and the Levi’s sag under the belt in the back between the back belt loop and side belt loops and Wangler Jeans do not which is much more comfortable.

Wrangler Jeans can also be purchased for less than $25 per pair in 2025 too.

[Stephen Radford]

Use your voice, so I will

This by far is one of the best, if not the very best books I have ever read. I was captivated from page one. First off, Thank you Jennifer Sey for standing to the very end and beyond for what's right. To walk away from hush money and a lot of money is something most folks would never do. Yes, our voices matter regardless if the don't conform to the opinion of the day. As an over the road truck driver I worked everyday through the pandemic and encountered so many ridiculous requirements all for the supposed matter of safety. In the case of public school closings I don't think we will every know the full extent of the unnecessary damage that was caused. I applaud you for your courage, determination

[sue sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read! Finally somebody speaking the truth from her heart and her soul not selling out to others. We need more people like this author everything she said is everything I said during Covid I even wrote Governor Newsom letter a few of them. Why are the tot lots closed Governor Newsom? Why can’t we play basketball at the Local Basketball Court, Governor Newsom? I know your kids have access to playgrounds, basketball, and other activities. Viruses don’t grow an outside elements viruses need a motive Transportation look at the numbers look at the stats open the schools… I’ve always been vocal, sticking up for the little people, asking for raises, for those were afraid to ask for themselves. Jen I lost most of my liberal friends during Covid. People couldn’t accept I had a different opinion than them. Always say take what you like and leave the rest I try to find one thing I can learn from somebody who may be different and have a different opinion for me. Jennifer Sey THANK YOU! And I do never like to meet another female like yourself by me at agentsue.com. I would love to hang with you if you’re ever in San Diego Solona Beach.

[Sylvia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t finish. The author annoyed me.

[Dina Neumann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a story for anyone that cares about their future, their kids future, their grandkids future and so on. It does not care what your political or religious affiliation is, nor your gender, sexual orientation, etc. It speaks to anyone and everyone, most poignantly from the viewpoints of someone from the upper echelon of the corporate world. This is something that is rarely seen or honestly shared. It shows how someone who was most likely scared as hell to risk it all, decided her morals and all she believed in were more important, so she unknowingly jumped and did risk it all to tell the truth. This book is that result. Not only are the words on the paper compelling, but they are also very insightful. They really make you think about who you are and if decisions you make are true to your beliefs or to please others. It makes you think about who our family and friends are and do they really care and love us unconditionally. Can they or can’t they agree to disagree or even consider being open minded and actually listen to opposing viewpoints. It makes you think about companies (those you frequent and even those you don’t) that are taking away our free-speech (not something I, myself would even think about), not to mention the politics and money behind all of it. In my opinion, this book is not a “you’re either right or wrong” self narrative. It is the story of an amazing, courageous woman, Jennifer Sey, who is showing by example that we all have a voice to use and we should be allowed to use it freely and without consequences. I believe freedom of speech is a principle this country was founded on and one that made us the strongest country in the whole world.
Bottom line, I personally think the takeaway from this book, is to show that everyone still has a voice and we all need to use it to help make the world a place you want to see your kids and grandkids grow up in. Not a world that no longer cares what anyone thinks, but again, is ruled by those in power. The clarity of this jumps straight off the pages of this book. Thank you Jennifer for sharing your heartfelt, courageous and deeply emotional story with us, offering a first hand, behind the scenes view of the power the corporate and political world have over us and how important it is to use our voice (no matter how scared we are and no matter how little or big our voice might be). My deepest regard for your strength and courage in using your voice and sharing your story to help anyone and everyone!!!

[TheQueensBooksII · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a riveting account of an executive coming face-to-face with badgering and censorship at work as a response to her outspoken activities in her community and online. It's a story of courage and difficulty, and also raises questions on different sides of the argument.

At bottom, from my perspective, is the question of whether a company employee can or should pursue personal political activities—publicly. Ms. Sey's "crime" was to air on social media her concerns over public schools not opening during covid, when private schools were open. She could have easily enrolled her kids into an open public school, but that was completely not the point. She wanted to support the local public schools, and she had an opinion (that they should open), contrary to the leftist, teacher union agenda. She was protesting and vocalizing "as a private citizen." Levi's thought her job was too public for her to be able to do that as a private citizen.

As a result, she left her job.

The questions I'm pondering—as always—is, if the shoe were on the other foot, how would that go?
Ms. Sey, a liberal on many issues, was not loudly promoting Elizabeth Warren on social media or otherwise for example. (She admits to having voted for Warren). Would she have received the same backlash if she had?

Also, does Colin Kaepernick have the right to protest during the anthem while wearing a 49er uniform? Are the two situations similar, identical or completely unrelated?

As a nation, we are faced with a particular dilemma of some trying to silence many others. This is not healthy and is becoming more and more dangerous. I applaud Ms. Sey for speaking out & informing us of the inner machinations of Levi's. I hope that consumers can help them get back on track to their purpose, which I would like to believe is selling awesome jeans and not being a woke company.

[Leanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jennifer says what she thinks. She was a voice from afar that I admired and wanted to find out more about her. I read her first book on her gymnastics career and so much of it was about the sport that I had to glean her personality from the story. It was worth it, but this book by far provides her overall story and its a great one. Her ability to fully define her opponents views, but not lose her own determination exhibits how even handed she is. Her writing displays self-reflection. She has true character and boldness and that’s also very evident in her writing. She gives her husband credit for maintaining her backbone. I am so grateful that she wrote this book. She puts a voice to my own thoughts about how we neglected our younger generations during the pandemic. She abandoned Facebook in 2020 (as I did) and she suffered relationship fracturing from the pandemic (as I did to a lesser degree because I went radio silent). I think that’s why her book is so important to me. She didn’t remain silent. I read her story on Bari Weiss’s substack, I saw her on podcasts and I commented encouragingly as I saw her as someone the world needs to hear from at this juncture. But that’s not all - the woman knows how to write about corporate politics on a level that was fascinating to me. Her chapters on her corporate career were like we were singing the same song. She has a fluidity to her story telling that I really appreciate.

[Edie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jennifer Sey tells her life story and ultimately her choice to leave her position as CMO at Levi Strauss. As a child gymnast she was on track to be an Olympian. Due to the cruel, abusive environment she left that at the height of her achievements. She later started at Levi's in 1999 and worked her way up to chief marketing officer. Sey was in line to be the first female CEO, but Covid happened. She felt that public schools were being kept closed in California well beyond what was necessary and detrimental to children. She voiced her personal opinion against this, much to the dismay & frustration of Levi's leadership. She chose not to go along with their "woke capitalism" ideology and keep quiet, so she decided to quit.

I probably don't agree with her personal stance on issues, but I do appreciate her mandate to companies, asking them to make a good product, not deny they are trying to make a profit, treat employees with respect, pay a fair wage, and allow people to have personal views.

[Tj · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important account of corporate culture during Covid lockdowns that addresses the wealthy executives at Levis and their performative ideologies (while simultaneously downplaying and ignoring their own privileges).

Much respect to Jennifer Sey who spells out the sheer ridiculousness of what happened in California and America at large. Most importantly - an employee's right to their opinions and the freedom to express them outside of work.

This account of how Levis policed not only her, but her husband's social media, is a giant red flag to us all. It is a horrifying tale of egregious corporate overreach.

[David Benn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great review of just a small part of what happened in 2020 and 2021 in particular. If you come to it with an open mind you may just learn something. That such a large part of our society viewed the developments in 2020 and 2021 with a closed mind is disturbing. We must do better. We must be willing to both challenge and BE challenged. Our society has lost much of those attributes lately. Read this and be reminded to be critical thinkers.

[Wilson Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Courageous

Jennifer Sey stayed true to her principles. Her account of her falling-out with Levi's was gripping, sad, and somehow liberating all at once. She brought me into exactly what she went through in pivotal moments.

My only quibble is that Sey didn't see how the social-justice stance of the company, which she had championed, ultimately and ironically turned against her for her then-controversial views on how fear of COVID hurt students in public schools.

[Tony Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Sey has a fascinating background and is someone I probably don’t have a lot in common with. However, I appreciated her story of her journey with Levi’s and how she spoke up for children in a way she felt was appropriate and then was marginalized as a result.

I also thought she provided some interesting insights on marketing and branding and what worked well. As a finance professional, I enjoyed those pieces of the book as well.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely articulate and sharp author. Very well written and organized thoughts. She and I hold opposing views on many things and we can't be more different which makes me love her message even more. I hope Jennifer Sey does get to lead a company with her goal of an inclusive enviroment that includes viewpoint diversity. If you are unwilling to read this book based on the title, you are the person that really needs to read this book.

[Valerie Myette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’d give this one a solid 3 1/2 stars. I came across Jennifer Say through her clothing brand XX-XY. They are brand to promote standing up for women in sports. I thought this book would touch a little on that. Instead we rewind to the covid era. I think there was a little too much on the intricacies of the corporate world for my liking but once we got to Sey’s fight it got really good. She’s a brave and admirable woman.

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really interesting book written by a woman who was forced to leave her job at Levi’s during the pandemic due to her social media posts regarding school closures. (She also happened to have been a national champion in gymnastics in the 80’s). Her description of cancel culture is enlightening and sad. It serves as a wake up call to anyone who values free speech. A good and important read.

https://www.thefp.com/p/yesterday-i-w...

[Adam Mil · Rating 1 out of 5]

She’s a professional victim.

It’s embarrassing to read a white person railing against “woke” when she doesn’t define the term. For her ilk, “woke” means “black.”

Her prologue is a multi-page rant.
Then she uses past tense.
Then she breaks fourth wall.
Then she writes in present tense.
Then she sermonizes.

Then I stopped reading.

[Lori Ittner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating!

Every "C" executive should read this. Everyone else should too. She provides an explanation of woke capitalism that one recognizes and sees far too much in our society.

[Donna Garcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Someday someone will actually listen to/read/comprehend/understand the lyrics to Bruce Springsteen's Born ln The USA and discover it is, in fact, NOT a patriotic song. Perhaps upon this discovery one would share with others -- especially, say, editors of books.

[Patrick Macke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read an excerpt of this book maybe a month ago in the New York Post ... Perhaps I should have stopped there, as I was most interested in the potential insights regarding "woke capitalism"; what this is instead is part memoir, part rehash of the covid pandemic (no thanks) and part sermon about free speech ... That is not to say that the author doesn't have balls, in many ways her actions are brave, but it would be hard to say she was purely a victim of wokeness, because she provided at least a small degree of agitation ... The effort to stand up to the machine is to be admired

[Esther · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!! Not that any of this surprises me, but to hear it from a liberal CEO is VERY INTERESTING!!!! Loved it. Love her!

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very thought provoking

[Sonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honest and brave. Inspirational. Everyone should be this value driven. And there is no right more important than freedom of speech.

[Sherrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. It is a great book!

[Nina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I couldn't finish because the font changed on my reader and was impossible to change back. Much too faint to see anything, sorry. 😓

[Carol T. Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great advice

I know I am an old geezer, but I have seen a lot. Most of this book rings very true. I have seen so many people compromise what they believe to what they are told is right currently.