Levi's Unbuttoned

Jennifer Sey's career at Levi's began in 1999 as an assistant marketing manager. By 2013, she had risen to chief marketing officer and in 2020, was promoted to global brand president. It was widely assumed she would become the first woman CEO of the iconic brand. But for Sey, earning the right to fully express herself, especially on behalf of vulnerable children had been hard-won, and serves as the backdrop to the story. As a child and adolescent, she was among America's top gymnasts, in 1986 winning the title of National Champion. But that success came at enormous personal cost, both physical and emotional - and she eventually became the first former gymnast to blow the whistle on the sport's pervasive culture of abuse.

By then, she was already a top executive at Levi's and the company hailed her for her courage. But just a few years later, when she refused to blindly follow the narrative on the government response to COVID-19, her previously loyal "woke" community turned on her. None of her prior political activism in support of children, racial equality in the workplace, or voting rights mattered. Nor did the fact that she was the executive sponsor of Levi's Black Employee Resource Group. Nor the fact that she had led the company's initiatives on gay rights, women's reproductive rights, or gun control.

For all that, she was undeterred. She understood full well the long-term damage that school closures and virtual learning would have on an entire generation of children, and that the greatest burden would fall on the poorest and most vulnerable of them. After failing to rouse the interest of the mainstream media, Sey went on Fox's The Ingraham Angle to plead her case -- and the internal pressure to fire her reached a fever pitch. Ultimately, Levi's CEO finally told her that it had become "untenable" for her to remain at the company. Even then, Sey refused to a million-dollar severance package. Why? Had she taken the money, she would have been required to sign an NDA and stay silent about the whole affair--and that was too steep a price.

A riveting story of not only Sey's 23-year career at Levi Strauss & Co. but of her prior experience as a world class gymnast, Levi's Unbuttoned is a riveting read. It is sure to be one of the top books of the 2022 holiday season.

"Jennifer Sey stood up to the mob braying for her head after she had the nerve to publicly challenge draconian mask mandates and school closures. She knew her refusal to back down could cost her her dream job but protecting children was more important. In 'Levi's Unbuttoned, ' we hear the voice and resolve of a woman who's paid a steep price for the sin of being unapologetic and right. Inspirational!"

-- Megyn Kelly, journalist

"Let's face it: we lost our collective mind in 2020 and 2021. But amidst the insanity, a few voices emerged with clarity and conviction. Jennifer Sey's is one of them. She is a model of dignity and courage under fire. 'Levi's Unbuttoned' is a must-read for anybody seeking proof that dark times inspire bright lights. Highly recommended."

-- Michael Shellenberger, author of San Fransicko and Apocalypse Never

"At a time when America needed heroes, Jennifer Sey arrived. As the brilliant young Brand President of Levi's, she had a lot to lose by questioning COVID-19 mandates like school closures and masking children. But Sey continued to question, putting her extraordinary career on the line. She was a woman in the arena, taking abuse from friends, colleagues, and her employer. She never backed down, choosing truth over groupthink, and integrity over greed. Sey was proven right. This is a story everyone should know."

- Michele Tafoya, 4-time Emmy winning sports reporter and host of the "SidelineSanity" podcast

"In the last two and a half years, Americans have been subjected to an unprecedented assault on our most basic freedoms. Jennifer Sey is an American heroine who stood up to the brutality of corporate and government group-think on the most pressing liberty issues of our time. 'Levi's Unbuttoned' is the story of her fight against left-wing tyranny. Reading it is an inspiring and sobering experience. She lost her job, she lost friends and she was even rejected by some of her own family members. But she persevered - and the lessons she learned are informative to all students of history and lovers of freedom."

- Harmeet K. Dhillon, civil rights attorney

"Jennifer Sey showed tremendous resolve when she found herself in the crosshairs of cancel culture for expressing her personal opinions. In today's toxic social climate, a very vocal minority has the mic, and they are using it for emotional extortion. Jennifer refused to be silenced and never backed down, despite the sacrifice she ultimately had to make: her job. 'Levi's Unbuttoned' is an important book because it not only pulls the curtain back on the price that Jennifer paid for using her voice, but it also starts a very necessary conversation."

- Dr. Phil McGraw

"An inside look at woke capitalism from the vantage point of its highest levels and how the covid lockdown became a litmus test of loyalty. A stunning book!"

- Jeffrey Tucker, President, Brownstone Institute

Jennifer Ann Sey is an American author, filmmaker, business executive, and retired artistic gymnast. She was a seven-time member of the U.S. Women's National Team and was the 1986 U.S. Women's All-Around National Champion. Her first memoir, Chalked Up, was released in 2008 and detailed abuse in the sport of gymnastics. Sey also produced the 2020 Emmy-award winning documentary film, Athlete A, which connected the crimes of Larry Nassar to the broader abuses in the Olympic movement Sey began working at Levi Strauss & Co. in 1999, rising to chief marketing officer and then Brand President until, in January 2022, she was asked to resign because of her opposition to the extended closure of San Francisco's public schools. She is a mother of four and now resides in Denver with her family.

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