National NOW Times >> Fall 2011  >> Article

NOW Presses for ERA; Multiple Strategies at Work

Nearly all U.S. adults believe that women and men should have equal rights, and the vast majority of them also believe equality should be explicitly guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution. So, what's the hold up?

On International Women's Day this year, Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) introduced a resolution to remove the arbitrary deadline that put a stop to the ratification process of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), thus preventing it from becoming part of the U.S. Constitution.

Congress passed the ERA in 1972, but stipulated that it must be ratified by at least 38 states within seven years. Feminists strongly criticized the deadline as a cynical effort to thwart ratification. The deadline was extended to 1982, but only 35 states ratified it by then, leaving the ERA three states short. Baldwin's resolution would allow ERA supporters to restart the campaign where they and their predecessors left off, with the drive to secure three more state ratifications.

NOW enthusiastically supports this "three-state strategy," as well as the new women's equality amendment introduced by Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) in June. A tireless force for women's rights, Maloney has introduced this resolution into each session of Congress for years now.

"This country needs an equal rights amendment right now, and NOW supports and works toward all strategies to secure its long-overdue ratification," said NOW President Terry O'Neill. "Just this year, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia declared that he believes the Constitution does not prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex. With women's rights under increased attack, their economic security in peril and attitudes like Scalia's, it's abundantly clear that guaranteeing protection from sex discrimination is not just a moral imperative -- it's urgent."

Each of the states yet to ratify the ERA has a strong contingent of activists, often headed by NOW leaders. In February, NOW activists and allies celebrated a step toward progress when the Virginia Senate passed a resolution ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment. Unfortunately, the House of Delegates companion bill was tabled twice, meaning no further action can be taken until the next legislative session.

This summer, the interns at the NOW Action Center created their own project to demonstrate young women's vested interest in constitutional equality. The first phase was a series of posts on "What the ERA Means to Me" for NOW's "Say It, Sister!" blog. At summer's end, they created their own blog, where they are spreading the word about the ERA and encouraging others to share their stories. Check out the blog and add your story! Then check back on on the NOW website for the latest on the Maloney bill, the three-state strategy and more.