Dear Oprah,
I am an activist for women and my passion is using my voice and individual power to help my fellow activists finally achieve our dream of seeing the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) ratified. I often fantasize that I have an endless supply of funds that I would use to market the ERA to American people. I search daily for that newsworthy opportunity that will once again shine a light on the topic and capture the imagination of the public as it did in the early 1970s. But I haven’t found the funds or the spark to ignite the nation’s interest, so I write to you.
I have no doubt that you recall when women all over the United States were marching for the ERA. Celebrities such as Marlo Thomas, Phil Donahue, Valerie Harper and Alan Alda all publicly endorsed constitutional gender equality. So did Presidents Nixon, Ford and Carter and it appeared ratification was imminent. Unfortunately there were fierce opponents to the ERA. One in particular – Phyllis Schlafly – fought hard against women’s equality and used fear and lies to halt the progress. Schlafly managed to “STOP ERA” three states short of ratification.
The text is so simple:
Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged
by the United States or by any state on account of sex.
Republican suffragist Dr. Alice Paul penned the Equal Rights Amendment shortly after she helped secure women’s suffrage – the 19th Amendment. Republicans introduced it in 1923, and by the early 70s it overwhelmingly passed both chambers of Congress.
It is a civil rights issue – a human rights issue – that will benefit both genders and would protect everyone from gender discrimination. Some argue that we already have that protection in the 14th Amendment, but what they don’t realize is that the text of the 14th Amendment was very specific and only mentions men. That amendment was written to protect freed male slaves. Unless something is written with a very specific intent, any constitutional lawyer can twist and change the original intent to fit their legal agenda.
As you are well aware, America is divided and women’s rights are in danger. A study done in 2012 shows that a huge number of Americans support equal rights for women in the Constitution. The ERA is an easy sell to all Americans, no matter their political ideology. We just need the right person to explain it to the masses in a way that makes them feel comfortable. We need a high profile celebrity to put it on the radar. We need you.
American women have a lot of freedoms. But we don’t have 100% equality – yet. States can overturn, repeal and not renew local laws. Federal law is not as easy to overturn. The ERA would make equal pay constitutional law. It would guarantee that women who serve in the military have the same protections and pay equity that male soldiers enjoy. Women who have served up until now have fought, and even died, to protect a constitution that does not specifically view them as full citizens.
There is a disconnect when it pertains to this specific amendment – for many reasons. One of the most important is that Congress imposed an arbitrary deadline to the ERA – which was orginally seven years but extended to ten – and that deadline expired in 1982. The 27th Amendment dealing with congressional compensation was introduced in 1789 and ratified in 1993 – no deadline for that one. The fact that we came so close, only to lose after having 35 of the 38 states needed to ratify back in the ‘70s, was like a knockout punch to our spirit. Finding the will to get back up and fight is challenging, especially when so many Americans are not even aware of the amendment at all. Congress has the ability to remove the deadline but unless Americans demand it, the ERA will remain in legal purgatory – and we all lose.
It is the perfect time to reignite excitement and you would/could be the perfect person to start the conversation. Will you be that person? Please Oprah? The comments that this article will receive on this actual blog post, and on various Facebook pages, should be proof enough that women are still dealing with an element that wishes to erode and strip away the rights we currently have and have fought so hard to attain.
Gender equality isn’t political in and of itself, but it does require political action and awareness to ensure success. The ERA is a nonpartisan human issue. It is long overdue. It just needs a nudge.
Some useful links:
These links address any questions one might have regarding what the ERA will mean for everyone and there are useful tips and talking points to counter any argument against ratification:
The Equal Rights Amendment: Women Matter Use Your Power
Why The Equal Rights Amendment?
Why The ERA Remains Legally Viable and Properly Before The States
Justice Ginnsburg: Make ERA Part Of The Constitution
We Are Woman on Facebook
ERA Action on Facebook
Filmmaker Kamala Lopez is wrapping up her documentary on the ERA and it will include interviews with Gloria Steinem and Phyllis Schlafly. Take a peek at the trailer:
Sincerely,
Kimberley A. Johnson
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