3.16.21 – Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)

Tuesday, March 16, 2021

Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)

In March, we observe Women’s History Month and the historical milestones and accomplishments women have achieved. Who would have imagined that over a hundred years after women gained the right to vote (through the 19th amendment) that we would still be fighting to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment?

The ERA states, “equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.” Originally proposed as an amendment to the Constitution in 1923 and later revised, the ERA would guarantee equal rights for all American citizens regardless of sex and would prohibit sex discrimination.

In the 1960s, the women’s movement strengthened the support for ratification of the ERA. Thirty-eight states are needed to amend the Constitution. By 1977, only 35 states had voted in support of the ERA. A major hurdle remains in place: the expired ratification deadline, which would be removed with passage of the resolutions.

Fast forwarding to the #MeToo movement, a renewed interest in the ERA arose. In 2017, Nevada ratified the ERA, followed by Illinois. In 2020, Virginia became the 38th state to pass the ERA.

The ERA Coalition, of which APFA is a member, signed a letter to President Biden and Vice President Harris, urging them to remove the deadline for ratification and prioritize this in his first hundred days in office. Senate Joint Resolution 1 was introduced the first week of the 117th Congress this year to remove the time limit required for ratifying the ERA. This week, the House Rules Committee will introduce House Joint Resolution 17, which would do the same.

Tweet/Tag/Contact your House Representative

The House will vote to remove the time limit for ratification of the #ERA, clearing a pathway forward. If it passes, we will be one step closer to an #EqualFuture.

Ask your Representative to vote Yes on HJ Res 17 or thank your Representative if they are already co-sponsoring.

Take Action Here!

The ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment is long overdue. All citizens of the United States deserve equality under our Constitution. Keep an eye out for more information as the process to ratify the ERA continues.

In Solidarity,

Allie Malis
APFA Government Affairs Representative

Lori Glattly
APFA Government Affairs Representative

[email protected]