The ERA was originally written by Alice Paul and Crystal Eastman, and was first introduced in Congress in December 1923. There’s still nothing in our constitution that explicitly prohibits sex discrimination. Gains in women’s rights — the right to own property, the right to work, the right to an education, the right to participate in sports — have been made through policies and legislation, which can be repealed. Women’s only explicitly stated right in the Constitution is the right to vote.
Over 90% of Americans agree that the Constitution should guarantee equal rights regardless of gender. Over 70% of Americans believe it already does. IT DOES NOT!
Congress had originally set a ratification deadline of March 22, 1979, for the state legislatures to consider the ERA. Through 1977, the amendment received 35 of the necessary 38 state ratifications.
Video: Why Hasn't The Equal Rights Amendment Been Ratified?
Democrats won control of Virginia's legislature—making it likely that the commonwealth will soon become the 38th state to ratify the amendment. For the first time in Virginia's 400-year legislative history,
Virginia Democrats elect first female speaker of the House. The law would enshrine in the U.S. Constitution a ban on discrimination on the basis of sex. Although the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits workplace discrimination, it only applies to companies with 15 or more employees.
Did you know the Equal Rights Amendment, which guarantees equal legal rights regardless of sex, has been passed by 37 states — and that constitutional amendments need to be passed by 38 states to become enshrined in that founding document?
ERA Coalition
Research. The ERA Coalition’s research has driven the conversation about the ERA in recent years; showing that 94% of those surveyed believe in constitutional equality for women. But 80% mistakenly believe that women are already included in the Constitution. That number is changing, because of our outreach and education work.
Beyond the ERA. The ERA Coalition has done extensive work on what we believe is the next step in constitutional equality. With a team of leading constitutional lawyers, the Coalition has drafted ACE, the Amendment for Constitutional Equality. ACE would explicitly prohibit discrimination on the basis of race as well as sex, including sexual orientation and gender identity, in the Constitution. Other grounds of discrimination include disability and faith. The ERA Coalition believes in equal rights for all. ACE would enshrine these rights. The Coalition is advising advocates and legislators in New York State about passage of an Inclusive ERA that prohibits discrimination on all these grounds. The NYS Senate passed the Inclusive ERA by a 62-0 vote in 2019. We have high hopes for an Assembly vote in 2020.
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Information and Resources
Official Trailer: Equal Means Equal
2016 (NR) 100 min.
Director: Kamala Lopez
Featuring: Kamala Lopez, Patricia Arquette, Gloria Steinem
Synopsis: EQUAL MEANS EQUAL is an unflinching look at how women are treated in the United States today. By following both real life stories and precedent setting legal cases, director Kamala Lopez discovers how outdated and discriminatory attitudes inform and influence seemingly disparate issues, from workplace matters to domestic violence, rape and sexual assault to the foster care system, the healthcare system and the legal system. Along the way, she reveals the inadequacy of present laws in place that claim to protect women, ultimately presenting a compelling and persuasive argument for the urgency of ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment.
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Download Equal Rights Amendment Background Activities
10 Ways an Equal Rights Amendment Could Make a Difference from the ERA Coalition A Constitutional Amendment for Women’S Equality - Is It Finally Time 
Equal Means Equal Poster 
Equal Means Equal Trailer Equal Rights Amendment 
Equal Rights Amendment 101 A Short Syllabus Equal Rights Amendment 101 A Short Syllabus PDF Download Equal Rights Amendment 101 Flyer Equal Rights Amendment Brief Presskit Equal Rights Amendment Opposition Talking Points and Corresponding Facts from Women-Matter Equal Rights Amendment Polling Press Release Equal Rights Amendment Talking Points It’s Time to Finally Pass the Equal Rights Amendment John Oliver Calls on 13 Final States to Pass Equal Rights Amendment Myths About the Equal Rights Amendment Debunked The Equal Rights Amendment It’s Not Over ’Til It’s Over Video: VA Ratify ERA - Support Final Approval
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VAratifyERA is an all-volunteer, nonpartisan grassroots campaign supporting ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment in Virginia. VA Ratify ERA reported that a desire to see the ERA ratified was one of the top three motivators that sent Virginia voters to the polls on Tuesday.
November 06, 2019 - Democrats won control of Virginia's legislature—making it likely that the commonwealth will soon become the 38th state to ratify the amendment.
Equal Rights Amendment: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO) There’s still nothing in our constitution that explicitly prohibits sex discrimination. John Oliver talks about how to fix that.
