From Women’s Suffrage to the ERA | The Vote | Retro Report | American Experience | PBS

Summary

The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), first introduced in 1923, aimed to bar sex-based discrimination in the US Constitution. Despite initial support, it faced opposition from those fearing it would undermine special protections for women. The ERA gained momentum in the 1970s, with 30 states ratifying it within a year. However, it ultimately fell short, missing the required 38 states. Today, the ERA's fight continues, fueled by a new generation advocating for women's rights and equality, amidst ongoing legal challenges and political opposition.

Takeaways

• 📜 The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) is a constitutional amendment aimed at barring discrimination based on sex.
• 🗳️ Virginia's ratification in 2020 marked a significant moment in the long history of the ERA, which has been debated for nearly a century.
• 🏛️ The ERA was first introduced to Congress in 1923 by Alice Paul and the National Woman’s Party, following women's suffrage in 1920.
• 👥 The amendment faced opposition from women who feared it would undermine special protections like shorter workdays that were hard-won for women's welfare.
• 🔄 The debate over the ERA reflects the evolving discussion on gender roles and equality, with concerns about how it might affect women's rights and privileges.
• 🔗 The ERA gained momentum in the 1970s as labor protections expanded and the women's movement grew, leading to its passage in both the House and Senate by 1972.
• 🚫 Phyllis Schlafly's opposition, along with the rise of the religious Right, contributed to the ERA falling three states short of ratification by the 1982 deadline.
• 🔄 The ERA has seen a revival in recent years, with the #MeToo movement and the fight for equal pay bringing it back into the spotlight.
• 🏢 The House of Representatives voted to remove the 1982 deadline for the ERA, but it still faces opposition from Senate Republicans and the Trump administration.
• 🏛️ The ERA's future remains uncertain due to ongoing litigation and the question of states attempting to rescind their ratifications.

Q & A

What is the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)?

The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) is a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution designed to guarantee equal legal rights for all American citizens regardless of sex.

Why was the ERA first introduced in 1923?

The ERA was first introduced in 1923 by Alice Paul and her collaborators to address the legal discrimination against women and to ensure that constitutionally, discrimination based on sex would be illegal and unconstitutional.

What were the concerns raised by women who had worked for suffrage regarding the ERA?

Some women who had worked for suffrage were concerned that the ERA would eliminate laws that protected women in the workplace, such as special labor protections like shorter workdays, which they had fought hard to establish.

How did the labor movement's perspective on the ERA change over time?

Initially, labor unions and reformers were opposed to the ERA, fearing it would undercut hard-won special protections for women. However, by the 1970s, with labor protections expanding for both genders, opposition to the ERA from labor receded.

What was the role of Alice Paul and the National Woman’s Party in advocating for the ERA?

Alice Paul, a founder of the National Woman’s Party, and her organization were instrumental in advocating for the ERA over several decades, pushing for its adoption through Congress and rallying support among the public.

Why did the ERA gain momentum in the 1970s?

The ERA gained momentum in the 1970s due to growing bipartisan support in Congress, the rise of the women's movement, and the receding labor opposition as labor protections expanded for both men and women.

Who was Phyllis Schlafly and what was her stance on the ERA?

Phyllis Schlafly was a conservative activist who led the opposition to the ERA. She argued that the ERA would undermine traditional gender roles and take away rights and privileges that women currently enjoyed.

What was the impact of the Moral Majority and the religious Right on the ERA's ratification?

The Moral Majority and the religious Right, led by figures like Phyllis Schlafly, played a significant role in opposing the ERA. Their influence contributed to a receptive audience among women concerned about changing gender roles, which ultimately helped stall the ERA's ratification.

Why did the ERA fail to be ratified by the required number of states by 1982?

The ERA failed to be ratified by the required 38 states by the 1982 deadline due to a strong opposition movement led by Phyllis Schlafly and the rise of the religious Right, which swayed public opinion and led to states not ratifying the amendment.

What recent developments have there been regarding the ERA?

In recent years, following the MeToo movement and the fight for equal pay, there has been a revival of interest in the ERA. The House of Representatives voted to remove the 1982 deadline, and states like Nevada, Illinois, and Virginia have led efforts to ratify the amendment.

What is the current status of the ERA?

As of the information provided, the ERA remains unratified by the required number of states, with ongoing litigation and political opposition complicating its path to becoming part of the U.S. Constitution.