Moderator: Ann Compton
Panelists:
Kimberly Peeler-Allen, Center for American Women in Politics
Kerry Sautner, National Constitution Center
The Constitution was created in 1787 as a living document that can be modified by the people of the United States when the need arises through the ratification of amendments. To date, 27 amendments have been ratified.
Perhaps the most well-known unratified amendment, the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), was first introduced in 1923 by feminist and suffragist Alice Paul. When Paul introduced the ERA she said, "If we keep on this way they will be celebrating the 150th anniversary of the 1848 Convention without being much further advanced in equal rights than we are.… We shall not be safe until the principle of equal rights is written into the framework of our government."
The debate over this Amendment roiled on into the 1970s with lobbyists on both sides. First Lady Betty Ford joined supporters and worked to ratify the ERA by making phone calls and publicly supporting the Amendment. Despite these efforts, the opposition continued to organize and the ERA fell short of the necessary 38 states needed for ratification.
On January 27, 2020, the Commonwealth of Virginia made history to become the 38th state to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. Nearly forty years past the deadline, the question remains – what is the future of the ERA?
Join Ann Compton as she moderates a panel discussion delving into the Equal Rights Amendment, exploring its history and its future.
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_zL1dF9mWRO-UxaJnFHHv5w