CHAIR: Sophia Burnston

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The year is 1978. The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), a proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution ensuring legal gender equality, is facing a decisive moment. It was first introduced in 1923, shortly after women won the right to vote. Nearly 50 years later, it is finally passed in Congress! Now, it goes to the states. 38 states must ratify the amendment, but only 35 are on board so far. The pressure is on: in a nation caught between the second-wave feminist movement and a growing tide of conservative backlash, led by Phyllis Shlafley’s STOP ERA movement, it is increasingly uncertain whether any more states will ratify the ERA. Plus, Congress just decided to extend the ratification deadline to March 1982. Will the ERA gain the support of the states it needs? Or will it stall for another 50 years? With the clock ticking, it is now up to you, the members and allies of the National Organization of Women (NOW), the National Women’s Party, and other sister organizations, to make your final push to get this amendment ratified.