Equal Rights Amendment – The Latest News

Advocacy –Equal Rights Amendment

Part 1. “Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State on account of sex.”

Part 2. Give Congress the power to force the ERA through legislation.

Part 3. The amendment takes effect two years after it’s ratified.

I am placing the 3 statements in my article as #2 stands as the next step with insuring the ERA as our 28^th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

On Friday, January 17, 2024, our former President Biden announced the biggest news ever-The EqualRights Amendment was the Law of the Land. We rejoiced as he had only that day left office. But the questions soon appeared from many supporters as to be it the law of the land? Question and statements were mentioned in the media and in the newsprint. Lots of discussion going on.

We learned that the Archivist Collen Shogun did not place the ERA as the 28^th amendment into the U.S. Constitution. President Biden did not even ask her. The incoming administration fired her. She shared that she had no regrets. She felt she served the American people. But then we hear the announcement that the new ‘Acting Archivist’ would be Marco Rubio. Now he is already our U.S. Secretary of State.

But our questions are still swirling as to what is next?

We heard from Russ Feingold sharing “The ERA Is Part of the Constitution.” He was a three-term Democratic Senator from Wisconsin who was a Rhodes Scholar and a Harvard Law School graduate. He was remembered for placing constitutional principles ahead of partisan politics. He left the Senate in 2011 and began teaching at some of our important law schools. Presently he is president of the American Constitution Society. But what does he have to say….

Feingold says that the Biden’s statement provides recognition of “the validity of the Equal Rights Amendment.” Harvard Law Professor Laurence Tribe and Feingold have been arguing for the past 3 years that the constitutional requirements for ratification had been met. Feingold shared that the Congress passed the ERA by two- thirds votes in both chambers and sent the proposed amendment to the states for ratification, has fulfilled its constitutional role. The Archivist can publish without further action from the executive branch or Congress.

But now what is happening? The ERA Coalition in the past month has held two meetings. The discussions are about “educating the public” on the U.S. Constitution. Yes, provide information to everyone. We need to make the public aware that by working with Congress, we can affirm that the ERA is the 28^th Amendment. We, as a group, cannot bring the ERA to the Supreme Court, but we can establish “building blocks” to prepare for that day. One way is to look at the state levels that do have ERA in their Constitutions and the UN CEDAW.

A great resource is www.equalrightsamendment.orgPlease take a moment to review.

Then on February 20, 2025, the Alice Paul Institute shared a webinar entitled, “The ERA –What Next?” The panel consisted of Kate Kelly, ERA author and activist- Women’s Initiative, Zakiya Thomas, ERA Coalition, and Kathy Bonk, long time ERA activist and White House representative to first ladies. The Moderator was Molly, Advocacy Manager from the API.

It was a lively discussion as these ERA activists shared their strategies for the upcoming months. We need to keep ERA in public communication. Seems we have only Lisa Murkowski, R-AK, speaking out for the ERA. We need to communicate with our Congressional representatives.

Kate Kelly did share a site that you can view with some strategies.

https://www.americanprogress.org/article/the-era-solidies-womens-rights-in-the-constitution-as-the-28th-amendment/

They too reaffirmed that we need to be looking at the states that have ERA in their State laws and use them as models.

Provide funds to the ERA workers on the ground. This action is very important to keep it going.

SIGN4ERA will continue. Please sign on if you haven’t already. Encourage everyone.

Our work is far from over NFBPWC members. I will keep you updated as I learn of any developments.

Nancy Werner’s Sisters – Rose, Pat, Sonia, Nancy and Bobbi

Francesca and Nancy

Before I close, I would like to share a personal story of traveling to New York City with my sisters, Pat, Rose, Bobbi and Sonia, to see the Broadway musical production, Suffs, on October 1, 2024. (You met these 4 sisters at the Biennial of 2024.) We were greeted by Francesca Burack, our NFBPWC New York member, who served as our ticket contact. We enjoyed a fantastic lunch at Sardi’s and then viewed the play, Suffs, dedicated to the Suffragettes who led the way back in 1913 to 1920. The production was empowering as we saw the many sacrifices that these women encountered. It took us into the 70’s where we meet Alice Paul in her later years encouraging us to “keep marching.” The cast was ALL women!

It was so engaging that we, my sisters and I, sponsored a busload of BPW members from our area to see Suffs on January 4. The production seemed more empowering as we saw our actresses provide another dynamic show. The show closed on January 5. Francesca joined us again and so did Emily Van Vleck, our NFBPWC VP of Advocacy. The show will soon begin traveling in the upcoming fall so please if it comes to a city near you, don’t miss it. The memories of Suffs, the musical, will always be with me. I must say that Shaina Taub, the creator and star of the production, presented a determined Alice Paul. I can see why the show won a few Tonys.

One thing that really brought home the production was the last song, “Keep Marching.” I do believe that is where we are now. We must stay vigilant and keep each other informed about what is happening. Keep talking about the Equal Rights Amendment and don’t stop.

Emily VanVleck, Francesca Burack, Nancy Werner

Nancy Werner Advocacy Team ERA Lead (2022-2026)