ERA Team Report

By: Nancy Werner, NFBPWC Advocacy Team ERA Lead 

EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT-E.R.A. IS BIG TIME in the News

Advocacy –Equal Rights Amendment.  “Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State on account of sex” needs to be placed into our Constitution. While most states have laws prohibiting discrimination of any kind based on sex, proponents of the E.R.A. say laws can be reversed or eliminated. Having a Constitutional Amendment would cement those rights. 

Seneca Falls or BUST- Yes, Denice Robinson and I, of the PA Affiliate, traveled to the 100^th ERA Convention historical event, leaving on July 20 from Harrisburg, PA. We took the scenic Route 15 that parallels the Susquehanna River into southern New York. We had booked lodging in Geneva, NY, only a short distance to the south of Seneca Falls. (The town was quite full of guests.)  

The Generation Ratify and the Columbia Law School’s ERA were our hosts. Generation Ratify has over 13,000 students in high schools and on college campuses across the country. We learned that they had been planning this event for a very long time.  On July 21-22, we participated in the two-day event.  Sitting in the First Presbyterian Church of Seneca Falls was quite an inspirational moment as Alice Paul was remembered. Only 21 years old at the time, the Woman’s Party and she were so hopeful that they thought her amendment would only take 10 years to travel through Congress. 

The program on Friday was jammed back. We were introduced to the team that put so much work into the planning. Kathy Kelly, Esq., author of Ordinary Equality, and Rosie Couture, Co-Founder of Generation Ratify and student at Harvard College, shared the front of the church with a host of dynamic guests. We met Belan Yeshigeta, Co-Founder of Generation Ratify and student at Columbia, Ting Ting Cheng, Director of the Columbia Law’s School ERA Project, and from Nevada, U.S. State Representative Susie Lee. Each spoke from the podium where Alice Paul once stood. The church was full of many Generation Ratify students. Maybe about 150 plus and the rest were the activists who still want to see the Equal Rights Amendment passed. (That would be Denice and myself.) Each speaker gave an individual view on what is happening and ideas to help the ERA move forward.

Another impressive moment was the breakout groups hosted by the Generation Ratify members. One was called, “Organizing for Equality: Direct Action 101” and the other was named, “The Best Way to Protect Abortion & LGBTQIA rights? Federal and State levels.”   The presentations were power points with discussions and input from the participants. What was learned was how well the Generation Ratify students are informed. Six weeks prior to the event they held weekly zooms to update their members on the ERA. They knew the information and came prepared to discuss. They took copious notes as they were all expected to return with information to their high school or college Generation Ratify groups. Let’s just say, they came to make a statement. Alice would have been so proud.

During lunch, Denice and I felt like movie stars. What?? Guess I was startled that these young students wanted to interview us. Questions - What was it like 50 years ago? What did you do during the early 1970’s? Were you on a college campus? Did you have marches? I could only share my activism on my college campus. Yes, we had marches and rallies. We were united and then I graduated as an educator in 1971. But I soon learned of an organization called the National Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc. that was supporting the ERA amendment. I even showed my red, white, and blue pin that stated, “ERA Is for Everyone.” I was 22 years old. Those pins were sold to our many NFBPWC members and worn proudly. Looking back to those years, I couldn’t believe 50 years had passed and we were now the senior mentors. But we did spread the word about NFBPWC.  

We returned from lunch to three breakout groups. Again, they were led by the Generation Ratify leaders. Gender Justice, Voting Rights and Organizing for State/Local ERA action, Intergenerational and Cross Movement Coalition Building and Faith Organizing Workshop. Amazing topics and the strategies that were shared in the discussions were well prepared. Everyone was welcomed into the talks.

Our Friday keynote speakers were Senator Pat Spearman, President of the Pro Tempore of the Nevada Senate, and U.S. Representative Cori Bush, Founder of the Congressional Caucus for the Equal Rights Amendment. She represents the state of Missouri. Both were dynamic in their presentations and shared their plans for the ERA to make the U.S. Constitution. When Cori shared that this would be the last generation to stand up and pass the ERA, the church went wild. Those young people were up on their feet and giving it their all. Must say, these two women have “spunk” and the charisma to make it happen.

In the back of the First Presbyterian Church is a group photo of the attendees at the July 21, 1923, gathering. So, to commemorate this date, the entire group went out in front of the church to do a retake for the 100-year ERA Anniversary Photo. Our group was a little bit larger, but they had the traffic stopped, boom crane in place and Denice and I sure hope we can find ourselves in the photo. 

Now, there were 2 more events that evening. A March was held down one street. There were banners and lots of activity. The New York NOW, Rochester NOW and Women’s March of Seneca Falls led the march and everyone took part.

Finally, at 8:00 p.m. Cori Bush and Generation Ratify had a birthday party. It was to celebrate the birth of the modern youth-led movement for the ERA with a birthday cake, party games and feminist fun! But it was also the birthday of Cori Bush!  Thought that was special.

Now that was Day 1. I was exhausted as the heat of the church was not pleasant. I kept wondering how hot it was 100 years ago when the women wore the long dresses and buttoned blouse. We did receive green fans when we came in the early morning, but they didn’t do the work of a real fan.  Denice and I arrived in our white jackets and pants with green tops. We looked the part of the ERA leaders. But those jackets were NOT needed. The younger people were not affected by the summer heat. They were still going strong and enjoying every minute. Generation Ratify did quite a lot for many students who were helped with financial aid to fly to Seneca Falls. Some received hotel rooms, but the majority were sleeping on the church floor in their sleeping bags. It was engaging to see so much energy all around us. I will leave Day 2 for next month. I need to get my wind as Day 2 was just as empowering as Day 1. 

Repeat Information- Feminist Majority has put out the sign your signature to the ERA. Everything you need to know is right there. Https://www.sign4Era.org  As Eleanor Smeal of the Feminist Majority has shared that our society is now a virtual society. We will be able to reach more individuals and provide the evidence that Americans support the ERA. 

Please pass it to all your family members, friends, neighbors, and colleagues. Your name will be logged and any new information on the ERA will come your way via your email. This is the communication that we have been waiting for. If you wish to applaud the creators, the 4 Rhode Scholars of Hunter College are to be congratulated. 

Keep going to our NFBPWC One Click System and use it. We appreciated every “yes” vote for the ERA back in late April. If your Senator (s) voted in favor, please tell them. But maybe this wasn’t the case and you saw a “no” from your Senator(s). Tell them what you are thinking. Let them know that you support the ERA. It looks like the Legislative Process is our way to travel to see the ERA become our 28^th Amendment to the Constitution.  Don’t forget the https://www.sign4era.org/