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- PART 2. Yes, Denice Robinson and I, of the PA Affiliate, traveled to the 100^th ERA Convention historical event. In the last E News Magazine, I shared the Day 1 events with you. But the best was yet to come on Day 2. Short recap-Generation Ratify and the Columbia School of ERA organized this event. Also, I forgot to give credit to the Alice Paul Institute for their financial support. The Generation Ratify has over 13,000 students in high schools and college campuses across the country. 

We are on Friday, July 22. We went to the Women’s Rights National Park building. The information at the many displays are remarkable. All about the amazing women who have led the way for us during our country’s history. The Park Rangers were knowledgeable about every display. If you ever travel to Seneca Falls, this is a MUST visit. 

For Day 2, the Generation Ratify and the Columbia’s School of ERA scheduled an Intergenerational Panel on the ERA. It was held at the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel which was right next door to the Women’s Rights National Park building. The topic was the past, present and future of the ERA. The panel was a gathering of the most extraordinary women who have led the way for ERA and the younger generation who are continuing the challenge.  The stage was set, and the church was packed.

• Christin Nunes, President National NOW

• Carolyn B. Maloney, President NY NOW, former Congresswoman (NY-12) and Board Chairman of the Fund for Women’s Equality

• Ellie Smeal, CEO Feminist Majority

• Rep. Cori Bush, Co-Chair of Congressional ERA Caucus

• Rosie Coulture, Co-Founder Generation Ratify & student at Harvard University

• Belan Yeshigeta, Co-Founder Generation Ratify & Student at Columbia

• Ting Ting Cheng, Director of the Columbia Law School’s ERA Project

• Moderator was Kate Kelly, author of Ordinary Equality

Our moderator, Kate Kelly, had her questions ready for the panelists. Each panelist was prepared to share what they knew, what they were doing and what they saw in that proverbial “ERA crystal ball.” It was exhilarating to hear each woman share her views but the one presenter, Ellie Smeal, had us all on our feet. Working for the ERA for the longest of time, she saw the ERA coming into the U.S. Constitution. Her faith in our virtual society and the http://www.sign4ERA.org project that is sweeping the country was heartwarming. She shared that 50 years ago we only had half of the country behind the ERA but now we know with the use of the Internet, we are reaching far more individuals. Each and every speaker was dynamic and provided insight into our ERA. This panel discussion did run over the hour provided but it was inspiring. 

We were able to take a walk to the People’s Park just down the hill from the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel. A beautiful scenic setting along Lake Cayuga to having a picnic and meeting more of the younger attendees. It was supposed to be a working ERA lunch, but we were all busy sharing stories about ourselves and where we were from. Plus sharing the National Federation Business and Professional Women’s Club was Denice and my topic. What caught the many listening ears was our organization’s longevity and how we came to help Alice Paul in the 1930’s. Again, we made many young friends but so many wanted to know what it was like before Roe vs. Wade. They had thoughts about that decision too. 

One never realizes how steep a hill is until you need to climb back up. Denice did the hike, found my car and the way to the park. Naturally, we filled the car with riders as we were to head back to the First Presbyterian Church. Saved a lot of steps. But the church was again filled with all the attendees. (Thank you, Denice, for being our uber driver.)

Our final session was the rest of the afternoon. There were discussions in groups around the church. All returning to provide input into the draft Convention declaration. A committee of attendees then took the draft and finalized a statement. An official vote was taken, and it was unanimous. (I shall try to get that statement for you in the next issue.) But what I felt was HOPE and lots of it. I have been having doubts about the passage of the ERA, but these 2 days showed me that this group, Generation Ratify, will definitely take us to the finish line. The motivation, the enthusiasm, and knowing what needs to be done whether on the Internet, with our legislators, or within our states and communities were being shared. Social media was humming during those 2 days as the younger group were busy using their phones with Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and all the other ways to communicate.

The closing ceremony was a member of Generation Ratify who composed a song and music to share with us. Her remarkable musical skills were warmly received. Our organizers, Rosie Coulture, Belan Yeshigeta, and Kate Kelly shared closing remarks as to the hours they spent putting these 2 days together. They were thankful for the many who came and attended. Thanking all of us for our participation and ideas. Lastly, thanking those of us who paid the $267 registration that so many Generation Ratify members could attend. 

We loved learning that part of our registration helped to provide transportation for many of the attendees. Some were able to find accommodation in nearby hotels. We even had some in our hotel. Those that did not get rooms brought their sleeping bags and slept on the floor of the lower level of the church. We saw the buses that transported the many attendees from the Maryland, Virginia, and D.C. area. We signed the Equality Bus. We met students from Stanford, Harvard, Howard, Yale, as well as students from their community colleges and state accredited colleges/universities. They were from everywhere.

My favorite moments- Standing at the church podium where Alice Paul delivered her Equal Rights Amendment. Denice and I both got goosebumps. 

Engaging with the younger generation and their focus to see the ERA into the Constitution. Plus, I will admit, being interviewed on what it was like 50 years ago, was a reality check. It was humbling but uplifting that I could realize that I did make a difference those 50 years ago.

Hearing from our ERA leaders of their passion and purpose. Ellie Smeal, Rep. Cori Bush-MO-D, and Carolyn Maloney, President of the NY NOW are true champions of the ERA.  Meeting them and enjoying their company was a thrill.

Our trip was definitely one for a lifetime. So glad that we had the determination to attend and be part of history. We made many new friends, made memories and learned that many strategies that are being used across the nation. Don’t forget to sign up with the http://www.sign4era.org

Please keep in touch with your Senators using the NFBPWC “One Click.” You know how your Senators voted back In April. We have been promised a revisit and we need to be ready. Keep clicking.

Key to the Photo Collage Above:

Top Row:  Photo 1- Nancy and Denice are in the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel waiting for Day 2 to start. Do you know the lady standing next to Nancy is?

Photo 2- The petition to sign for the ERA is online. Please take a moment and SIGN.

Photo 3- People's Park along the beautiful Cayuga Lake was our lunch site. Lots of conversations were being entertained among the many women and men.

Bottom Row:  Photo 1- U.S. Rep. Cori Bush, MO-D, leader of the ERA Caucus in Congress, was dynamic in her presentations. She encouraged Generation Ratify members to keep moving forward and not stop.

Photo 2 - The VOTE EQUALITY Bus was with us and we were all invited to sign somewhere. Traveled from the VA area.

Photo 3 -Denice and Nancy made sure that they got a photo at the very podium that Alice Paul shared her Equal Rights Amendment speech.