NEVADA RATIFIES THE ERA!

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

NEVADA RATIFIES THE ERA! 
We now have tangible proof that our efforts to re-start the ratification train have been successful, and know legislators in 2017 can be convinced to take the issue of Constitutional equality for women and men seriously enough to make an effort to bring it about.

Both the Nevada Senate and House have passed ratification resolutions, and as soon as a few very minor differences between the bills (technical adjustments regarding the resolution’s transmittal, not the relevant text) are ironed out, that State will officially become the 36th to ratify.

The votes weren’t the traditional cliffhangers: It was 13 to 8 in the Senate and 28 to 14 in the House, so this was a very strong endorsement by the state with the highest proportion of women (40%) in its state legislature. Among the women in the House gallery on Monday was former Lieutenant Governor Sue Wagner, a veteran of the first ratification campaign in Nevada four decades ago. Nevada’s Governor, Brian Sandoval, is a supporter of the E.R.A., though state governors play no role in ratification and need not sign (and cannot veto) a ratification resolution.

Fortunately, Nevada is not alone in regard to states where there are active campaigns to ratify.

Other states have come close to ratification, but fell short by a few votes, with the fact that no state had ratified since Indiana did so in January, 1977, used as an excuse to pretend that the E.R.A. was no longer a viable issue. But if Nevada says it’s a 21st Century issue, there’s no reason why Virginia, Florida, North Carolina, Illinois, or any other state where there’s an active campaign can’t be persuaded to ratify.

This ratification now adds momentum to our efforts, and pressure on Congress to take a stand on whether its original deadline in 1979 or the extended deadline of June 30, 1982 should still be valid. These deadlines were never a part of the E.R.A.’s text, but are in the proposing clause, so a simple majority vote in House and Senate could delete both deadlines if the Supreme Court agrees that such a move is valid. But the need for Congress to address the issue is directly proportional to how close we are to having 38 ratifications, so each new one is a major step toward that goal.

So let’s ratify nationwide once and for all!

Contact Your Elected Officials
Telephone numbers, physical and email addresses for every federal, state, and local elected leader.

Paradise
Virginia NOW
Communications Director / Webmistress
communicationsvp@vanow.org

“We are not safe until we have equality guaranteed by the Federal Constitution.”– Alice Paul

National Woman’s Party Convention, July 21, 1923

E.R.A. SUPPORTERS IN CONGRESS:

This is a list of Members of Congress who have endorsed at least one of the E.R.A. resolutions introduced in the present Congress. If you are one of their constituents, thank them for their support, then ask what they’re going to do to bring these E.R.A. resolutions to the floor for a vote, and assure passage in the present Congress. If your Senator or Representative is not on the list, ask why they haven’t gone on record as being in favor of Constitutional equality for women and men, something supported by 91% of the public and opposed by only 4%, according to a 2012 survey by Public Policy Polling, and is now supported by 94% of Americans in a 2016 “DB5” poll.

===================================

S.J.R. 5: 29 Supporters
(28 Democrats, 1 Independent) (Sen. Cardin, D-MD, plus 28 co-sponsors.)

California: Feinstein (D), Harris (D)
Connecticut: Blumenthal (D), Murphy (D) 
Hawaii:
 Hirono (D)
Illinois: Durbin (D)  
Maryland:
 Cardin (D), Van Hollen (D)  
Massachusetts:
 Markey (D) & Warren (D)  
Michigan:
 Stabenow (D)
Minnesota: Franken (D) & Klobuchar (D)
New Hampshire: Hassan (D), Shaheen (D)  
New Jersey:
 Booker (D), Menendez (D)  
New Mexico:
 Heinrich (D), Udall (D)
New York: Gillibrand (D) 
Ohio:
 Brown (D)
Oregon: Merkley (D), Wyden (D)
Rhode Island: Reed (D), Whitehouse (D)  
Vermont:
 Sanders (I)  
Virginia:
 Kaine (D), Warner (D)  
Wisconsin:
 Baldwin (D)

===================================

H.J.R. 53: 146 supporters
(146 Democrats) Rep. Speier, D-CA, and 145 co-sponsors.
Two E.R.A. supporters are non-voting Delegates.

Arizona: Gallego (D), Grijalva (D), Sinema (D)  
California:
 Barragan (D), Brownley (D), Cardenas (D), Chu (D), Davis (D),DeSaulnier (D), Eschoo (D), Garamendi (D), Huffman (D), Lee (D), Lieu (D) Lowenthal (D), Matsui (D), McNarney (D),Napolitano (D), Peters (D), Roybal-Allard (D), Ruiz (D),Sanchez, L. (D), Schiff (D), Sherman (D), Speier (D), Swalwell (D), Takano (D), Thompson (D) Torres (D), Vargas (D)  
Colorado:
 DeGette (D), Perlmutter (D)  
Connecticut:
 Courtney (D), De Lauro (D), Himes (D), Larson (D)  
District of Columbia:
 Holmes Norton (D) (non-voting Delegate) 
Florida:
 Castor (D), Crist (D), Deutch (D), Frankel (D), Hastings (D), Soto (D), Wasserman Schultz (D), Wilson (D).  
Georgia:
 Johnson (D) Guam: Bordallo (D) (non-voting Delegate)
Illinois : Bustos (D), Davis (D), Foster (D), Gutierrez (D), Kelly (D), Quigley (D), Rush (D), Schakowsky (D)
Indiana: Carson (D)
Iowa: Loebsack (D) 
Kentucky:
 Yarmuth (D)  
Louisiana:
 Richmond (D) 
Maine:
 Pingree (D)  
Maryland:
 Cummings (D), Delaney (D), Raskin (D), Ruppersberger (D), Sarbanes (D)  
Massachusetts:
 Capuano (D), Clark (D), Keating (D), Kennedy (D), Lynch (D), McGovern (D), Moulton (D), Tsongas (D) 
Michigan:
 Conyers (D), Dingell (D), Kildee (D), Lawrence (D), Levin (D) 
Minnesota:
 Ellison (D), McCollum (D), Nolan (D) Walz (D) 
Missouri:
 Clay (D)
Nevada: Kihuen (D), Rosen (D), Titus (D)
New Hampshire: Kuster (D), Shea-Porter (D)
New Jersey: Norcross (D), Pallone (D), Pascrell (D), Payne (D), Sires (D), Watson Coleman (D)  
New Mexico:
 Lujan Grisham (D) 
New York:
 Clarke (D), Engel (D), Espaillat (D), Higgins (D),Jeffries (D), Lowey (D), Maloney, S (D), Meeks (D), Nadler (D), Rice (D), Serrano (D), Slaughter (D), Tonko (D), Serrano (D), Velazquez (D)
North Carolina: Adams (D), Butterfield (D), Price (D)
Ohio: Beatty (D), Fudge (D), Kaptur (D), Ryan (D)
Oregon: Bonamici (D), Blumenauer (D), DeFazio (D), Schrader (D)
Pennsylvania: Boyle (D), Brady (D), Cartwright (D), Doyle (D), Evans (D)

Rhode Island : Cicilline (D), Langevin (D)
Tennessee: Cohen (D)
Texas: Gonzalez (D), Green (D), Jackson Lee (D), Johnson (D), Veasey (D)
Vermont: Welch (D) 
Virginia:
 Beyer (D), Connolly (D), Scott (D)
Washington: DelBene (D), Heck (D), Jayapel (D), Kilmer (D), Larsen (D), Smith (D) 
Wisconsin:
 Kind (D), Moore (D), Pocan (D)===================================

S.J.R. 6: 13 supporters, 13 Democrats).
(Sen. Menendez, D-NJ, and 11 co-sponsors)

California: Feinstein (D)
Connecticut: Murphy (D) Delaware: Carper (D), Coons (D)  
Illinois:
 Durbin (D)
Maryland: Cardin (D), Van Hollen (D)
Massachusetts: Markey (D), Warren (D)  
New Jersey:
 Booker (D) Menendez (D)
New York: Gillibrand (D)  
Ohio:
 Brown (D)

===================================

H.J.R. 33: 101 supporters
(96 Democrats, 5 Republicans)
(Rep. Maloney, D-NY, and 100 co-sponsors. One supporter, Holmes-Norton of D.C., is a non-voting Delegate.)

Arizona: Gallego (D), Grijalva (D)  
California:
 Aguilar (D), Brownley (D), Capps (D), Cardenas (D), Chu (D), Davis (D), DeSaulnier (D), Eshoo (D), Huffman (D), Lee (D), Lieu (D) Lofgren (D), Matsui (D), Sanchez (D), Schiff (D), Speier (D), Sherman (D), Swalwell (D), Takano (D), Thompson (D)  
Colorado:
 DeGette (D), Polis (D) 
Connecticut:
 Courtney (D), Larson (D)
Delaware: Rochester (D)  
District of Columbia:
 Holmes Norton (D) (non-voting Delegate) 
Florida:
 Castor (D), Crist (D), Demings (D), Deutch (D), Hastings (D), Lawson (D), Wilson (D)  
Georgia:
 Bishop (D), Johnson (D), Scott (D)  
Hawaii:
 Hanabusa (D) 
Illinois:
 Davis (D), Gutierrez (D), Kelly (D), Schakowsky (D)
Iowa: Loebsack (D)
Maine: Pingree (D)  
Maryland:
 Cummings (D), Delaney (D), Hoyer (D), Raskin (D), Sarbanes (D)
Massachusetts: Keating (D), Kennedy (D), Lynch (D), McGovern (D), Moulton (D), Tsongas (D)  
Michigan:
 Conyers (D), Dingell (D), Kildee (D), Lawrence (D) 
Minnesota:
 Walz (D)  
Mississippi:
 Thompson (D) 
Missouri:
 Clay (D) 
New Hampshire:
 Kuster (D), Shea-Porter (D)
New Jersey: Frelinghuysen (R), Gotheimer (D), Lance (R), LoBiando (R), Norcross (D), Pallone (D), Sires (D), Watson Coleman (D)
New Mexico: Lujan Grisham (D)  
New York:
 Clarke (D), Crowley (D), Engel (D), Espaillat (D), Higgins (D), Jeffries (D), Lowey (D), Maloney, C. (D), Meng (D), Nadler (D), Reed (R), Rice (D), Serrano (D), Velazquez (D).  
North Carolina:
 Adams (D)  
Ohio:
 Fudge (D)  
Oregon:
 Bonamici (D)
Pennsylvania: Boyle (D), Cartwright (D) Dent (R)
Rhode Island: Cicilline (D)  
Tennessee:
 Cohen (D), Cooper (D)  
Texas:
 Jackson Lee (D)  
Virginia:
 Beyer (D), Connolly (D), McEachin (D)
Washington: Larsen (D)
Wisconsin: Kind (D), Pocan (D)

===================================

SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE:
CHAIR:
 Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA)
MEMBERS: Blumenthal (D-CT). Coons (D-DE) Cornyn (R-TX), Crapo (R-ID) Cruz (R-TX), Durbin (D-IL), Feinstein (D-CA), Flake (R-AZ), Franken (D-MN), Graham (R-SC), Hatch (R-UT), Hirono (D-HI) Kennedy (R-LA) Klobuchar (D-MN), Leahy (D-VT), Lee (R-UT), Sasse (R-NE) Tillis (R-NC), Whitehouse (D-RI)

Contact:
Sen. Chuck Grassley (202) 224-3744 grassley.senate.gov @ChuckGrassley
Sen. Patrick Leahy (202) 224-4242 leahy.senate.gov @SenatorLeahy

=====================================

HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
CHAIR:
 Representative Bob Goodlatte (R-VA)
MEMBERS: Bass (D-CA), Chabot (R-OH), Chaffetz (R-UT), Chu (D-CA), Cicilline (D-RI), Cohen (D-TN), Conyers (D-MI), DeSantis (R-FL), Deutsch (D-FL) Farenthold (R-TX), Franks (R-AZ), Gohmert (R-TX), Goodlatte (R-VA) Gowdy (R-SC), Gutierrez (D-IL), Issa (R-CA), Jackson Lee (D-TX), Jeffries (D-NY) Johnson (D-GA), Jordan (R-OH), King (R-IA), Labrador (R-ID), Lieu (D-CA) Lofgren (D-CA), Marino (R-PA), Nadler (D-NY), Poe (R-TX), Richmond (D-LA) Sensenbrenner (R-WI), Smith (R-TX), Swalwell (D-CA)

Contact:
Rep. Bob Goodlatte (202) 225-5431 goodlatte.house.gov @RepGoodlatte
Rep. John Conyers, Jr. (202) 225-5126 conyers.house.gov @RepJohnConyers

HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE ON THE CONSTITUTION AND CIVIL JUSTICE: 

Rep. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ) Rep. Louis Gohmert (R-TX) Rep. Steve King (R-IA), Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-SC). Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN)
Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD)

Special thanks to David Dismore for compiling all of this info!
Giving to Virginia NOW supports our mission for women’s economic, legal, social, and personal equality in all areas of life.  

We’re Not Finished With the Women’s Liberation Movement

Yes!  We’re making civil liberties victories left and right!

However, without the Equal Rights Amendment, these same civil rights will reappear in new bills in future legislative sessions, requiring another round of battles.

The ERA would place women into the constitution giving them full equality and citizenship.  Once ratified, there will be no necessity for all these individual civil rights battles.

 

The ERA is for every citizen.  Whether you’re a tea-party woman or a feminist man, the ERA will benefit you. 

 

Males Also Benefit From An ERA Ratification
by Virginia NOW’s President, Diana Egozcue

 

 ERA Factsheet

ERA Logo by Paradise Kendra



Let’s Ratify!

Paradise
Virginia NOW
Communications VP/Webmistress

Image

The 1st Woman President Needs Equal Rights!!!

Dear Virginia,

Happy ERA Monday, and Happy Presidents Day!! It’s a double day, and I have a double request of you.

First: Del. Mark Cole holds an open house at his office tomorrow, Feb. 17. Activists will be present as the weather allows,
but snow can’t stop email, or phone calls!!!

Click here for a post with a great email for Chair Cole and his contact information. Tell him the ERA MUST BE PUT ON THE DOCKET and moved into the full Privileges and Elections Committee.

Please, send the same email to Speaker Howell.

This committee is heavily resistant. We must push hard this week! On the same post, you can contact the whole committee.

When pressed, their objections tend to crumble down to traditional and fundamentalist forms of sexism. Show them that’s the only reason they could refuse us our rights.

Feel some tweetage coming on? Yeah, me too.

To tweet the House: @VaHouse.
To tweet the House GOP: @vahousegop.
To tweet the Hosue Dems: @VAHouseDems.

1st Woman #POTUS deserves full #civilrights, #RatifyERA, SJ 216 on the P&E docket!!

(*)   (*)   (*)

Second, in honor of Presidents Day, I ask you for one more action.

The fundamental political difference between the first woman president and all the men before her is that she might not enjoy fully protected civil rights under the Constitution she will swear to defend and protect.

Clinton? Warren? … Clinton/Warren?
Warren/Clinton? President Seal
Who knows.

This week, let’s focus on the Senate.

Send them this email:
Email Page for Senator Warner
Email Page for Senator Kaine
 
 
Subject: Please Support Women’s Civil Rights, Lift the Deadline on Ratification

Dear Honorable Senator _______,

You serve with women who swear to protect and defend the Constitution, but are not fully protected by it. Our nation’s daughters have long risked their lives in our wars, but are not yet fully protected by that Constitution.

On this Presidents Day, consider: our next president could well be a woman — who still may not be fully invested with the civil rights enshrined in our laws.

This is an inconsistency that should not stand for one more year. This March when Senator Cardin offers a new resolution, please sign on to support it and then encourage your colleagues to do so — especially friendlier Republicans. Cardin aims for vigorous bi-partisan support.

Ratification of Equal Rights Amendment would accomplish one civil goal: it would mend the patchwork of laws that currently tack together the rag doll of women’s citizenship.

I urge you to join which would remove the historically aberrant and wholly arbitrary deadline on ratification.

Justices Scalia and Ginsberg agree on one thing: the 14th Amendment clearly applies only to “male citizens” and “male inhabitants” of the Republic. What “rights” women do have are only supported by laws and statutes — all of which can change given a hostile political wind.

Our nation’s women are caught in a stalemate. States wait for a signal from Congress, Congress for a signal from the states. Be first, lead, honor the nation’s women with fully established civil rights. Assure us that a future female president will not be so civilly vulneralby as women are today. Send the signal — it’s time for ratification. Lift the deadline.

Let the Constitution protect and defend our women as our women do the Constitution.

With my lasting gratitude for your service to our state and the nation,
Your Name
City, State

ERA Vote is Monday — Sample Email, 5 to Call NOW

Click here for the sample emails and contact info.

The Vote is Noon on Monday. We have very strong opposition, and we need this vote in order to move on to the House of Delegates — where we will need to double down.

Call today and Monday. Email and Tweet your hearts out over the weekend!

Thank you, Virginia!! For all the energy you have given, and all you will give. You are the ones we have been waiting for!

For women!

Simone Roberts, your friendly Web Editor, etc., etc., etc.

Let’s Keep the Momentum Up! — Legislation Update

It’s exciting to report some momentum in our women’s agenda. Women’s voices – and women’s votes – may be getting through to more elected officials. Please continue to contact them – there’s more to do (read on).  

Yesterday was a good day for Virginia women. A bill to restrict access to guns for those convicted of domestic violence (Senate Bill 943, patroned by Senator Barbara Favola) and another bill to expand the anti-stalking statute (Senate Bill 1297, patroned by Senator Don McEachin) passed a Senate committee.  

But, as I said, there’s more to do. A companion gun bill (introduced by Delegate Kathleen Murphy, whom NOW members worked to elect) will be heard tomorrow (Friday) in House Militia, Police, and Public Safety Subcommittee #1. It needs immediate calls. The bill (House Bill 2085) would restrict possession of guns by those convicted of domestic abuse, stalking, sexual battery, and other violent misdemeanors.

Please call and email these delegates and ask them to vote YES on HB2085 to keep guns away from domestic abusers: 

Delegate Thomas Wright  (804) 698-1061       DelTWright@house.virginia.gov

Delegate Todd Gilbert       (804) 698-1015      DelTGilbert@house.virginia.gov

Delegate Michael Webert (804) 698-1018       DelMWebert@house.virginia.gov

Delegate Matthew Fariss  (804) 698-1059      DelMFariss@house.virginia.gov 

Delegate Rosalyn Tyler     (804) 698-1075      DelRTyler@house.virginia.gov

There’s also a good anti-stalking bill in the House of Delegates, patroned by Jackson Miller (HB1453). We’ve contacted Delegate Miller about our support for the bill; it should be heard tomorrow.

More great news: The ERA resolution passed the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee and will go to the Senate floor. NOW and our allies in the Women’s Equality Coalition continue to work hard to pass the ERA. Watch Virginia ERA Network for updates.

Bad news: An abortion ban bill has been introduced by Delegate Dave LaRock. The bill, HB2321, would unconstitutionally ban all abortions after 20 weeks. Elections matter! We worked hard to defeat Tea Partier LaRock. All 100 delegate seats and all 40 senate seats are up this November. Our Virginia NOW Political Action Committee (PAC) will again be working hard for candidates who support women and equality.  Stay tuned – we need your support!  

Also

Contact Board of Health
We have until February 11 to submit comments supporting the amended
TRAP regulations for women’s health centers.
Submit your comment today.
Thank you for all you do every day for women and girls.

Marj Signer, Virginia NOW Legislative Vice-President 

ERA, Make or Break Vote Tues 9am, then maybe at 4pm

CORRECTED!! ERA, SJ216 TO SUBCOMMITTEE ON CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS, 9 AM TUESDAY, THIRD FLOOR EAST CONFERENCE ROOM AT THE GA.

IF SUCCESSFUL, BILL WILL MOVE THROUGH TO P&E (as below) AT 4 PM.

BOTH COMMITTEES NEED CONTACT FROM US, FROM AS MANY EQUALITY SUPPORTERS AS POSSIBLE.

CORRECTED COMMITTEE AND CONTACT INFORMATION BELOW.

Progress! Hurray! The Senate Privileges and Elections Committee has the ERA on its docket forTUESDAY, JANUARY 27TH AT 3 PM. All the Twitters and the email contacts below are focused for this committee and this vote on Tuesday.

Advocates from the whole WEA Coalition will be on hand to encourage these fine folks to approve SJ216  and move on to a vote in the Senate.

This vote makes or breaks the ERA for this year, advocates. No here means no cross-over, no vote in the House of Delegates. Done.

We need ERA YES on TUESDAY!!

Dems, Miller and Alexander need our support.

GOP, Martin, Smith, Reed, and Garrett (Chair) are not supportive. They must be papered with emails, tweets, phone calls.  We might be outvoted 4 to 2.  

NO HIDDEN VOTES ON CIVIL RIGHTS.
SJ216 MUSS PASS THROUGH.

Chair Vogel, of the P&E is very supportive of the Equal Rights Amendment.Though a Republican, and not with us on matters of choice, she has stated to Women Matter that she’ll staunchly support the bill.

Please be sure to email/tweet/call your support to her and thank for standing for standing with women for equality.

If you want to join our advocates at the General Assembly, they’re meeting at Senate Room A. Please,RSVP to this Facebook event.

ERAAction will lead an online campaign to tweet and message the committee: their Twitter, and their Facebook. Of course, we’ll be lighting up our social media on Monday and Tuesday, too.

To email the Constitutional Amendments Subcommittee and demand SJ216 pass through and move toward a public and proud vote in the Senate on this essential matter of civil rights for women. No hidden vote will be acceptable to the women of the Commonwealth.

Copy this list in your To Line: 

“Tom Garrett” <district22@senate.virginia.gov>, “Kenneth Alexander” <district05@senate.virginia.gov>, “John Miller” <district01@senate.virginia.gov>, “Bill Carrico” <district40@senate.virginia.gov>, “Steve Martin” <district11@senate.virginia.gov>, “Raplh Smith” <ralphsmithsenate@cox.net>, “Bryce Reeves” <district17@senate.virginia.gov>
Dems, Miller and Alexander need our support.
GOP, Martin, Smith, Reeves, and Garrett (Chair)
all unfriendly

Sample Text:
Dear Chairperson Garret and Honorable Members of the Subcommittee,I write simply to insist that SJ216 – on the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment -pass through and move toward a public and proud vote in the Senate on this essential matter of civil rights for women. No hidden vote will be acceptable to the women of the Commonwealth, and your support of women’s essential constitutional equality will be well remembered.

Women are not yet fully recognized citizens in the Constitution. That’s why we have this patch work of laws “protecting” us. We are not otherwise fully enfranchised citizens assure of our civil rights.The 14th Amendment to the Constitution is often cited as a reason not to pass the ERA because it provides equality, thus making the ERA no longer necessary (and one that Virginian legislators often point to). Unfortunately, Section 2 of the 14th Amendment goes to deliberate lengths to exclude women,  with the wording male citizen and male inhabitant 3. Exclusion of women from the 14th was carefully designed. The 19th Amendment would not have been necessary to give females the right to vote, had the 14th Amendment been written more inclusively.

The simplest route to reducing the number of public school children living in poverty — which interferes with learning — is to pay their mothers equally.

The Congress has passed four laws since the 1963 Equal Pay Act, in attempts to assure women pay equity in the workplace. All of these leave the burden on women to discover inequality and sue for compensation, rather than on the employer to be on the bright side of the law. The Equal Rights Amendment would give force to these laws. It would reduce the number of civil cases of women seeking compensation for lost wages. The ERA would assure women and families of an average increase of 23% more income–more in communities of color, where women earn as little as 64 cents to a white man’s dollar. Most of these women are mothers, and that missing  pay a real hardship for their children, leading to long-term educational deficits. This missing annual income also negatively affects women’s 401(k) contributions, and the Social Security they are saving for themselves. The ERA would increase middle class economic power in the present, put American school children in a better position to learn,  and reduce the number of economically stressed or poor senior citizens (most of whom are women) in the future.

There is no downside to this amendment. I invite you to read further on its benefits here: Virginia ERA Network.

With my thanks for your service to Commonwealth,

Your Name
Your Address

 *  *  *  *

Now, we also need to continue to contact the P&E Committee, which may get the bill at 4 pm Tuesday afternoon.
To email the (corrected) Senate Privileges and Elections Committee and ask them to move forward on ratification of the ERA, SJ216, here’s the email addresses and a sample text:Copy this list into your To line:

“Jill Holtzman Vogel” <district27@senate.virginia.gov >, “Bill Carrico” <district40@senate.virginia.gov>, “Creigh Deeds” <district25@senate.virginia.gov>, “Janet Howell” <district32@senate.virginia.gov>, “Steve Martin” <district11@senate.virginia.gov>, “Mark Obenshain” <district26@senate.virginia.gov>, “Bryce Reeves” <district17@senate.virginia.gov>, “John Edwards” <district21@senate.virginia.gov>, “A. Donald McEachin”  <district09@senate.virginia.gov>, “Ralph K. Smith” <district19@senate.virginia.gov>, “Thomas Garrett” <district22@senate.virginia.gov>, “Kenneth Alexander” <district05@senate.virginia.gov>, “John Miller” <district01@senate.virginia.gov>,”John Cosgrove” <district14@senate.virginia.gov>, “Rosalyn Dance” <district16@senate.virginia.gov>
The Senate Privileges and Elections committee 
meets when the senate is in session, 
Tuesday, 4:00 P.M. – Senate Room A 
in the General Assembly Building at 9th and Broad.
Sample Text:
Dear Chairperson Vogel and Honorable Members of the Committee,
I write to urge you to support ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment in 2015 (SJ216). The Equal Rights Amendment is a civil rights and economic stability issue for all women and communities in Virginia — and the nation.Women are not yet fully recognized citizens in the Constitution. That’s why we have this patch work of laws “protecting” us. We are not otherwise fully enfranchised citizens assure of our civil rights.

The 14th Amendment to the Constitution is often cited as a reason not to pass the ERA because it provides equality, thus making the ERA no longer necessary (and one that Virginian legislators often point to). Unfortunately, Section 2 of the 14th Amendment goes to deliberate lengths to exclude women,  with the wording male citizen and male inhabitant 3. Exclusion of women from the 14th was carefully designed. The 19th Amendment would not have been necessary to give females the right to vote, had the 14th Amendment been written more inclusively.

The simplest route to reducing the number of public school children living in poverty — which interferes with learning — is to pay their mothers equally.

The Congress has passed four laws since the 1963 Equal Pay Act, in attempts to assure women pay equity in the workplace. All of these leave the burden on women to discover inequality and sue for compensation, rather than on the employer to be on the bright side of the law. The Equal Rights Amendment would give force to these laws. It would reduce the number of civil cases of women seeking compensation for lost wages. The ERA would assure women and families of an average increase of 23% more income–more in communities of color, where women earn as little as 64 cents to a white man’s dollar. Most of these women are mothers, and that missing  pay a real hardship for their children, leading to long-term educational deficits. This missing annual income also negatively affects women’s 401(k) contributions, and the Social Security they are saving for themselves. The ERA would increase middle class economic power in the present, put American school children in a better position to learn,  and reduce the number of economically stressed or poor senior citizens (most of whom are women) in the future.

There is no downside to this amendment. I invite you to read further on its benefits here: Virginia ERA Network.

I ask that you encourage and support your colleagues in the Senate, and especially the House of the Delegates, to bring the ERA to the floor for a public and affirmative vote for ratification. No matter of American’s civil rights should dealt with in secret. Stand proudly by your positions on women’s equality.

Work progresses, the meanwhile,  to lift the arbitrary deadline in the US Congress. The states wait for Congress. Congress waits for the states. Virginia could be the state to bring all American women out of this catch-22. At long last, it could be Virginia that makes all the difference for women.Let Virginia be a proud leader for civil rights and economic stability in the 21st Century.

Women belong in the Constitution. It’s time.
With my thanks for your service,
Your Name
Your Address
(*) (*) (*)
To comment publicly on the Senate bill: click here.

To tweet the Senate:@VASenate
To tweet the Senate GOP:@VASenateGOP
To tweet the Senate Dems: @VASenateDems

To Tweet the P&E Committee (a complicated group, indeed):

@JillVogel    @KennyAlexander    @BillCarrico  @CreighDeeds   @MarkObenshain

@Donald_McEachin    @ReevesVA    @JohnMillerforVA    @JohnCosgroveVA

Could not locate Twitters for Janet Howell, Steve Martin, John Edwards, Ralph Smith, Tom Garrett.

Sample Tweets:

SJ216 to the floor in 2015. No hidden votes on #civilrights issues. Stand by your vote. #‎DemandERA‬ ‪#‎ERAyesVA‬#EqualRightsAmendment is income equality, civil rights, family stability. Tell your peers to join you to#‎DemandERA‬ ‪#‎ERAyesVA‬

Support & vote for SJ216, encourage colleagues. #CivilRights for women cannot wait another year! #‎DemandERA‬ ‪#‎ERAyesVA‬

#14thAmendment does not cover ♀  #EqualRightsAmendment extends 14th to ♀ . Plz inform colleagues. #‎DemandERA‬ ‪#‎ERAyesVA‬

Repeat as often as possible. 
With my thanks for your patience, and my great hope for success on Tuesday!
Simone Roberts — Web Editor / Historian / ERA Coordinator — VA NOW

Session opens this week: Turn The VOLUME UP!!!

“It isn’t over. There is much more to do.”
Alice Paul’s last words 

This past Sunday was Alice Paul’s 130th Birthday.  Rights are never given, they are claimed and

When Alice Paul first introduced the ERA, this was the most popular phone in the US.

taken. Our foremothers worked for over 70 years for suffrage, and we are part of this great tradition of courage and grit. It’s in their spirit and honor that I ask you to turn that volume all the way up!

 
First, I ask you again to reach out to the Privileges and Elections Committee in Virginia to insist that they bring the ERA through to the floor of the House of Delegates for a public and proud vote! (Click here for that guide.) It’s vital that we keep the heat on these legislators in particular.

Let’s get the ERA to the Floor!!

But, we still need that roaring crowd cheering for the ERA to the ears of all our state senators and delegates. On the Contact Congress & General Assembly page of our blog, I have updated the contact information for the 2015 session members at both the state and federal level.

Second, please contact the members of Congress and ask them to support removing the ratification deadline on the Equal Rights Amendment by supporting H.J. Res. 43 (House) and S.J. Res.15 (Senate). Suggest they encourage deadline removal to colleagues in their caucus, across the aisle, and in the other house. (See Media & Messaging for more detail.)

Third, let’s continue to email / Facebook / tweet / call our state level representatives.They equate volume and consistency of contact with voter interest and urgency. So, let’s create that sense of urgency for them.
Here’s a list of some representatives we have not yet contacted. The whole kit is over on the blog. Click on their names, and you can access their websites, which gets you to all their social media. If you have the time, I invite you to go beyond this list, and start repeating contacts. Feel free to rinse and repeat as often as you like. As I say — roar of the crowd!

What to Say:
(adapt to representative’s house, embellish at will)
Dear Honorable (Senator / Delegate) ___________,
I urge you to support ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment in this session of the General Assembly. Your colleague, (Sen. Ebbin / Del. Surovell), is sponosoring (SJ 216 / HJ 495), and I encourage you to support and vote for this bill. Both you and the Commonwealth of Virginia deserve to stand proudly in affirmation of the constitutional equality of women.
With my thanks for your service,
Your Name
Your Address

 Delegates to email: 

Rust, Thomas Davis                DelTRust@house.virginia.gov
Scott, Edward T.                    DelEScott@house.virginia.gov
Sickles, Mark D.                     DelMSickles@house.virginia.gov
Simon, Marcus B.                   DelMSimon@house.virginia.gov
Spruill, Lionell, Sr.                  DelLSpruill@house.virginia.gov
Stolle, Christopher P.              DelCStolle@house.virginia.gov
Sullivan, Richard C. (Rip), Jr   DelRSullivan@house.virginia.gov
Surovell, Scott A.                   DelSSurovell@house.virginia.gov
Taylor, Scott W.                     DelSTaylor@house.virginia.gov
Torian, Luke E.                     DelLTorian@house.virginia.gov
Toscano, David J.                  DelDToscano@house.virginia.gov
Tyler, Roslyn C.                    DelRTyler@house.virginia.gov
Villanueva, Ronald A.            DelRVillanueva@house.virginia.gov
Ward, Jeion A.                     DelJWard@house.virginia.gov
Ware, R. Lee, Jr.                  DelLWare@house.virginia.gov
Watts, Vivian E.                   DelVWatts@house.virginia.gov
Webert, Michael J.                DelMWebert@house.virginia.gov
Wilt, Tony O.                        DelTWilt@house.virginia.gov
Wright, Thomas C., Jr.          DelTWright@house.virginia.gov
Yancey, David E.                  DelDYancey@house.virginia.gov
Yost, Joseph R.                    DelJYost@house.virginia.gov 

Senators to email:
Saslaw, Richard L. district35@senate.virginia.gov D 35
Smith, Ralph K. district19@senate.virginia.gov R 19
Stanley, William M., Jr. district20@senate.virginia.gov R 20
Stosch, Walter A. district12@senate.virginia.gov R 12
Stuart, Richard H. district28@senate.virginia.gov R 28
Vogel, Jill Holtzman district27@senate.virginia.gov R 27
Wagner, Frank W. district07@senate.virginia.gov R 7
Watkins, John C. district10@senate.virginia.gov R 10
Wexton, Jennifer T. district33@senate.virginia.gov D 33
I cannot thank you enough for your work. I know how tight time is for all of us. You have my greatest admiration.

We’re the background noise, but we need to be consistent. Members of the Virginia Women’s Equality Coalition will be in Richmond consistently over the session. Advocates from VA NOW and Women Matter will be especially focused on the ERA, and will be making personal contact with legislators and their staff daily. Our efforts will go a long way to supporting their presence.
Again, my thanks to Richmond Sunlight for your amazing work! I could not do this without you!

For Women!
Simone Roberts
Web Editor/Historian/ERA Coordinator   
Virginia NOW
Virginia ERA Network

Keep the pressure on Illinois legislators, it’s working! #RatifyERA

If you are calling Illinois about the #ERA today, please call ONLY the legislators on the list attached. UPDATED call list to #RatifyERA in Illinois, plus scripts and talking points at the link!

Calls are flooding in, on both sides, to all offices, and staffers are unable to do anything else. Hurray!  But let’s focus just these 10 or so.

Pro-Life and Schalfley lobbyists are also in the house. This is not over and we’re not finished!


Courtesy of www.peopledemandingaction.org

Would you like to make a few calls for the ERA?

All legislators on this list are considering voting YES on the ERA in Illinois!

Call numbers, email addresses, a script, and talking points below…

Once a legislator is moved to YES, please confirm carefully.
Then ask that legislator to contact Rep. Lou Lang in order to confirm their support for the bill SJRCA0075
Please also contact Jeanne Dauray either via mobile phone at (814) 598-8532 or via email at Jeanne@pdamerica.org to report the change.

State Rep’s First Name State Rep’s Last Name Party District Springfield Office # District Office # Email
Daniel Beiser D 111 (217) 782-5996 (618) 465-5900 dvbeiser@sbcglobal.net
Brandon Phelps D 118 (217) 782-5131 (618) 253-4189 bphelps118@gmail.com
Jerry Costello D 116 (217) 782-1018 (618) 282-7284 staterepcostello@gmail.com
Sue Scherer D 96 (217) 524-0353 (217) 877-9636 StateRepSue@gmail.com
Dennis Reboletti R 45 (217) 782-4014 (630) 628-0045 RepReboletti@gmail.com
Ed Sullivan, Jr. R 51 (217) 782-3696 (847) 566-5115 ILhouse51@sbcglobal.net
Sandra M. Pihos R 48 (217) 782-8037 (630) 858-8855 community@sandrapihos.com
Katherine Cloonen D 79 (217) 782-5981 (815) 939-1983 staterepcloonen79@att.net
John Cabello R 68 (217) 782-0455 (815) 282-0083 johncabello@aol.com
John E. Bradley D 117 (217) 782-1051 (618) 997-9697 repjohnbradley@mychoice.net
Michael Tryon R 66 (217) 782-0432 (815) 459-6453 Mike@miketryon.com
Robert Pritchard R 70 (217) 782-0425 (815) 748-3494 bob@pritchardstaterep.com

Call Script for Tuesday, December 1st

Hi, my name is __________ and I am a voter. I know that the Equal Rights Amendment, bill SJRCA 0075, is coming up for a vote Wednesday and I want Rep. _________ to vote YES on the ERA.

This is an issue for me because my (daughter, grand-daughter, sister, mother, etc.)…
…lives in (insert state here) where there is no equality for women.
OR
…could live or work in a state in the future where there is no equality for women.

Without a United States Constitutional amendment, equality is not guaranteed. For instance, in April of 2013 Wisconsin removed their equal pay clause. Therefore, this vote in Illinois has the potential to extend the rights that women in Illinois enjoy, to all 50 states. Thus, I would expect that Rep. _______ will be voting YES on the ERA during the session.

Additionally, I know that many people are concerned about how pro-life issues will be impacted by this amendment. The truth is, it will actually help reduce abortions. Countries that have passed an ERA have seen documented increases in their GDP. This means that the pay for women increased, and economic security for women and their families increased too. When that happens, we know the number of abortions go down, since women often choose abortion due to poor economic circumstances. The increased economic security that ERA would bring also means that less people would need government assistance programs. Thus, the ERA is a win-win situation for everyone.

Would you please pass this information along to Rep. _________ and confirm their position on this bill? They may also contact Rep. Lou Lang to confirm their support for the ERA.

_____________________________________________

Important Call Tips and Information…

  • If you live in the legislator’s district, please identify yourself as such. It is VERY important. If you are a resident of Illinois, please also identify yourself as such.
    .
  • No matter who you call on the list, please keep your conversations positive, hopeful, respectful, and filled with expectation that these legislators will do the right thing. All the legislators on this list have expressed support for the ERA at one point or another, and many are actively searching for ways to continue expressing that support. Many live in very conservative districts, rural districts, and pro-life districts which include constituencies that may have difficulty and reservations about supporting the ERA, as well as groups within that are actively opposing the ERA. Illinois is a battleground state when it comes to the ERA and you are calling into the heart of those areas. Be cautious and extraordinarily diplomatic. We are confident you can do this!
    .
  • Pro-Life Districts: If you are calling a pro-life district, please be respectful and supportive of the legislator and sensitive to their position. Also, keep in mind that these legislators were asked by Right to Life, who provided their November election endorsements, to vote against the ERA. That being said, our campaign is currently seeking information from appropriate organizations to demonstrate how they can still be pro-life and pro-ERA based on pro-life principles, beliefs, and concerns. Some information you may want to use (see below) is that the ERA helps lift women out of poverty and thus, reduces the number of abortions.
    .
  • Given that Illinois has an ERA in their state constitution that has existed since 1970, you may want to mention that to these legislators, and state that as a result, nothing will change for their constituents in the state of Illinois, but it could improve the economic situation for women outside of Illinois, which includes a lot of grandmothers, mothers, sisters, aunts, daughters, and grand-daughters of Illinois residents.

_____________________________________________

Answering questions…

Is this necessary?  Yes, because right now women have no constitutional guarantee of equality. Current laws can be changed, amended, and challenged. This is of concern being as US Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia has already stated he believes women DO NOT have protection from sex discrimination currently.

Are wages really unequal?  Yes, even after all possible impact factors such as education, job performance, time off to care for children, and other items are taken out of the equation, women in the United States still take home less pay. It breaks down like this: For every $1.00 a man makes, an Asian American woman makes .87 cents, a White woman makes .78 cents, an African American woman makes .64 cents, a Native American woman makes .60 cents, and Latinas only get .53 cents for that same dollar. That means Latina women are making about half the pay for the same work!

Couldn’t this serve to actually hurt women?  No. In fact, the ERA is already enshrined in the Illinois State Constitution and has been since 1970. Interestingly enough, none of the horrific consequences have come to pass as predicted by those who oppose the ERA, and the women of Illinois actually enjoy better economic outcomes than many of their counterparts in states that do not have an ERA.

If Illinois already has an ERA, why should I support this?  Because many states do not have an ERA and thus, not all women are protected. Additionally, federal laws and the US Constitution generally override state laws and constitutions in many instances. This creates a situation where equality is not a sure and guaranteed thing for all women in the United States.

Hasn’t the ratification deadline passed?  Yes, it has, however, deadlines can be extended or erased, and there is precedent for resurrecting old amendments, such as the 27th amendment, which was ratified after 203 years. Additionally, there is legislation currently moving through the US House and Senate to remove the deadline for the ERA.

Why are we doing this now?  We have been actually trying to do this for sometime, in fact the Illinois State House passed this back in 2003, but did not get Senate support. Now we have Senate support and do not want to pass up on this opportunity. Also, it is not just happening in Illinois. This legislation is in fact moving through multiple state houses currently, but Illinois is most likely to be the first to pass the amendment.

What does the amendment say exactly?
Section 1. Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.
Section 2. The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.
Section 3. This amendment shall take effect two years after the date of ratification.

But I am Pro-Life?  Pro-life does not mean anti-woman. You can be pro-life and pro-ERA. In fact, a long line of Catholic bishops have signed on in support of the ERA, and we are currently contacting them so that they make their voices heard once again on this important issue. Additionally, the biggest reason women choose abortions in this country is due to poor economic circumstances. Thus, we already know that when women are provided with economic security, abortion rates go down, therefore the ERA can help strengthen the economic circumstances of women nationally and reduce the number of abortions. Not only that, but there is no abortion language in the federal ERA we are supporting. In some states, they have included specific language, which has affected laws in relation to abortion, but the federal ERA has no such language.


 

Merry Christmas to All and to All Equal Rights!
Paradise Kendra
Virginia NOW

Communications VP, Webmistress

IL to VOTE on ERA Thursday, ACT NOW!

From the Coalition on the ground in IL today, see below. Easy things to do to support their lobbying. They will meet with legislators today. A vote on the ERA is scheduled for tomorrow, but the speaker of the IL House (and the most powerful politician in IL) isn’t coming to work to convene the House for business. His name is Michael Madigan, he’s chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois, and you (or the press) can contact his office here: (773) 581-8000. He’s not on social media, but this satirical Twitter account is:  @KingofIL.

Newspapers to contact: Chicago Tribune (http://www.chicagotribune.com/) ,  St. Louis Post Dispatch (http://www.stltoday.com) , and the Belleville  News Democrat (http://www.bnd.com), St. Louis Beacon (from public radio station: http://www.stlpublicradio.org/info/onair.php)

(*) (*) (*) (*) (*)

ERA Action in collaboration with other activist groups including PDA ERA 3 State Strategy Team, Illinois NOW, AAUW, Katrina’s Dream will be on the ground in Springfield, IL, Wednesday, November 19 to ensure the “Land of Lincoln” becomes the first state to #RatifyERA in the 21st Century.

WE NEED YOUR HELP NOW! The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) will be moved to a final vote in the Illinois House of Representatives in the first few days of the Veto Session. Likely dates for the vote are Thursday, November 20th or Tuesday, December 2nd. However, the vote depends on two things: 1) Having the last handful of YES commitments for votes from Illinois State Representatives and 2) Those Representatives showing up for the vote.

What can you do? A lot actually.

FIRST CALL – You can use this link http://bit.ly/1r6LqXr for a target list of Illinois State Representatives to call, along with a call script that will work whether you live in district, in Illinois, or anywhere in the US.

SECOND SIGN PETITION – You can sign the following petition by clicking this link http://bit.ly/1HgmMt8 urging House members to vote YES for ratification of the ERA in Illinois. The petition will be presented to Representative Lou Lang to show the solidarity we have with him, the women of Illinois, and all supporters of the ERA in this fight. And please share the petition on Facebook and Twitter.

THIRD – Use this link http://bit.ly/1vmFwTZ to get access to additional information and talking points on the ERA, Twitter hashtags, Twitter address for legislators in Illinois, and other resources. SPECIAL THANKS to Simone Roberts of Virginia NOW who created this list and graciously made it available for sharing.

# # #
FOR WOMEN,
Simone Roberts
Historian and ERA Coordinator
Virginia NOW   
VirginiaERANetwork (blog for ERA project)

Rumors of our Equality Are Greatly Exaggerated!

NOW (and hosts of women’s rights organizations) will be well represented at the 50th Anniversary March, and NOW President Terry O’Neill will be speaking about the Equal Rights Amendment. This is it here:

 

The Equal Rights Amendment is simple, clear, and inalienable!!

“Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex. The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article. This amendment shall take effect two years after the date of ratification.”

It’s been 90 years since Alice Paul wrote this simple text in 1923. It is just time, people. But time will drag on if we don’t act!

92% of Americans think that women have equality under the law. They are mistaken. The only right actually secured for women in the Constitution is the right to vote.

Everything else: right to own property, right to custody of our children, right to healthcare, right to work, right to have our own bank account and lines of credit, right to equal pay, right to fight in the military, right to autonomy over our own bodies in any way, to education, to purchase sex toys, to fill-in-the-blank are made right now by a patch work of court decisions, and statues in laws that are not permanent amendments to the Constitution. These ‘privileges’ are alienable, they can be taken away. The ERA would convert them legally, federally, into inalienable rights.

At present these “privileges” and this”equality” are just gifts from the courts and legislatures, and those gifts can be taken away or curbed (as in over-regulation of health clinics that makes access to abortion services very, very difficult or impossible; as in voting rights restrictions; as in not having a law that just says you get paid equally to a man in your position or the federal government will come after your employer). Fighting, over and over, to secure the same rights, often state by state, endlessly is not liberty. Battle is not liberty. Battle does not allow the greatest expression and implementation of the people’s intellect and skill for their own and the nation’s benefit. Battle just drains energy. As we have seen just this year in Iowa, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina, and Texas — we can fight like hell, and we can lose our battle for dignity, even for our lives.

The ERA would put an end to that battle. This is battle is won and decided in most of the developed world, and decided for women. Moreover, the ERA would only strengthen the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by extending its full protections to women of color, as women. It would benefit the LGBTQIA communities by assuring that these women are also fully recognized as persons with inalienable rights. The same forces that resist the ERA refuse to ratify CEDAW, and that leaves American women and international women in America vulnerable.

Virginia NOW has recently been working on getting the ERA through the Virginia Legislature, but the state House will not schedule a vote even though the state Senate has voted to ratify two times!! Lots of information and tips on action can be found at Virginia ERA and Equal Rights Amendment.

We need you to lend your words and work to this effort. You can sign this petition to Congress to lift the deadline on ratification: (click here). You can read the White House’s response to the petition on their website: (click here). It’s positive, it’s supportive, it’s lots of things but it is not pro-active. We feel the White House needs a little encouragement. So do this: 

  • Write to the White House, and tell them that you’re glad to have Fair Pay and Title IX and so forth, but these laws are not civil rights amendments and they can be changed, or overturned at any time. Only a ratified constitutional amendment would truly secure these rights for all women.
  • Write to your federal representatives and to your state representatives (see bottom of page), and tell them that you’ll support them if they support you–ratification and/or removal of the deadline for ratification is the form this support should take.
  •  Visit Equal Rights Amendment dot Org for complete details and suggestions for getting your boots on the ground! Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah, and Virginia, I am talking to you!!!. If you live in these 15 states, go kick some ratification butt!!! We only need 3 out of 15.

Below, NOW’s resolution in favor of the ERA Amendment & CEDAW. (We are one of only a few nations not to sign on. That distinguished cadre includes: United States, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Iran, and two small Pacific Island nations [Palau and Tonga]). For the full complement of NOW Resolutions (click here). 

ERA RESOLUTION 2013

2013

WHEREAS, constitutional equality for women is a core issue for the National Organization for Women (NOW) and discrimination based on sex is a violation of human rights; and

WHEREAS, NOW is supporting both the 3-state strategy and a Congressional strategy to begin anew on an Equal Rights Amendment (ERA); and

WHEREAS, Congressional leaders for women’s equality believe it is necessary to support both strategies; and

WHEREAS, both methods provide unique advantages; and

WHEREAS, NOW continues to support ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW, The Women’s Treaty) by the U.S. Senate;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NOW reaffirms that we continue to work on several strategies that educate the public about the need to win constitutional equality for women; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that NOW create an “ERA Educate to Advocate Campaign” and actively pursue opportunities to obtain media attention to bring the movement to ratify the ERA and CEDAW (The Women’s Treaty) into the national conversation; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that we recommend to the NOW/PAC and the state and local PACs that they score candidates on their support for an ERA on the 3-state strategy, a Congressional strategy to begin anew on an Equal Rights Amendment, and CEDAW (The Women’s Treaty), in considering whether or not to endorse a political candidate.

So, tell me. Do you want to have a dream, or do you want to live that dream?

 


Constant Contact
Sign-up Here
Click the ERA Only button to join the list dedicated
to ratification.
(…if you want to keep your e-mail level at a minimum but still assist in ratification!)

Virginia ERA Network
Follow this blog, or
sign-up for its email updates.
(Because, you get enough CC emails.)

(*) (*) (*) (*) (*)
Diana Egozcue
, President

Paradise Kendra, Communications VP/Webmistress
Simone Roberts, Historian/ERA Coordinator