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From The Vote To The Equal Rights Amendment: A Historical Journey

Rex Hayes

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Alice Paul and the Fight for Women's Rights: From the Vote to the Equal Rights Amendment

by Deborah Kops

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4496 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	182 pages

The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) to the United States Constitution is a proposed amendment that would guarantee equal legal rights for all American citizens regardless of sex. The ERA was first introduced in Congress in 1923, and it has been reintroduced every year since then. It has passed both the House of Representatives and the Senate multiple times, but it has never been ratified by the required number of states.

The ERA is a simple and straightforward amendment. It states: "Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex."

This amendment would have a profound impact on American society. It would ensure that women have the same legal rights as men in all areas of life, including employment, education, property ownership, and family law.

The ERA has been endorsed by a wide range of organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union, the National Organization for Women, and the AFL-CIO. It has also been supported by a majority of Americans for decades.

Despite the overwhelming support for the ERA, it has faced strong opposition from a small but vocal minority. This opposition has been based on a variety of arguments, including the claim that the ERA is unnecessary, that it would harm women, and that it would undermine the traditional family.

The opposition to the ERA has been successful in preventing its ratification for nearly a century. However, the fight for the ERA is not over. In recent years, there has been a renewed push to ratify the ERA, and it is now closer to ratification than it has ever been before.

The ERA is a crucial step towards achieving gender equality in the United States. It would guarantee that women have the same legal rights as men, and it would help to create a more just and equitable society for all.

The Origins Of The ERA

The ERA has its roots in the women's suffrage movement. In the 19th century, women fought for the right to vote, and they argued that they deserved the same legal rights as men.

In 1848, the first women's rights convention was held in Seneca Falls, New York. At this convention, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott introduced a resolution calling for the enfranchisement of women.

The women's suffrage movement gained momentum in the late 19th century, and in 1920, the 19th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified, granting women the right to vote.

After women won the right to vote, they continued to fight for other legal rights. In 1923, Alice Paul introduced the ERA to Congress. Paul was a leading suffragist, and she believed that the ERA was necessary to guarantee women full legal equality.

The ERA has been introduced in Congress every year since 1923, but it has never been ratified by the required number of states.

The Impact Of The ERA

The ERA would have a profound impact on American society. It would ensure that women have the same legal rights as men in all areas of life, including employment, education, property ownership, and family law.

The ERA would also help to create a more just and equitable society for all. It would eliminate the legal barriers that have prevented women from fully participating in society, and it would help to create a more level playing field for women and men.

The Challenges Facing The ERA

The ERA has faced strong opposition from a small but vocal minority. This opposition has been based on a variety of arguments, including the claim that the ERA is unnecessary, that it would harm women, and that it would undermine the traditional family.

The Future Of The ERA

The future of the ERA is uncertain. It will likely continue to face opposition from its opponents, but it is also supported by a majority of Americans. It is possible that the ERA will be ratified in the coming years, but it is also possible that it will not be ratified for many more years to come.

Regardless of when the ERA is ratified, it is clear that it is a crucial step towards achieving gender equality in the United States. The ERA would guarantee that women have the same legal rights as men, and it would help to create a more just and equitable society for all.

Alice Paul and the Fight for Women's Rights: From the Vote to the Equal Rights Amendment

by Deborah Kops

4.6 out of 5