Why the Need for an ERA?
Equality in pay, job opportunities, political structure, education, health care including reproductive health care, and education—in particular for women of color, women with disabilities and the LGBTQIA community—will remain an elusive dream without a guarantee in the U.S. Constitution. The progress we have made—and must continue to make—towards women’s equality can be lost at any time because those advances depend on legislation that can be (and has been) weakened or repealed by Congress. Given the current political climate, this is more of a concern than ever.
The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) ensures that gender equity is codified in the United States Constitution. Though passed by Congress in 1972, and ratified by 35 of the 38 States necessary for constitutional passage, the deadline for ratification passed in 1982. Nevada ratified and now only two more states are needed!
Please contact your State Senator and ask them to vote YES on SCR 45 when it comes for a floor vote in the next few days! If you can come to the Capitol and lobby in person, please let us know lalegeupdates.brnow@gmail.com!
Find out who your State Senator is and how to contact them here: https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/FindMyLegislators.aspx
ERA PHONE/EMAIL SCRIPT
(adapt as needed or add a personal story how inequality has affected your life)
Hello, my name is [your name] and my zip code is [your zip code].
As a constituent, I am calling to express my concern with the current state of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). Although passed by Congress in 1972, the Equal Rights Amendment has not been ratified and added to the United States Constitution. Currently, we need two additional states to reach the three-fourths threshold. Our state is one of those that has yet to ratify the ERA. Without it, there is no guarantee of constitutional gender equality. Therefore, I am reaching out to ask that [name of your State Senator] revisit the ERA as a topic of dire importance.
On Wednesday, the Senate and Governmental Affairs committee passed SCR 45 out favorably. With the example set by the ratification of the ERA in Nevada, now is the time to secure this legislation in our state. Please vote YES when this vote comes up on the Senate floor.
Women will not be equal in this country until our rights are solidified with the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment. Our state needs to play its important role in the process. I represent many women in our state that want the ERA to pass. Generations of women have fought for the ERA, it’s time to stand with them.
If you are concerned about women’s equality, will you commit to supporting and co-sponsoring the ERA in our State’s legislature?
Thank you for your time, I’m counting on you to ratify the ERA so all our citizens are constitutionally protected!
Your name
Address
Phone
In addition, please say THANK YOU to our sponsor and the committee members below who voted FOR AND joined as co-authors on SCR 45! |
