EQUALITY 4 WOMEN

This reference website  provides a basis for thinking about why Feminism and ERA are necessary.
 Feminism is the logical response to Sexism: social and legal systems that advantage men at women's expense.
The Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (ERA) would work to end men's use of such systems to keep women subordinated.

[NOTE: Files were updated November 17, 2013 so "refresh browser" (F5 key) if any files are reported  "missing"]

I. ERA Basics

ERA briefing outline for NOW interns, two pages, No. 762

“Three Categories of Discrimination Against Women and Girls,” working fact sheet, one page, No. 764

18^th Century Writing on Equal Protection for Women, by Abigail Adams, John Adams, and Marquis de Condorcet, two pages, No. 5

“21^st Century ERA Effort Begins,” article from National NOW Times, 1994, one page, No. 541

Progression of Constitutional Amendments toward Equality of all US Citizens, plus list of 14^th Amendment decisions protecting men and other classes, but not women, two pages, No. 10

Notes for High School Students Preparing for the 1996 National Forensic League Debate on Feminist Ideals, 10 pages, No. 565

II. ERA to end:  Attacks on women's reproductive organs by both conservatives and liberals

“Stop Abortion? Fix Men!” one page essay, No.622

“Abortion Law: ‘Unique Problem for Women’ or Sex Discrimination?” 1991 law journal article, 14 pages,  No. 417

“Abortion and Pornography: The Sexual Liberals' Gotcha Against Women’s Equality” 1990 symposium chapter, 9 pages, No. 292

“How the First Amendment Is Being Used To Protect Violence Against Women,”  1995 symposium chapter, 10 pages, No. 525

“Trafficking, Prostitution, and Inequality” by Catharine A. MacKinnon, 2011, 40 pages

III. ERA to expose: False claims that women would be hurt by equality

Single-Sex Schools: NOW letter to Wall Street Journal, plus Pro and Con, and the ERA and Unconstitutionality of Sex-Segregated Schools, 12 pages, Numbers 576, 763, 554

Women in Military Service and the Draft, one page, No. 761

End of insurance sex discrimination under ERA debated by Illinois Legislators, two pages, No. 15

“Automobile Insurance Pricing: Implications for Women,” 1996 Women’s Travel Conference, No. 570

Cents-per-mile automobile insurance information website

IV. To pass ERA

“How to Pass an ERA Worth Passing,” position paper, 6 pages,  No. 760

What an ERA would change; considered in 1983 and again in 2013, 2 pages, No. 882

“Unthinking ERA Thinking,” chapter in “Women’s Lives Under Men’s Laws” by Catharine A. MacKinnon, 2005

"Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex." Approved by Congress, March 22, 1972.

"Resolved, That the women of this country ought to be enlightened in regard to the laws under which they live, that they may no longer publish their degradation by declaring themselves satisfied with their present position, nor their ignorance, by asserting that they have all the rights they want." Adopted by delegates at the Seneca Falls Meeting July 19, 1848.

Equality 4 Women is a project of Twiss Butler, Washington, DC
Contact: info@equality4women.org