In 1971, Rep. Bella Abzug introduced, and Congress adopted, a resolution declaring August 26 as National Women's Equality Day. The day honors the 1920 ratification of the 19th amendment, which secured women's right to vote in the United States. Believe it or not, people ranted and raved, moaned and wailed, and predicted all sorts of horrendous consequences if women (GAAASSPPP !!!) VOTED !. None of those terrible things happened, and change came to America. But it came slowly, and painfully, in fits and starts. And we still have a long way to go.

In 1970, the National Organization for Women sponsored protest demonstrations throughout the U.S. to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 19th amendment. Called the Women's Strike for Equality, tens of thousands of women advocated for social, political, and economic justice. Americans gradually and grudgingly grew to accept women in new professional roles as doctors, lawyers, politicians, professors, police officers, fire fighters, construction workers, and other occupations. But every single issue was a fight, or a lawsuit, or a civilly disobedient moment.

And we're still fighting. On January 29, 2009, President Barack Obama signed the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act as his first piece of legislation. Just this week, former Republican Senator Alan Simpson (Wyoming) apologized for his rude, obnoxious, unnecessary, and sexist remarks about Social Security recipients.

Congress first proposed the Equal Rights Amendment in 1923, and again in 1972. Thirty-five of the necessary 38 states ratified the later version, but it expired because Congress had imposed a seven-year time limit for ratification. The Alice Paul Institute http://www.equalrightsamendment.org/ asserts that the time limit was illegal and that we only need three more states to ratify the ERA. It's an interesting legal argument, but it doesn't seem to be making any progress.

Meanwhile, Reps. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Judy Biggert (R-IL) reintroduced the Equal Rights Amendment to Congress last year. It is House Joint Resolution (H.J. Res.) 61 and has been sitting in the House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties with no further action. Given the legislative emergencies brought to us by the wars, economy, and Republican obstructionist agenda, it probably won't move and will expire at the end of this year.

No, recent progress in women's legal rights is not enough. Congress can repeal or change those laws at any time. Only men's rights are guaranteed by the constitution. And given the times, I want it in writing.

For those who may have forgotten, or never knew, this is what it says:
 

The Equal Rights Amendment
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.

Yep. That's all there is. And opponents mounted massive, expensive community organizing campaigns to keep this from happening. And they will do it again. Yes, they want to prevent you, or your mothers, sisters, wives, and daughters from an equal opportunity to contribute to our culture, our economy, and our lives.

So, teach your children well.
 

Join the Women's and Girls Foundation of Southwest Pennsylvania

in celebrating Women's Equality Day today

Mellon Square Park, Downtown Pittsburgh

11:30 AM to 1:30 PM.

________________________________________

For more information:
Read a bit of the history of the struggle for women's equality

National Organization for Women - There are five chapters in the Pittsburgh area.

Ms. Foundation for Women

The first women's rights convention lives on in spirit

________________________________________

Be sure to read every installment of the Pittsburgh Public Policy Examiner.
Click "subscribe" above.