Equal Rights Amendment

NWPC Supports Adoption of The Equal Rights Amendment

Facts:

If the dream of women’s equality is ever to become a reality, it is critical that we organize support for an Equal Rights Amendment that will guarantee constitutional equality for all women.

How NWPC acts:

NWPC supports equal rights for all, regardless of gender and supports political action to bring laws into compliance with the spirit and intent of the Equal Rights Amendment.

NWPC members and the political candidates they support individually and collectively continue to work for elimination or amendment of those laws that have the effect of discriminating on the basis of sex. 

NWPC endorses and works for the election and appointment of women who are committed to promotion of laws that support the goals of the Equal Rights Amendment.

NWPC remains alert to local and national trends which tend to weaken the enforcement of any such existing laws, and maintains positive contact with the media, local and national elected officials, and like-minded organizations to ensure that existing laws remain in full force and effect. 

How you can act:

Be aware of the real reasons why an Equal Rights Amendment is not yet the law of the land. 

At the time of the last vote on the ERA, only a small percentage of state legislators were women; those women who were members of state legislatures overwhelmingly supported the ERA. You must support and vote for women to win local, national and appointed office. NWPC’s goal of gender parity in public office is achievable. 

Large corporations and insurers oppose the ERA because they fear being forced into pay and benefit parity for women. Inform yourself about the policies of businesses where your income is held or consumed — banks, utilities, mutual funds, and the like. Write to their corporate relations departments and ask their position. Insofar as possible, do business with women-friendly institutions; let others know why you are withholding your business from them. Encourage friends and colleagues to do the same. 

Maintain a high level of political awareness about whether your own elected representatives act in accordance with your beliefs. Write, call, email or fax to express your thoughtful opinion, and be willing to work for incremental progress.