How The E.r.a. Was Defeated (Press, 26 July 1982)

In Washington on 26 July 1982, three women in wheelchairs were welcomed at the national airport after a 37-day fast supporting the Equal Rights Amendment (E.R.A.), aimed at guaranteeing women’s equality under the law. The E.R.A. was proposed nearly 60 years before and passed by Congress in 1972, declaring that “equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.” Despite initial momentum, with 22 states endorsing it within months, support stalled, and the process faced setbacks as some states attempted to withdraw their backing. Although polls indicated a two-to-one support among Americans, the amendment required ratification from 38 states and only reached 35 by 1977. The Illinois state house saw the defeat of the E.R.A., which effectively marked the end of this phase of the women's rights struggle. The National Organisation for Women (N.O.W.) admitted defeat but vowed to re-table the amendment in Congress and focus on electing more sympathetic women in state legislatures. Hunger strikers articulated a stark reality about representation, asserting that men would never represent women fairly. Cathy Wilson from the National Women’s Political Caucus emphasised that changing political faces was necessary, as public support appeared insufficient against entrenched political opposition. Women, who constitute half the electorate, present a significant voting bloc, and emerging patterns showed a gender gap in voting behaviour. Opposition to the E.R.A. was led by figures like Phyllis Schlafly, who argued that the amendment threatened traditional family roles and values. Many women opposed the amendment out of fear it would diminish their domestic roles and security. This apprehension was leveraged by opponents who painted the E.R.A. in a negative light, associating it with unisex bathrooms and compulsory military service for women. While women's activists lamented the loss, they remained hopeful about future successes, such as the appointment of Sandra Day O’Connor as the first female Supreme Court Justice by President Reagan. Even in absence of the E.R.A., women in America, particularly urban women, enjoyed more rights and freedoms than many around the world. The struggle for equality faced not only political challenges but also shifting societal attitudes, as many traditional values and conceptions of gender roles were questioned during this tumultuous period. The ongoing battle for women's rights highlighted the complexities of addressing both the legal framework and deeply ingrained societal beliefs about gender equality.

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