We invite you to join us in asking Congress to remove the arbitrary deadline for ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA).

 We believe Congress should give the states another chance.  On March 8th, 2011, International Women's Day, Congresswoman Baldwin and Congressman Andrews introduced a resolution that removes the deadline for ratification and clarifies that upon ratification by three additional states, the Equal Rights Amendment will be added to the United States Constitution. 

When Congress passed the ERA in 1972, it provided that the measure had to be ratified by the necessary number of states (38) within 7 years.  This deadline was later extended to 10 years, and between 1972 and 1982, 35 states ratified the ERA.  Unfortunately this left the ERA just three states shy of full ratification when the deadline passed in 1982. 

Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia recently stated his belief that the Constitution does not prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex.  He explained, “If the current society wants to outlaw discrimination by sex, hey we have things called legislatures, and they enact things called laws.”  Since 1982, continuous legislative actions at the federal and state level prove that the ERA remains “contemporaneous” and alive before the not-yet-ratified states. 

As you likely know, the 27th Amendment to the Constitution, which concerns Congressional pay raises, was ratified after a 203 year ratification period.  In addition to a handful of court cases upholding this precedent, the 1978 ERA deadline extension demonstrates that Congress can amend previously established deadlines.

The ERA was intended to ensure equality for women and men in all areas of society: it is an immediate and decisive remedy to end sex discrimination in federal and state laws and provides a clear benchmark for judicial interpretation. The ultimate achievement of “Equality and Justice for All” in the United States is fundamental to our democratic principles, economic recovery, and continued leadership around the world. 

Please join us in supporting the removal of the ERA’s arbitrary deadline and set it on course for final completion.  The intent of the resolution is simple: a path to equality for all human beings. 

If you would like to learn more about this resolution and keep updated on it progress please visit our website http://www.katrinasdream.org or in the alternative please contact Helene Swanson of Katrina’s Dream at helene@katrinasdream.org

Sincerely,

 /s                                                           

Helene Swanson, Founder

Katrina’s Dream

www.KatrinasDream.org