FAWCO endorsement for the Equal Rights Amendment
Written in 1923 by the suffragist leader Alice Paul, the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) was introduced into every session of Congress between 1923 and 1972, when it was passed and sent to the states for ratification. The seven-year time limit in the ERA's proposing clause was extended by Congress to June 30, 1982, but at the deadline, the ERA had been ratified by 35 states, leaving it three states short of the 38 required for ratification. It has been reintroduced into every Congress since that time.
The Illinois House of Representatives ratified the ERA on May 21, 2003 and it now awaits ratification by the Illinois Senate. In keeping with the {ln:FAWCO Equal Rights Amendment Resolution 'unanimous resolution} passed at the 2004 Interim Conference, FAWCO members whose voting residence is in Illinois are strongly encouraged not only to write to their State Senators but also to pass on this information to family and friends (of both sexes) who reside or vote in the state of Illinois. If ratified by Illinois, the ERA will lack ratification by only two states.
Illinois voters can contact their State Senators by going to to:
and entering the zip code of their voting address to display all contact information for their state and federal legislators. Faxes and emails are still the best way to reach our legislators.
When writing in support of the ERA, they can simply say they are currently residing abroad and endorse the text of the resolution. They should add at least a sentence or two stating why they feel the ERA is important. All letters/emails should include their Illinois voting address.
THANK YOU for your support – we may yet see the ERA ratified in our lifetime!