Constitutional Equality
Equality must be explicit and durable.
The Equal Rights Amendment would place equality regardless of sex directly in the United States Constitution. Explore the history, legal questions, SBWPC's advocacy, current federal action, educational resources and the community work continuing in Santa Barbara. The article library and related-image gallery update from SBWPC Women's Voices.
Where the ERA stands now
A clear distinction between SBWPC's advocacy position, the current federal record and the unresolved legal dispute.
The constitutional promise of equality remains unfinished.
SBWPC supports recognition and enforcement of the Equal Rights Amendment and believes equality regardless of sex should not depend on shifting legislation, executive policy or judicial interpretation.
Thirty-eight states have voted to ratify the ERA. The National Archives'
public position is that the amendment cannot currently be certified because
of the congressional deadline and related legal decisions. ERA advocates
dispute that conclusion and continue to pursue congressional, legal and
public-action pathways.
A century of unfinished work
The major milestones explain both the ERA's broad support and the legal questions still shaping its status.
First introduced
Alice Paul authored an early version of the ERA, seeking equal legal rights regardless of sex.
Congress sends ERA to states
Congress approved the amendment with a ratification deadline and transmitted it to state legislatures.
Extended deadline expires
Thirty-five states had ratified by the end of the congressional extension.
Nevada ratifies
Nevada renewed national momentum by becoming the thirty-sixth state to vote for ratification.
Illinois ratifies
Illinois became the thirty-seventh state to vote for the ERA.
Virginia becomes thirty-eighth
Virginia supplied the numerical three-fourths threshold, while deadline and rescission disputes remained.
Certification remains disputed
The National Archives stated that it could not certify the ERA under existing legal and procedural decisions.
Congressional action continues
H.J. Res. 80 and S.J. Res. 38 seek congressional recognition of the amendment's ratification.
What constitutional equality could strengthen
The ERA would establish an explicit constitutional basis for challenging sex discrimination across public policy and government action.
Pay and workplace equality
A stronger constitutional framework for challenging unequal treatment, pregnancy discrimination and sex-based barriers at work.
Education
A national constitutional baseline supporting equal access and fair treatment in public educational institutions and programs.
Freedom from violence
Stronger constitutional grounding for government responses to gender-based violence, exploitation and unequal enforcement.
Healthcare and autonomy
A clearer basis for challenging sex discrimination in public healthcare policy and government treatment.
Military and public service
Equal legal treatment in government institutions, public employment and military opportunity.
Durable constitutional protection
Explicit equality written into the Constitution rather than relying only on statutes or changing judicial standards.
Live ERA articles from Women's Voices
Read recent Equal Rights Amendment reporting, commentary and public education from SBWPC Women's Voices.
Turn support into public action
Choose one practical next step. The supporting information stays available without placing every action, script and committee detail on the page at once.
One clear next step
Start by contacting the federal officials who can act.
Find Representatives
Use SBWPC's position, verify the official record and ask for one concrete commitment on ERA recognition and enforcement.
01 Contact CongressUse a concise constituent message and request a specific ERA action.
Review SBWPC's advocacy and the National Archives or congressional record, then ask whether your representatives support H.J. Res. 80, S.J. Res. 38 or another concrete pathway to ERA recognition.
Sample constituent message
I am a constituent asking you to support explicit constitutional equality regardless of sex and to state what concrete action you will take to advance recognition and enforcement of the Equal Rights Amendment.
02 Share accurate ERA informationUse the official record and SBWPC explainers before asking others to act.
Correct the misconception that equality regardless of sex is already explicit in the Constitution. Share a direct source, explain the unresolved certification dispute and connect the ERA to durable constitutional protection.
03 Join sustained local ERA workConnect public education and federal advocacy with the SBWPC ERA Committee.
The ERA Committee coordinates strategy, public education, events, advocacy and coalition-building to advance explicit constitutional equality.
MeetingThird Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m.
LeadershipCo-Chairs: Moira Gil and ej Borah
ParticipationOpen to SBWPC members; contact the organization for current meeting details.
Optional visual library
ERA events and visual archive
Browse the curated event albums, educational graphics, captions and full-screen viewer.
Open Gallery
ERA events and visual archive
Browse the curated event albums, educational graphics, captions and full-screen viewer.