The Santa Barbara Women’s Political Committee presents: A Roadmap for the Equal Rights Amendment

The Case for the ERA

The Unfinished Promise: Why the ERA Remains Crucial

The Equal Rights Amendment, first proposed in 1923 by Alice Paul, states: “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 passing Congress in 1972, it fell short of the required 38 state ratifications by the 1982 deadline — leaving sex-based equality implied rather than explicitly enshrined.

The Supreme Court’s 14th Amendment interpretations offer limited and reversible protections. The ERA would provide an unambiguous constitutional foundation for addressing gender-based violence, workplace inequality, educational disparities, and reproductive rights. 

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