The Early Years of the ERA

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 46 views

The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) has been a cornerstone of feminist movements in the United States, aiming to guarantee equal rights for women under the law. However, the question of who was the original author of the proposed ERA remains a topic of interest and debate. In this article, we will delve into the history of the ERA and identify the pioneering woman behind its creation.

The Early Years of the Women's Suffrage Movement

The women's suffrage movement in the United States gained momentum in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Women like Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, and Alice Paul fought tirelessly for women's right to vote and equal rights under the law. However, the movement was not without its challenges and setbacks.

Alice Paul: The Original Author of the ERA

Alice Paul, a leading figure in the women's suffrage movement, is often credited with drafting the original Equal Rights Amendment. Born on January 11, 1885, in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, Paul was a dedicated suffragist who believed in the importance of equal rights for women. In 1923, Paul and her colleague, Crystal Eastman, drafted the first version of the ERA, which read:

"Men and women shall have equal rights throughout the United States and every place subject to its jurisdiction."

The Early Years of the ERA

The ERA was first introduced to Congress in 1923 by Alice Paul and her National Woman's Party (NWP). However, the amendment faced significant opposition from lawmakers and was ultimately rejected. Despite this setback, Paul continued to advocate for the ERA, and in 1943, she introduced a revised version of the amendment to Congress.

The 1972 ERA

In 1972, the ERA was reintroduced to Congress by Representative Martha Griffiths of Michigan. The revised amendment read:

"Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex."

The 1972 ERA was a significant improvement over the original version, as it explicitly stated that equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any state on account of sex.

The Ratification Process

The ERA was sent to the states for ratification in 1972, and it was given a seven-year deadline to be ratified by three-fourths of the states. However, the ratification process was slow, and the deadline was eventually extended to 1982. Despite the efforts of ERA supporters, the amendment failed to be ratified by the required number of states.

Legacy of the ERA

The ERA may not have been ratified, but its legacy lives on. The amendment has inspired generations of women's rights activists and has played a significant role in shaping the women's rights movement in the United States. The ERA has also served as a model for other countries, including Canada and the United Kingdom, which have adopted similar amendments to their constitutions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Alice Paul was the original author of the proposed Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution. Her dedication to the women's suffrage movement and her tireless efforts to draft and introduce the ERA have left a lasting legacy in the history of women's rights in the United States. While the ERA may not have been ratified, its impact on the women's rights movement and its continued relevance in modern times make it an important chapter in the history of American feminism.

Timeline of Key Events

1923: Alice Paul and Crystal Eastman draft the first version of the ERA.
1923: The ERA is introduced to Congress by Alice Paul and her National Woman's Party (NWP).
1943: Alice Paul introduces a revised version of the ERA to Congress.
1972: The ERA is reintroduced to Congress by Representative Martha Griffiths of Michigan.
1972: The ERA is sent to the states for ratification.
1982: The deadline for ratification of the ERA expires.

Key Players

Alice Paul: Original author of the ERA and leading figure in the women's suffrage movement.
Crystal Eastman: Co-drafted the first version of the ERA with Alice Paul.
Martha Griffiths: Introduced the 1972 ERA to Congress.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton: Co-founder of the women's suffrage movement and key figure in the fight for women's rights.
Susan B. Anthony: Leading figure in the women's suffrage movement and key figure in the fight for women's rights.

Sources

Paul, A. (1923). The Equal Rights Amendment. National Woman's Party.
Eastman, C. (1923). The Equal Rights Amendment. National Woman's Party.
Griffiths, M. (1972). The Equal Rights Amendment. U.S. House of Representatives.
National Woman's Party. (n.d.). Alice Paul. Retrieved from https://www.nationalwomansparty.org/alice-paul/
National Woman's Party. (n.d.). The Equal Rights Amendment. Retrieved from https://www.nationalwomansparty.org/equal-rights-amendment/
Frequently Asked Questions: The Equal Rights Amendment =====================================================

The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) has been a cornerstone of feminist movements in the United States, aiming to guarantee equal rights for women under the law. However, the ERA has also been the subject of much debate and controversy. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the ERA.

Q: What is the Equal Rights Amendment?

A: The Equal Rights Amendment is a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution that aims to guarantee equal rights for women under the law. The amendment states 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."

Q: Who was the original author of the ERA?

A: Alice Paul, a leading figure in the women's suffrage movement, is often credited with drafting the original Equal Rights Amendment. Paul was a dedicated suffragist who believed in the importance of equal rights for women.

Q: What is the history of the ERA?

A: The ERA was first introduced to Congress in 1923 by Alice Paul and her National Woman's Party (NWP). However, the amendment faced significant opposition from lawmakers and was ultimately rejected. Despite this setback, Paul continued to advocate for the ERA, and in 1943, she introduced a revised version of the amendment to Congress. The ERA was reintroduced to Congress in 1972 by Representative Martha Griffiths of Michigan and was sent to the states for ratification.

Q: Why was the ERA not ratified?

A: The ERA was not ratified because it faced significant opposition from lawmakers and interest groups. Some argued that the ERA would lead to the erosion of traditional family values and the loss of women's rights under the law. Others argued that the ERA was unnecessary because women already had many of the same rights as men.

Q: What are the benefits of the ERA?

A: The ERA would provide several benefits for women, including:

Equal pay for equal work: The ERA would ensure that women are paid equally for equal work, regardless of their sex.
Protection from sex-based discrimination: The ERA would protect women from sex-based discrimination in employment, education, and other areas.
Increased representation in government: The ERA would increase the representation of women in government and ensure that women have a voice in the decision-making process.

Q: What are the challenges of the ERA?

A: The ERA faces several challenges, including:

Opposition from lawmakers and interest groups: The ERA has faced significant opposition from lawmakers and interest groups who argue that it would lead to the erosion of traditional family values and the loss of women's rights under the law.
Difficulty in achieving ratification: The ERA has been sent to the states for ratification several times, but it has yet to be ratified by the required number of states.
Complexity of the amendment: The ERA is a complex amendment that requires a deep understanding of the Constitution and the law.

Q: What is the current status of the ERA?

A: The ERA is currently not part of the United States Constitution. However, there are ongoing efforts to revive the ERA and achieve its ratification. In 2020, the House of Representatives passed a resolution to remove the deadline for ratification of the ERA, which would allow the amendment to be ratified by the states at any time.

Q: What can I do to support the ERA?

A: There are several ways to support the ERA, including:

Educating yourself and others: Learn about the ERA and its benefits, and share your knowledge with others.
Contacting your lawmakers: Reach out to your lawmakers and express your support for the ERA.
Participating in advocacy efforts: Join advocacy groups and participate in efforts to revive the ERA and achieve its ratification.

Sources

National Woman's Party. (n.d.). Alice Paul. Retrieved from https://www.nationalwomansparty.org/alice-paul/
National Woman's Party. (n.d.). The Equal Rights Amendment. Retrieved from https://www.nationalwomansparty.org/equal-rights-amendment/
U.S. House of Representatives. (2020). H.J. Res. 79: Removing the deadline for the ratification of the equal rights amendment. Retrieved from https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-joint-resolution/79
American Civil Liberties Union. (n.d.). The Equal Rights Amendment. Retrieved from https://www.aclu.org/issues/womens-rights/equal-rights-amendment