Political Supporters

Elizabeth Holtzman

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Liz, a Congresswoman from New York, pushed for the extension of the 1979 deadline for the ratification of the ERA. Thanks to her efforts, we now extra time to garner support from states. Additionally, she co-founded the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues (a bi-partisan group focused on equality for women in Social Security, tax, laws, etc.) with Margaret Heckler.

Martha Griffiths

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Martha, a member of the House of Representatives from Michigan, has been one of strongest fighters for ERA. In ’64 she was instrumental in adding the prohibition of sex discrimination to the Civil Rights Amendment. After some changes to the wording of the amendment, she re-introduced ERA to Congress in ’71–this gave us our 7-year deadline for ratification. In addition to her political contributions to the ERA, Ms Griffiths is the first woman to serve on the powerful House Committee on Ways and Means.

Margaret Heckler

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Ms Heckler, a congresswomen from Massachusetts, has publically advocated for our crusade for equality. Click here to read one of her speeches. Click here to read her speech to the Senate.

Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm

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Before she was a New York congresswoman, Shirley was a nursery school teacher and educational consultant. She now directs her efforts towards the progress of civil rights. Her most famous speech was delivered in the House in 1970 advocating for the ERA. Watch the speech here!

Bella Abzug

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Last year, Ms Abzug  presided over the historic n. She also heads President Carter’s National Advisory Committee on Women. Early in 1975 Rep. Bella Abzug (D. NY) introduced a bill to hold a national women’s conference as part of the Bicentennial celebration. The bill, signed by President Ford, resulted in the first National Women’s Conference. 20,000 women gathered at this conference in Houston. See Past Events for more details.

Jimmy Carter

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Our President is an ardent support of the ERA. He signed the extension for the ERA this year so we have extra time to ratify the ERA. Click here for President Carter’s remarks.