I am writing to urge you to take decisive action in support of the Equal Rights Amendment (E.R.A.) and ensure its full recognition as the 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution. As your constituent, I believe the E.R.A. is vital to guaranteeing equal rights for women and addressing the persistent gender inequities that continue to affect millions of Americans.
The E.R.A. states simply: “Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.” This concise and powerful declaration would solidify gender equality as a fundamental principle in our Constitution, providing a critical tool to challenge systemic discrimination.
Without explicit constitutional protections, women in the United States remain vulnerable to inequities, including:
• Wage disparities: Women continue to earn less than men for the same work. On average, women earn 82 cents for every dollar earned by men, with the gap even wider for women of color.
• Workplace discrimination: Despite existing laws, women face harassment, unequal opportunities, and unfair treatment that undermine their economic security.
• Healthcare inequality: Disparities in access to reproductive healthcare and the rising maternal mortality rates disproportionately affect women, particularly in marginalized communities.
• Violence against women: Protections against domestic violence, sexual assault, and other forms of gender-based violence lack the constitutional backing to ensure consistent enforcement.
The E.R.A. would provide a stronger legal foundation for addressing these injustices by elevating gender equality to the highest level of legal scrutiny. It would affirm women’s equal status under the law and help dismantle barriers that have persisted for generations.
With 38 states having ratified the E.R.A., Congress must act now to remove the arbitrary ratification deadline and recognize the amendment as valid. This is a pivotal moment to show your commitment to women’s rights and equality by supporting the resolution to eliminate the deadline and pave the way for the E.R.A.’s inclusion in our Constitution.
Your leadership on this issue will send a powerful message that the United States is ready to uphold its promise of equality for all its citizens. Women have waited nearly a century for this fundamental protection, and we cannot afford further delay.
Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. I respectfully ask for your support and advocacy to ensure the E.R.A. becomes the law of the land.
First sent on January 19 by Elizabeth
