Though originally proposed in the 1920s by Alice Paul, it wasn’t until 1972 that Congress reached the two-thirds vote needed to pass the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). Thirty-eight states are required to ratify an Amendment before it can be added to the U.S. Constitution. Thirty-five states have ratified it, but as of the start of 2017, 3 (yes, just 3!!!) states were still outstanding.

The proposed amendment simply 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.”

That’s it. Simple. Concise. An affirmative statement of equality.

In a celebratory end to Women’s (Her)story Month as well as a call to action, the Feminist Majority Foundation hosted the ERA Walk for Equality to raise funds for the renewed efforts to finish the work started decades ago.

“Without an ERA, women and girls are left to fight for equality state-by-state, law-by-law, and program-by-program instead of having a nationwide guarantee of equality in the supreme law of the land.” – Eleanor Smeal, co-founder of the Feminist Majority Foundation

Then, just before the walk, Nevada’s legislature voted to support the ERA, leaving only 2 votes left to ratify the ERA!!!

Stay tuned to the Feminist Majority for the progress being made by the formidable women (and allies) all around the country!

If you are still wondering why we need an Equal Rights Amendment, The Feminist Majority lists several reasons.