Equal Rights Fight

Archive Report

Current Outlook for Ratification

Evidence of Dwindling Support in States

The struggle to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) is beginning to resemble the ordeal of Tantalus — the mythical Greek king who was condemned to perpetual hunger and thirst, with food and water lying just beyond reach. So far, 35 state legislatures have ratified the proposed amendment to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex. Only three more must do so before it becomes part of the Constitution. But it is entirely possible that the ERA will die inches short of its goal. Organized resistance remains strong in all 15 of the remaining states — some of which have defeated the amendment over and over — and no consensus exists on which three states, if ...

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