LegNet July 2009

Reintroducing the Women’s Equality Amendment

On Tuesday, July 21, 2009, Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) will reintroduce the Women’s Equality Amendment on Capitol Hill. The Women’s Equality Amendment, formerly the Equal Rights Amendment, is a bipartisan resolution proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of the United States to guarantee equal rights to both men and women. By showing support for the Women’s Equality Amendment, GFWC clubwomen can help demonstrate the intensity of their commitment to ensuring equal rights.

 »Learn more about this important GFWC Priority Issue

»Read why passage of the Women’s Equality Amendment is vital to ensure gender equality in the United States

»Read about Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney’s extensive involvement in advocating for the Women’s Equality Amendment

GFWC's Call to Action

»Educate yourself

• Read the full text of the Women’s Equality Amendment (H.J. Res. 40) from the 110^th Congress.
• Learn the facts regarding the Women’s Equality Amendment.
• Look at a Statistical Snapshot of American Women.
• Understand the Constitutional Amendment Process.

»Inform Others

• Pass this alert on to your fellow clubwomen, your friends, your family, and your community.  
• Share the details of the institutionalized discrimination against women in the United States.
• Inform local newspapers, radio stations, and local television news of the issue. Write a letter to the editor to raise awareness of the systemic discrimination against women in America and the necessity of passing the Women’s Equality Amendment to ensure gender equality.

»Create Change

• Show your support of the Women’s Equality Amendment by joining with Rep. Carolyn Maloney on July 21 when she reintroduces the Women’s Equality Amendment to the 111^th Congress. If you are unable to attend the event in Washington, D.C., work with fellow club members to organize a trip to your state legislature to demonstrate the breadth of your support for the Women’s Equality Amendment. For the Amendment to become law, it must be ratified by the states once it has gained Congressional approval. Make sure to let your local representatives know that their communities support passage of the Women’s Equality Amendment.
• Contact Congress immediately and let them know that you support full funding of the Women’s Equality Amendment as well as all programs to diminish gender-based discrimination. Encourage your elected official to sign on as cosponsors of this vital piece of legislation, to ensure true equality amongst women and men.
• Find out where your lawmakers stand, and contact them directly. You can find your lawmakers contact information online at the Senate and House of Representatives websites.