Virginia and the Equal Rights Amendment

• Main Author: Bezbatchenko, Mary
• Format: Others
• Published: VCU Scholars Compass 2007
• Subjects: Women's Political Caucus; Eleanor Smeal; Phyllis Schlalfy; womens movement; activism; League of Women Voters; constitutional amendment; womens organization; ERA; Virginia politics; Arts and Humanities; History
• Online Access: http://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/748; http://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1747&context=etd

In 1972, the campaign to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) began in the states. Many states quickly ratified the amendment but the ERA stalled fifteen states short of the necessary three-fourths to become part of the United States Constitution. Virginia was one of the states who did not ratify the amendment and this study examines the reasons why. Much like other southern states, conservative Virginia legislators wanted to maintain traditional gender roles. STOP ERA and other anti-ERA organizations mobilized before the proponents developed a unified campaign. Legislators were able to use the rules of the General Assembly to block serious consideration and ratification of the ERA. Proponents of the amendment started with an educational campaign but faced the problem of not being in a position to challenge the powerful conservative leaders in the General Assembly. They then shifted to a campaign based on electoral politics. However, the transition occurred too late to effect the outcome of ERA ratification in Virginia.