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We need to keep moving forward. by Betty Folliard (as posted in the StarTribune August 23) Another Women's Equality Day will come and go Aug. 26, and still no equality for women is in sight. What have we seen? The regression of our rights. And what actions toward equality of rights for every citizen have been taken to move our state and country toward a more perfect union? At the state level, not a whole heap. In the Minnesota House, early action took place this past session to pass Equal Rights Amendment bills through a host of committees, but an anti-choice majority in that chamber prevented House Speaker Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, from calling for votes on the House floor. In the Minnesota Senate, far-right conservative white men, clinging to the last throes of a patriarchal structure that has dominated for so long, refused to even meet with activists to entertain the notion of a conversation about the idea of legalizing equality. More forward motion on equal rights is playing out at the federal level. This year the U.S. House passed legislation to remove the arbitrary time limit imposed on the ERA last century; similar action awaits Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, permitting a vote in the U.S. Senate. Meanwhile, many state attorneys general, along with over 200 women's rights and justice organizations, top constitutional law experts, 86 major corporations and others are suing to finally publish the now-ratified Equal Rights Amendment. The sticking point remains a memo sent from the Trump administration to the National Archivist preventing said department from doing its ministerial duty to publish the ERA. But hope is on the horizon. The recent Supreme Court Dobbs decision removing not just our reproductive rights but effectively obliterating 14th Amendment rights has awakened a sleeping public. In response, women are registering in record numbers to vote in this election. This bodes well for electing equality this November. What can the average citizen do to advance equality for people with uteruses? Easy: Ask candidates whether they will champion the Equal Rights Amendment if elected. Then hold them accountable. Vote progressive women into office. Then support their efforts to move America toward a more just society. Vote equality. Elect equality. Then maybe, just maybe, come next year's Women's Equality Day we will actually have something to celebrate. Betty Folliard, of Minneapolis, is a former state representative and president emeritus of ERA Minnesota. You probably have gotten wind of our Elect Equality campaign that we are running this election. We have now contacted every legislative candidate in the state, over 500 candidates, with our questionnaire, followed up by many phone calls. When we get positive responses we will be amplifying them on social media. Please add your voice - let the candidates know what you think and want!
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ERAMN is a partner with the ERA Coalition, which was founded in 2014 as a national organization to bring concerted organized action to the effort to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment.
Comprising more than 120 partner and supporter organizations across the country, the ERA Coalition provides education on, and advocacy for, Constitutional equality. ERA Coalition Announces First Slate of Federal Candidates with ERA Certification Stamp of Approval. Go to ERA Coalition "Elect Equality" webpage to see if Minnesota federal candidates support the ERA : https://www.eracoalition.org/electequality Go to ERA Coalition "Take Action" webpage to: 1) Contact Senator Chuck Schumer to support the ERA. 2) Recognize the ERA as the 28th Amendment. Minnesota Primary Elections are open until August 9th
Get ready, get informed and VOTE!
Here’s a happy ERA progress report:
MOMENTUM! March on the Capitol! Sunday July 17 @ 11 - 3.
ERA MN is partnering with UnRestrict MN and their Coalition, Women's March MN, and Planned Parenthood North Central States as a co-sponsor to Our Future: March for Abortion Access on Sunday, July 17th from 11:00 to 3:00 PM at the State Capitol. There will be a march to the capitol, a rally with speakers and performers, and a tabling event on the lawn. Join Us and other like minded folks to speak up for Abortion Access! Roe v Wade Overturned! 50 years of rights lost!Washington, D.C. - Following the news that the United States Supreme Court has overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling in deciding Dobbs v. Jackson - Women’s Health Organization, ERA Coalition and Fund for Women’s Equality President and CEO Zakiya Thomas released the following statement:
“Today is truly a turning point for the civil rights of everyone in this country. Upending established precedent and mounting one of the most damaging assaults on our constitutional rights in nearly 50 years makes us all less in control of our bodies. This decision is unjust and diminishes us all. We will not have full equality in this country until every person truly has the right to control their body and, in turn, participate fully and equally in our society, politics, and economy. “Today’s decision reflects a stunningly limited view of the rights conferred by our Constitution, and it highlights why we need the Equal Rights Amendment. Indeed, ERA opponents have long used abortion as a wedge issue, to distract from their real motivation: perpetuating the second-class status of women and gender/sexual minorities in America. “Millions of people will suffer life-altering consequences as a result of the Supreme Court’s disturbing actions, which will disproportionately hurt people who look like me, especially LGBTQ+ people of color, in states where abortion will become illegal or severely restricted. More than ever, we are grateful today for our Coalition partners like the Center for Reproductive Rights, In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, Physicians for Reproductive Health, National Organization for Women (NOW), Feminist Majority, Women’s March, North Star Project, and Ms. Magazine, who have and will continue to work tirelessly to ensure reproductive rights and justice across the country. “With this decision –– and with the Senate’s failure to join the House in voting to remove the congressional time limit imposed on the ERA’s ratification in 1972 –– it is clear that we must elect more representatives who value full equality for women. This is why we’ve launched our Elect Equality campaign –– to ensure voters can find and support candidates who openly advocate for sex equality at every level of government. Because our rights depend on it.” ### Sandy Pappas called a vote on SF323 "Equality under the law shall not be abridged or denied on account of sex" and here it is:  This was a move to get SF323 out of committee to the Senate General Orders and bypass a committee hearing. With a Republican majority, they are not holding hearings on any ERA bills so this is one way to try to move it forward. AND it gets them on the record with a vote yea or nay (see image or below). There is still a chance to get other ERA bills heard this way but likely the same outcome. There is still the chance of a conference committee when we get a vote on the House floor. Speaker Hortman assured us that she would schedule a MN House floor vote. Hang in there all, Suzann ERA President Vote... Yea 30 Nay 32 Dist Name Room Phone: 651-29... 35 Abeler, Jim (R) .................................................. 3215 ...................................... 6-3733 29 Anderson, Bruce D. (R) .................................3209 ...................................... 6-5981 3 Bakk, Thomas M. (I) .....................................328 Cap. ................................. 6-8881 31 Benson, Michelle R. (R) .................................. 3109 ...................................... 6-3219 54 Bigham, Karla (DFL) ....................................... 2411 ...................................... 7-8060 51 Carlson, Jim (DFL) ........................................... 2207 ...................................... 7-8073 38 Chamberlain, Roger C. (R)............................ 3225 ...................................... 6-1253 59 Champion, Bobby Joe (DFL) ....................... 2401 ...................................... 6-9246 57 Clausen, Gregory D. (DFL)............................ 2233 ...................................... 6-4120 47 Coleman, Julia E. (R) ....................................... 2101 ...................................... 6-4837 48 Cwodzinski, Steve (DFL) ............................... 2231 ...................................... 6-1314 16 Dahms, Gary H. (R) ......................................... 2111 ...................................... 6-8138 61 Dibble, D. Scott (DFL) .................................... 2213 ...................................... 6-4191 27 Dornink, Gene (R) ........................................... 3229 ...................................... 6-5240 20 Draheim, Rich (R) ............................................ 3227 ...................................... 6-5558 58 Duckworth, Zach (R) ...................................... 2103 ...................................... 6-7633 60 Dziedzic, Kari (DFL) ........................................ 2203 ...................................... 6-7809 40 Eaton, Chris A. (DFL) ...................................... 2303 ...................................... 6-8869 5 Eichorn, Justin D. (R) ...................................... 3213 ...................................... 6-7079 4 Eken,Kent (DFL) .............................................. 2211 ...................................... 6-3205 62 Fateh, Omar (DFL) ........................................... 2325 ...................................... 6-4261 49 Lopez Franzen, Melisa (DFL) ..................... 2209 ...................................... 6-6238 19 Frentz, Nick A. (DFL) ....................................... 2415 ...................................... 6-6153 9 Gazelka, Paul E. (R).......................................... 3113 ...................................... 6-4875 21 Goggin, Michael P. (R).................................... 3203 ...................................... 6-5612 67 Hawj, Foung (DFL) .......................................... 2201 ...................................... 6-5285 36 Hoffman, John A. (DFL)................................. 2235 ...................................... 6-4154 39 Housley, Karin (R) ............................................ 3217 ...................................... 6-4351 13 Howe, Jeff R. (R) ............................................... 3231 ...................................... 6-2084 8 Ingebrigtsen, Bill (R) ...................................... 3207 ...................................... 7-8063 42 Isaacson, Jason (DFL) .................................... 2229 ...................................... 6-5537 24 Jasinski, John R. (R) ......................................... 3211 ...................................... 6-0284 1 Johnson, Mark (R) ........................................... 3111 ...................................... 6-5782 44 Johnson Stewart, Ann M. (DFL) ............. 2413 ...................................... 6-9261 53 Kent, Susan (DFL) ............................................ 2221 ...................................... 6-4166 30 Kiffmeyer, Mary (R) ......................................... 3103 ...................................... 6-5655 52 Klein, Matt D. (DFL) ........................................ 2409 ...................................... 6-4370 32 Koran, Mark W. (R) ........................................... 3101 ...................................... 6-5419 41 Kunesh, Mary K. (DFL) ................................... 2323 ...................................... 6-4334 17 Lang, Andrew R. (R) ........................................ 3205 ...................................... 6-4918 46 Latz, Ron (DFL) ................................................. 2215 ...................................... 7-8065 34 Limmer, Warren (R) ......................................... 3221 ...................................... 6-2159 66 Marty, John (DFL)............................................ 2301 ...................................... 6-5645 15 Mathews, Andrew (R) .................................... 2105 ...................................... 6-8075 7 McEwen, Jennifer A. (DFL) ........................... 2417 ...................................... 6-4188 28 Miller, Jeremy R. (R) ........................................ 3107 ...................................... 6-5649 64 Murphy, Erin P. (DFL) ...................................... 2319 ...................................... 6-5931 26 Nelson, Carla J. (R) .......................................... 3235 ...................................... 6-4848 18 Newman, Scott J. (R) ...................................... 3105 ...................................... 6-4131 37 Newton, Jerry (DFL) ....................................... 2403 ...................................... 6-2556 33 Osmek, David J. (R) ......................................... 2107 ...................................... 6-1282 65 Pappas, Sandra L. (DFL) ................................ 2205 ...................................... 6-1802 56 Port, Lindsey (DFL) ......................................... 2321 ...................................... 6-5975 55 Pratt, Eric R. (R) ................................................. 3219 ...................................... 6-4123 14 Putnam, Aric (DFL) ......................................... 2327 ...................................... 6-6455 11 Rarick, Jason (R) .............................................. . 3411 ...................................... 6-1508 45 Rest, Ann H. (DFL) ........................................... 2217 ...................................... 6-2889 23 Rosen, Julie A. (R) ............................................ 2113 ...................................... 6-5713 10 Ruud, Carrie (R) ................................................ 3233 ...................................... 6-4913 25 Senjem, David H. (R) ...................................... 3401 ...................................... 6-3903 6 Tomassoni, David J. (I) ................................328 Cap. ................................. 6-8017 63 Torres Ray, Patricia (DFL) .............................. 2225 ...................................... 6-4274 2 Utke, Paul J. (R)................................................. 3403 ...................................... 6-9651 22 Weber, Bill (R) ................................................... 2109 ...................................... 6-5650 12 Westrom, Torrey N. (R) ................................... 3201 ...................................... 6-3826 43 Wiger, Charles W. (DFL) ................................. 2219 ...................................... 6-6820 50 Wiklund, Melissa H. (DFL) ............................ 2227 ...................................... 7-8061
International Women's Day Event on March 8, 2022 was a huge success. There were speakers and the presentation of the petition. See videos below:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 8, 2022 Contact: Suzann Willhite: suzann@eramn.org Minnesotans: Give us a vote on the Equal Rights Amendment Petition delivered to Senate Leaders by Coach Cheryl Reeve Saint Paul, MN - Today, on International Women’s Day, Lynx Head Coach and General Manager Cheryl Reeve joined ERA Minnesota to deliver a petition to Senate Leaders asking that they place an Equal Rights Amendment before voters. The amendment to the State Constitution would make Minnesota the 27th state to adopt a guarantee for equal rights for all in its state constitution, joining Texas, Florida, Nebraska among others. “I not only have a passion for winning on the court, but a passion for championing issues that have long affected women off the court,” said Cheryl Reeve, Head Coach and General Manager of the Minnesota Lynx. “I am proud to stand with ERA Minnesota and thousands of other Minnesotans who want to vote on an Equal Rights Amendment to the Minnesota Constitution.” “ERA Minnesota represents thousands of Minnesotans asking for a vote on this critical amendment,” said Suzann Willhite, President of ERA Minnesota. “We thank Senate Leaders for being responsive to the many Minnesotans that have joined this petition. This petition, only two weeks old, has gained just over 1,000 signatures from Minnesotans who are active in their communities and pay attention to the action - or inaction - of their legislators.” “I am proud to author S.F. 323, a proposed Constitutional Amendment to guarantee equality under the law,” said Senator Sandy Pappas. “The lack of guaranteed rights means women are paid less on average and don’t have the same equal rights protections as the rest of the population.” The Minnesota Equal Rights Amendment is moving through the Minnesota House, but has yet to get a hearing scheduled in the Minnesota Senate. ## House State Government Finance and Elections
March 3, 2022 - 8:30:00 AM 01:59 - HF726 (Bahner) Gender equality provided under law, and constitutional amendment proposed. 34:14 - HF2026 (Hornstein) ERA; a resolution memorializing Congress to remove the extra-textual time limit for ratification of the amendment by the states. 1:03:21 - HF2847 (Moran) Minnesota Statutes and Rules review required for compliance with Equal Rights Amendment to the United States Constitution. 1:19:19 - HF2863 (Dettmer) Big Marine Lake Veterans Campground wastewater system upgrade funding provided, and money appropriated. Runs 1 hour, 28 minutes. Watch the Video - HERE Read the synopsis - HERE On the first day of the 2022 Minnesota legislative session, over 200 ERA Activists gathered in the Capitol Rotunda to declare this Session the Equality Session. With signs, banners, and chants, folks from around the state celebrated Enactment Day of the federal Equal Rights Amendment and demanded that a state constitutional amendment be put to the voters this November. Top leaders spoke at the rally, including Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan, Attorney General Keith Ellison, House Speaker Melissa Hortman, Minority Leader Melisa Lopez Franzen, and a host of ERA bill Chief Authors. At the end of the rally, activists went to the House and Senate Chambers to welcome legislators back to work. The media covered the event well, with mentions in both major Minnesota papers, TV coverage and on radio. This rally was immediately followed by hearings of ERA bills in the house Judiciary Committee on Tuesday morning at 8:30 AM where 2 ERA bills were then passed out of committee. Thank you to our outstanding volunteers who made this impactful rally happen. Thank you to our 27 cosponsor organizations - the largest contingent so far. And thank you to our marvelous speakers. Together we can and we will achieve equality! Streamed live on January 27, 2022. Press Conference:
Q&A Follows Q & A starts at 19:30 on video. Speier and Maloney Unveil Resolution Recognizing the Equal Rights Amendment as the 28th Amendment. Resolution - Expressing the sense of the House of Representative that the article of amendment (commonly known as the "Equal Rights Amendment") to the Constitution is valid. [View Resolution] President Biden's Statement on the ERA:
Today, as the House announces a resolution on the Equal Rights Amendment, I once again want to express my support for the ERA loudly and clearly. I have been a strong supporter of the ERA ever since I first ran for the Senate as a 29-year-old. We must recognize the clear will of the American people and definitively enshrine the principle of gender equality in the Constitution. It is long past time that we put all doubt to rest. I am calling on Congress to act immediately to pass a resolution recognizing ratification of the ERA. As the recently published Office of Legal Counsel memorandum makes clear, there is nothing standing in Congress’s way from doing so. No one should be discriminated against based on their sex—and we, as a nation, must stand up for full women’s equality. ### [Link to Statement] Celebrate January 27th as Federal ERA Day
BRIEFING ROOM Statement from President Biden on the Equal Rights Amendment JANUARY 27, 2022 • STATEMENTS AND RELEASES Today, as the House announces a resolution on the Equal Rights Amendment, I once again want to express my support for the ERA loudly and clearly. I have been a strong supporter of the ERA ever since I first ran for the Senate as a 29-year-old. We must recognize the clear will of the American people and definitively enshrine the principle of gender equality in the Constitution. It is long past time that we put all doubt to rest. I am calling on Congress to act immediately to pass a resolution recognizing ratification of the ERA. As the recently published Office of Legal Counsel memorandum makes clear, there is nothing standing in Congress’s way from doing so. No one should be discriminated against based on their sex—and we, as a nation, must stand up for full women’s equality. ----------------------------------------------------- For Immediate Release Contact: Maria McElwain (Blumenthal) 202-224-6452 Rebecca Brown (Klobuchar) 202-224-3244 Lauren Wodarski (Cortez Masto) 202-821-6169 Nelly Decker (Maloney) 202-226-5181 Tracy Manzer (Speier) 202-225-3531 January 26, 2022 BLUMENTHAL, KLOBUCHAR, CORTEZ MASTO, MALONEY, & SPEIER URGE DOJ TO RESCIND FLAWED OPINION THAT SEEKS TO OBSTRUCT RATIFICATION OF EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT The ERA text states that the Amendment takes effect on Thursday, two years after ratification by the constitutionally required 38th state [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and U.S. Representatives Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) and Jackie Speier (D-CA) called on the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) to withdraw an opinion seeking to stand in the way of the Equal Rights Amendment’s (ERA) recognition as the 28th Amendment. Since its approval by the House of Representatives and the Senate in 1971 and 1972, respectfully, the ERA has reached the constitutionally required threshold of ratification by three-fourths, or 38 states. The ERA text requires the amendment take effect two years after the final state’s ratification; this Thursday marks two years since Virginia became the 38th state to sign on. “It is inexcusable that in the year 2022, women and girls still cannot find a guarantee of equality under the law reflected in their own Constitution,” the lawmakers wrote to Assistant Attorney General Christopher H. Schroeder. “Ratifying the ERA would make protections for women and girls permanent, enshrining in our Constitution the guarantee to equality under law on the basis of sex, once and for all.” The 2020 OLC opinion cited an arbitrary time limit Congress included in the preamble of the ERA resolution—but not in the text of the resolution ratified by the states—to claim that ratifications by the final three states of Nevada, Illinois, and Virginia were moot. The OLC opinion also concluded that the only way for the ERA to be ratified at this point is to reintroduce it and start the entire process from scratch, after decades of effort. Prominent constitutional legal scholars have issued an analysis finding the OLC opinion is legally flawed and must be withdrawn. “Any action to deny the basic recognition of sex equality demands a robust justification on policy and legal grounds. The January 2020 OLC opinion falls far short of this high standard,” the lawmakers wrote. “Article V lays out the amending process. It does not say anything about deadlines. It simply states that an amendment becomes valid when ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures.” The lawmakers concluded by calling on the OLC to reverse the opinion and allow for the Archivist to carry out his ministerial duty of recognizing the complete and final adoption of the ERA. “After generations of fighting for the ERA, sex equality deserves a permanent home in the Constitution. A flawed opinion from the OLC must not be allowed to stand in the way of their rights… It is long past time to bring the United States Constitution into the 20th (let alone the 21st) century by expressly recognizing equality on the basis of sex.” The full text of the letter is available here and below. Thank you to Senator Klobuchar for standing up for the ERA.  PRESS ADVISORY For Immediate Release Contact: Suzann Willhite suzann@eramn.org (612) 554-4008 Betty Folliard betty.folliard@gmail.com (612) 868-3511 January 24, 2022 ERAMN Announces #Day1forERA Rally Saint Paul - ERA Minnesota (ERAMN, https://www.eramn.org) is holding a huge rally called #Day1forERA on Monday, January 31, 2022, at 11am in the Minnesota Capitol Rotunda. All are invited. Confirmed speakers thus far are: Minnesota Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan, Attorney General Keith Ellison, Senate Minority Leader Melisa López Franzen, Senators Scott Dibble, Mary Kunesh, Jennifer McEwen, Sandy Pappas, Chuck Wiger, and Representatives Kristin Bahner, Kaohly Vang Her, Frank Hornstein, and Rena Moran. Cosponsors to date include: AAUW - Mpls, Alliance of Medical Graduates, Breaking Free, Education Minnesota, GenderJustice, GenERAtionRatify MN, Island & Discarded Women, Isuroon, League of Women Voters (LWV) - Mpls., LWV-MN, LWV-St. Paul, AFL-CIO MN, MN Move to Amend, MN Now, Minnesota Protests, MN Renewable Now, Mom's Demand Action MN, National Council of Jewish Women -MN, OneMN, RISE - Reviving Sisterhood, Rock What You Got, Save our Sons MN, transforming families, UniteWomen-MN, VH4Change, Women Winning, Women's March MN, This Thursday, January 27, 2022, the 28th Amendment becomes enforceable in the courts for cases based on sex discrimination, having been properly ratified by the 38 states on January 27, 2020 and thereby achieving all constitutional requirements to become the 28th Amendment to the US Constitution. As of that date, the two-year waiting period before final enactment specified in the amendment will have expired. Never in the history of this country has an amendment to The Constitution, having achieved all constitutional requirements set out by Article V (that is, adopted by 2/3 of Congress and ratified by 3/4 states) been stalled by an arbitrary time limit, until women’s rights were on the table. We’re done waiting. ERA Minnesota, along with 86 Business & Corporate Entities, 24 states, over fifty national Coalitions and Advocates for Equality & Women’s Rights, International Organizations, the United Conference of Mayors, a host of top Constitutional Law Professors and many others, is on federal litigation (https://VoteEquality.US/FAQ/Virginia-v-Ferriero) to ensure final enactment of the 28th Amendment. ERAMN's goal is to finally pass the long overdue ERA into our state constitution and enshrine equality for all in the US Constitution. We will showcase 11 ERA bills currently before the Minnesota Legislature and share the new ERA COMPLIANCE BILL being introduced this Session. Last year the US Congress passed a bill to rescind the arbitrary time limit that was imposed on women’s rights. Nationally, advocates’ energies are now aimed at the US Senate. And at the Minnesota Capitol, our goal is to declare this year the year to finally make Equality legal by passing our ERA legislation. We welcome the press to our #Day1forERA Rally. ###  ERA Minnesota is a coalition of advocates and organizations dedicated to ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) into our federal & state constitutions. Founded in 2014. The federal ERA 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.”
PRESS ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, August 19, 2021 CONTACT: Betty Folliard, betty.folliard@gmail.com, (612) 868-3511 Heather Allison, heather@eramn.org, (651) 214-1702 ERA Minnesota Sends Delegation to Top National Women’s Rights #Rally4ERA in DC on Women’s Equality Day SAINT PAUL - On Women’s Equality Day, August 26th, ERA Minnesota (ERAMN) will join delegations from across the country for the #Rally4ERA taking place in front of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., to call with one voice for the Equal Rights Amendment (“Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex"). The ERAMN delegation joins top national and state organizations including: ERA Coalition, Feminist Majority, National Congress of Black Women, National Organization of Women (NOW), League of Women Voters, Equal Means Equal, Women’s March, National Women’s Political Caucus, National Alliance to End Sexual Violence, Leading Women of Tomorrow, Transformative Justice Coalition, Equality, Network, Justice for Migrant Women, Feminist Front, Women’s Media Center, Black Women’s Roundtable, American Humanist Association, Equality NOW, 38 Agree for Georgia, Supermajority, Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW), Justice for Migrant Women, MANA and many others who unite in solidarity behind passage of the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution – the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). “On Women’s Inequality Day 2021, we rise up to demand the same rights as a class that men as a class enjoy,” said Heather Allison, President of ERA Minnesota. “Everyone can participate in raising the banner for ERA, either in person in DC, watching #Rally4ERAlivestreamed, or by joining one of the dozens of satellite rallies being held around the country that day. We say all the way with the ERA.” “This #Rally4ERA, on the one day of the year the national press deigns to shed light on the lack of equality on account of sex in the US, is unique because of its singular focus on constitutional equality, a vital necessity to removing barriers that thwart women’s economic security", said Betty Folliard, Founder of ERA Minnesota. “We mean to pass the ERA now, a goal that has taken American women 245 years to achieve." For more information or to join the rally, visit www.eracoalition.org/rally4era. #### ERA Minnesota is a coalition of advocates and organizations dedicated to ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment into our federal & state constitutions, founded in 2014. Silent Sentinels Are Back!
by Betty Folliard One would have thought after the #WomensMarch, #TimesUp, and #MeToo movements, coupled with women’s dominance in the polls last November ushering in new national leadership, that the wind was finally at our backs to certify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) as the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. But no. Citizens are suffering for the lack of constitutional equality. The emergency nature of gender discrimination demonstrates that it is a front-burner issue, heightening the call for the ERA. Pay inequity leaves women on average earning just 82 cents to a man’s dollar, with far higher inequities for Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian women & Women of color; one in 4 women in the U.S. experience severe intimate partner physical violence; one in five women with be raped in her lifetime, while less than 1% of rapes ever lead to felony convictions; 2/3 of tipped workers and 2/3 of minimum wage earners are women; women still get fired for being pregnant; childcare can cost more than college; nearly 2/3 of elderly seniors living in poverty are women; women in our military fight and die for their country yet still don’t have equal rights; and the list goes on greatly exacerbated by Covid: according to the National Women’s Law Center, women in America lost 4.6 million jobs during the pandemic. The ERA, “Equality of rights shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.”, will create a more inclusive constitution and provide stronger scrutiny in our court system for cases of gender discrimination: sexual violence, pregnancy discrimination, pay inequity, and the laws that unjustly discriminate against women, men, LGBTQ and non-binary individuals. Last year, 2020, Virginia became the 38th state in the nation to ratify the ERA, thereby clearing all the constitutional hurdles set out in Article V of the Constitution for the ERA to be added as the 28th Amendment. However, just two weeks before Virginia’s ratification, the Trump Administration Department of Justice’s (DOJ) shifted the bar line, issuing a Barr Memo that blocked U.S. Archivist David Ferriero from doing his duty to certify the amendment. That Barr Memo blocking the ERA has yet to be reversed or removed. This puts the onus now on U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland to rescind it. Attorney General Garland has a pivotal role to play in this long, arduous march to make equal legal in America. He can act to rescind the toxic Barr Memo and allow the ERA to be certified. The U.S. House has passed the bill to remove the time limit. Efforts also focus on the U.S. Senate, where it was given Day 1 status, entitled SJRes.1. Majority of the senators support the ERA; co-sponsors include Democrats, Republicans, and an Independent. But it requires 60 votes for passage. The filibuster, a Jim Crow relic, creates another barrier, amplifying the intersectional relationship between racism and sexism. The ERA is the only amendment passed by 38 states that was written, instigated, and justified by women since women gained the vote, and is the only constitutional amendment that has cleared both hurdles required by Article V of the U.S. Constitution (i.e., having been adopted by 2/3 of Congress and ratified by 3⁄4 states) that has not been added to the constitution simply because of a time limit. Over 104 years ago, Silent Sentinels first came to Washington, D.C., to demand the vote. Now Silent Sentinels are back- to finish the job of achieving equality in America by certifying the ERA. A delegation of ERA Minnesota Silent Sentinels are headed to Washington, D.C., this Monday. We’ll join compatriots around the country to hold daily vigil in front of the DOJ to tell AG Garland to rescind the ERA Barr Memo. Minnesota is among a minority of states that have still not added an ERA to our state constitution. State and federal governments remain dominated by white male leaders, many who are woefully out of step with the majority of Americans on the issue of equality. Silent Sentinels speak volumes: Break down the barriers. Enact the ERA. Betty Folliard is a thought leader, political strategist, a former 3-term legislator, and President Emeritus of ERA Minnesota -a coalition of thousands of activists & organizations dedicated to passing the Equal Rights Amendment into our state & national constitutions. PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, June 14, 2021 CONTACTS: Heather Allison, heather@eramn.org, BettyFolliard, betty.folliard@gmail.com ERA Minnesota Sends Silent Sentinels to Stand Vigil at the DOJ, June 28-30 SAINT PAUL - On June 28-30, 2021, ERA Minnesota (ERAMN) will be sending a delegation of activists to Washington, D.C. to participate in the Equal Means Equal Silent Sentinel Protest Vigil in front of the U.S. Department of Justice. ERAMN delegates will join activists from across the country to elevate the issue that U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland has yet to rescind the Trump Administration’s Barr Memo which effectively stopped the U.S. Archivist from doing his ministerial duty to publish the ERA. This action continues the work of the Silent Sentinels who, 100 years ago, fought for the right to vote then pivoted to demand the U.S. finally legalize equality. ERA facts:
For more information, participate in this action or sponsor a sentinel, go to: www.eramn.org or https://equalmeansequal.org/blog/join-us-era-sentinel-outside-doj/ #### ERA Minnesota is a coalition of advocates and organizations dedicated to ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment into our federal & state constitutions, founded in 2014. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, March 17, 2021 US House Passes HJ Res 17! Washington, D.C.: Today the US House passed a joint resolution to remove the arbitrary and capricious time limit on the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) with a bipartisan vote of 222-204. "This is a historic moment for our country," said Betty Folliard, President Emeritus of ERA Minnesota. "Today's US House ERA vote signals an inflection point, recognizing that women were intentionally left out of the Constitution from its inception and righting that egregious wrong." "This is one giant step for womankind in our quest to secure the same legal rights as a class as men, as a class, enjoy." said ERA Minnesota President Heather Allison. "The ERA will protect all of us equally under the law against discrimination on the basis of sex. And all means all." Next steps for this resolution is to go to the US Senate for adoption where it has been given a priority number of SJ Res 1. by Betty Folliard
Our national partners ERA Coalition will host a live celebration and watch party for the upcoming House vote, this WEDNESDAY (3/17)! The debate starts at 2:30 PM CT-----Vote at 3:30 PM CT. They'll start the conversation before the floor speeches begin, and then we can watch the floor speeches. Afterwards we’re invited to join in on the celebration, featuring some special guests, coalition members, and elected officials. You can watch the full livestream on ERA Coalition Facebook page. This vote and the watch party is slated to happen on Wednesday, but the time is still in flux with the US House, so keep an eye on www.Facebook.com/ERAcoalition. Dear ERA Coalition Lead Organizations and Advocates,
Welcome to House vote week! I am writing to share some important resources and updates with you as we all prepare for this week’s exciting events. Take Action with our House Vote Share Kit! In advance of the House vote we want to make sure that the members of Congress are hearing from us that we want them to vote for HJ Res 17 when it is on the floor. Please use, and widely share, our share kit with graphics and posts. I’m also including a link to our updated action alert page for you to share with your netowrks. Link to ERA House Vote Share Kit: House Vote Share Kit Link to Updated Action Alert: Take Action Link to watch Rules Committee meeting on HJ Res 17- Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. The Rules Committee will meet to establish the rules for the House vote which will take place on Wednesday. We’ve heard that the ERA will likely be debated late Tuesday afternoon. We will send out a notice when it is about to be brought up. Announcement of Rules Committee meeting: Meeting Announcement for Tuesday, March 16, 2021 | House of Representatives Committee on Rules Watch stream of the Rules Committee meeting here: House of Representatives Committee on Rules | Date/Timing of Vote The House will bring the ERA to the floor for a vote this Wednesday, March 17th. The House is also planning to vote on the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA) the same day and we don’t yet have confirmation which bill will hit the floor first. We are told that General Debate on the ERA will begin around 12:00 pm and that a vote is expected to begin around 3:30 pm with final passage around 4:15 pm. Join us for a celebration of the House Vote! The ERA Coalition will be hosting a live Zoom event and invite all our partners to join us. We will be streaming this event on Facebook as well. Feel free to invite your friends to the Facebook event! We be inviting members of Congress, celebrities and advocates from across the country to join us before the House begins it debate and after it finishes during the vote to talk about what this means, where we go next, and celebrate the win together! You can register at the link below: Event info for RSVP (date and time will change). Register in advance for this meeting at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYld-CuqjkuH9Xt9GO7VzOV35_Ml4DSWaL2 After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. The date and time will change as soon as we have firm confirmation of the start time, but we’ll be in touch with registrants with the new date/time as soon as we have it. Best wishes, Bettina Bettina Hager (she/her) DC Director & Director, Outreach and Advocacy | ERA Coalition/Fund for Women's Equality (FFWE) By Betty Folliard
ERA Members - I have good news and bad news: First the good news: You may have seen info I shared on social media regarding the intention of the US Speaker of the House to bring up HJRes17 - Congresswoman Jackie Speier’s bill to remove the extra-textual time limit on the ERA - next week! The plan is to hear it on Monday 3/15, if nothing else interferes, as that day is RBG’s birthday. And to our advantage, because the US House has a rule that a bill which has had a hearing in committee in a recent previous session does not have to go through that process again and can go directly to the House Floor, we may get a vote on this bill as early as Monday. The result of this action will put additional emphasis on getting POTUS (President of the United States) & the brand new White House Gender Policy Council to act on the ERA. That coupled with Merrick Garland’s nomination moving forward may get positive results out of the DOJ sooner rather than later to reverse the toxic Trump DOJ ‘opinion’ that stopped the Archivist from publishing the ERA. That’s good news all around! One further note: on the litigation the judge who ruled against the AG’s lawsuit left the door open on the ERA for Congressional action. So let’s make sure they get that time limit removed! One thing I know is that activists for the ERA never take No for an answer, but we can redirect our passion to federal action this week. You can use this ERA Coalition form to thank co-sponsors & to encourage those who are not on the bill yet to be co-sponsors of the federal ERA by signing up here: http://www.eracoalition.org/take-action/era-time-limit-removal-bills Now the bad news: I heard the final word from the MN House Judiciary Chair - something she signaled to many this week - that there simply was not room in committee to hear our bills before the first deadline today. This was due to time constraints and the pressure of passing a budget while dealing with the Covid pandemic and all while working under difficulties of for the first time holding Zoom remote committee meetings. Also there were delays in getting our bills out earlier because of internal snafus at the legislature, and late bill introductions due to remote working environments and abnormally slow Revisor’s office bill jacketing. I have heard from several of our MN House bill chief authors expressing their regret and readiness to charge ahead next year. In the MN Senate, there was no chance of action; though Sandy Pappas told me that, in her conversation with Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, he gave a hard no to this year but said “maybe’ next year. That was the most hopeful word we’re hear from him in 5 years. (I can’t tell you the disappointment I feel, but we will prevail.) But there is light at the end of the tunnel on the state ERA front: Judiciary Chair Becker-Finn is a supporter of the ERA and has promised to hear all of our bills next session - still in time for the state ERA to be added to the 2022 General Election ballot. That is good news indeed. AND - In the meantime, for our federal ERA Resolution to Congress push; Rep. Frank Hornstein is circulating a letter today - to garner signatures of as many legislators as he can - to send to Congress this coming Monday (3/15) asking our Congressional delegation to vote yes on HJRes17. He did not just look at what we can’t do, but looked for what we can do, and we applaud his initiative. This past week saw an extraordinary push from ERA activists on the state level and we should be very proud of the work we have done thus far. We lifted the banner of ERA in spite of extraordinary headwinds of a global pandemic. Now let’s see where we can get nationally this next week. Fabulous News! Progress toward equality just got a whole lot closer, with bipartisan co-sponsors having introduced ERA bills as “Day 1 Bills” in both the US House & the US Senate!
What this means is that these bills to remove the extra-textual time limit imposed on the ERA just became priority bills in both houses. We now have a pro-equality President, a pro-equality US House, and a pro-equality US Senate. Equality of rights under the law I have never been closer. Meanwhile, our primary push is to encourage the Biden Administration to pick up the phone and tell the Office of Legal Counsel to remove the previous Trump opinion that blocked the US Archivist from certifying the Equal Rights Amendment as the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. And ERA Minnesota is on amicus briefs for two major lawsuits to end the blockade put up by the previous administration. Great article in MinnPost about women in politics... A big finding of University of Virginia professor Jennifer Lawless’ work is that when women run for office they are just as likely as men to win their races. The offset is that they are so much less likely to run. [Read More]
This is a recorded Zoom presentation that Betty Folliard did for the Minneapolis AAUW.
ST PAUL, July 2, 2020 – ERA Minnesota (ERAMN) is proud to join an amicus brief on behalf of a national coalition of over 50 women's rights organizations to impel the US Archivist to certify the now-ratified Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
This amicus brief was filed on behalf of ERA Coalition, a national coalition of 76 member organizations of which ERA Minnesota is a Lead Organization, advocating for state and federal constitutional amendments to guarantee equal rights regardless of sex. The amicus brief was created by a team at Winston & Strawn Law Firm in Chicago spearheaded by Linda Coberly, managing partner at the firm and Chair of ERA Coalition's Legal Task Force. Now that the ERA has satisfied all constitutional requirements to formally ratify it into the US Constitution, this amicus brief argues that the arbitrary, extra-textual 7-year time frame imposed by Congress in 1972 should not prevent adoption as it does not have the power to alter provisions of the Constitution that govern amendments. "Thank you to the Attorneys General of Nevada, Illinois, & Virginia for authoring this litigation to ensure that the ERA is acknowledged as the 28th Amendment to the US Constitution," said Heather Allison, President of ERA Minnesota “The ERA is the most logical step to forming a more perfect union by including all in the founding document of our country.” “This litigation is supported by 23 Attorney’s General, major law firms, 93 major companies & corporations, and vast, diverse women’s rights organizations across the land,” said Betty Folliard, Founder of ERAMN; “and on the 100th Anniversary of women gaining the rights to vote, it’s high time to provide constitutional protections against sex discrimination.” Here is a complete list of participants in this amicus brief:
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