Writing Letters & Making Phone Calls

To your Reps:
Here are some templates/examples for making phone calls and writing letters to your representatives in the House and Senate:
Phone Script

Hello.  I'm a constituent of _(Senator or Representative’s Name)_. 

I support an amendment to the Minnesota Constitution to guarantee gender equality, and I would like to know if my representative does too?  
Wait for answer, explain further if questioned, explain why you support it.

Will ______________ vote in favor of a constitutional amendment for gender equality to be on the ballot in 2020?  

If yes: Can we list him/her as a supporter?

Thank you.”   
Be prepared to give your name and address for them to know that you actually are a constituent.
Letter 

Dear Senator/Representative____________,

Are you aware that equality between men and women isn't explicitly stated in our state or federal Constitutions?  I wasn't. Like more than 75% of Americans, I thought women and men were already guaranteed equality in the Constitution.

But both women and men are still discriminated against based on sex: white women still get paid only 80 cents on the dollar and men are still discriminated against in child custody cases. If we value equality, shouldn't it be enshrined with our other governing principles in the Minnesota Constitution?

Like 94% of Americans, I think that women and men SHOULD be equal in our constitution and that's why I am urging you to support an Equal Rights Amendment in the Minnesota Constitution.

I support the ERA because (Fill in your own personal reason or use the example here) I believe that by passing the ERA, Minnesotans can show that we value equality between men and women. I want to raise my children in a state that actively shows they care that men and women are treated equally.

Will you stand up for equality and support the ERA being put on the ballot in 2020 for the people of Minnesota to decide?

Sincerely,
Your Signature
Type Your Name/Address
Letter to the Editor / Op Ed Piece
Writing a letter to the editor is a great way to spread the word even further than you close friends and neighbors -- reach the whole community with a letter to your local paper.
​Tips on writing Letters to the Editor

  1. Always, always, always pay attention to length requirements by the newspaper. Generally speaking, short and sweet is preferred. Try for 250 words or less.
  2. Make it relevant. Your letter will be more likely to be printed and read if its related to something going on in the news or in your community.
  3. Include a call to action. What do you want people to do because of your letter? Find out more? Visit a website? Call their legislator? Pick one and make sure its included.
  4. See sample for ideas, examples...
​Sample Letter to the Editor:
 
To the Editor:
 
Nick Coleman's Sept. 19th article ("Women face challenges, but who cares?") was right on the mark, but missed one important solution. An equal rights amendment to our state constitution would be one giant step forward in making sure that these issues are addressed--both by the courts and in our culture.
 
Women still face discrimination in our courts, pay inequity and multitudes of cultural inequality. We need to work on changing our culture, but we also need our elected officials to make sure that gender equality is the law of the land. One of the best ways to see if candidates are going to work for women when they get into office is to ask them if they will support a Minnesota Constitutional Amendment for Equality. Ask the candidates if they, like 91% of Americans, believe that gender equality should be enshrined in our constitution.
 
We still need an equal rights amendment, and we can start with Minnesota. To find out more about why we especially need an equal rights amendment, visit www.eramn.org. Somethings are important enough to put in writing.
 
Your name
Your city