Live Event!

​#FacetheMusic4ERA

Wed, Aug 26  - 5 pm PT  |  7 pm CT  |  8 pm ET
The event was amazing with 100's of viewers!  Watch it now - click video to start!  For review of the evening - see below.  OR Watch it on Facebook.

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Quick overview of performers and speakers.  For more details - keep scrolling!

Kamala Lopez - Opening

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MC of #FaceTheMusic4ERA
Actress, filmmaker, activist and President of Heroica Films - Kamala Lopez has launched the movement and the film EQUAL MEANS EQUAL to educate Americans about the importance of equal rights under federal law for women. Born in New York City to an Indian mother and a Venezuelan father, Lopez has worked as an actor in over 30 feature films.

​Ms Lopez will act as the MC for the event.
Action Items
  1. Legislative 
    Call US Senators re: SJRes6 
    ​> ACT Now / National ERA
  2. Judicial
    Engage in litigation action for ERA
  3. Elections
    Elect Equality/VOTE EQUALITY!    ​ 
    > Vote for candidates who support the ERA
Links

Patricia Bahia & Ali Handal
Patricia Bahia & Ali Handal
Perform an "outdoorsy" live version of  "We Can Do It" - Women's Anthem

An award-winning songwriter, singer, cancer survivor, and lover of life, Patricia Bahia (pronounced Bah-HEE-yah) is a multi-dimensional artist who lives her bucket-list and inspires others to do the same.  

Moved early on by wise and resilient women, Ali Handal she became a singer-songwriter, guitarist and author. She unleashes sultry, groove-filled songs upon live audiences, setting the stage ablaze with fiery guitar passages and soulful lyrics delivered by her powerhouse voice.
Links

Pat Spearman
​Pat Spearman is a State Senator for Nevada.  Her background includes active military, School Board President, church Pastor, activist for education, LGBTQ rights, Equality, Criminal Justice Reform and much more.

She has her doctorate in Business Administration with a focus on Global Energy Rights.
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Speech Overview:
  • NV elected a majority of women and broke the 40-year logjam.
  • The ERA is intersectional, helps women of color by addressing the vast economic racial disparities.
  • Three emphases: Legislative, Judicial & Elections
Legislative Action Items
  1. Elect pro-ERA candidates
  2. Contact US Senators to support SJRes6​
  3.  ACT Now! National ERA
Links

Emily Ann Peterson
Emily Ann Peterson plays "Dr. Ford" 

Emily Ann has a wide background as a collaborative recording artist, performer, cellist, string-arranger, cello teacher, music/song writer, researcher (true meaning of bravery), author, teaching artist, consultant, founder School of Bravery and TEDx speaker.

Emily Ann's diagnosis of degenerative neurological hand tremor in 2013 changed her life path and took her to wonderful places she could never have expected...
Links

Steve Andersson
Steve Andersson is a Commissioner of Human Rights for the State of Illinois.  He is also an attorney and was a member of the Illinois House of Representatives (R) where he fought for and achieved ERA ratification for his state.  
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Speech Overview:
  • ​State of Illinois ratification of ERA in 2018 
  • Arguments why everyone regardless of party should support the ERA
Legislative Action Items
  1. Demand support of SJRes6 - ERA is non-partisan.
  2. Why all political parties must support ERA. 
  3. SJRes6 help: call your US Senators​
  4. ACT Now! National ERA
Links

Crys Matthews & Heather Mae
Crys Matthews and Heather Mae perform "American History XIX"

​Heather Mae, an award-winning songwriter whose evocative vocals and rhythmic piano style call to mind artists like Stevie Nicks and Sara Bareilles, creates intoxicating music that tackles complex topics surrounding mental health, LGBTQ+ issues, self-love, racial injustice, social inequality, and women’s rights.

A social justice music-maker and prolific lyricist, Crys Matthews blends Americana, folk, jazz, blues, bluegrass and funk into a bold, complex performance steeped in traditional melodies punctuated by honest, original lyrics. 
Links

Nile Rodgers
Nile Rodgers is a guitarist, singer-songwriter, record producer, arranger and composer. The co-founder of Chic, Rodgers has written, produced, and performed on albums that have cumulatively sold more than 500 million units and 75 million singles worldwide. He is a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, a three-time Grammy Award-winner, and the chairman of the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Rolling Stone wrote in 2014 that "the full scope of Nile Rodgers' career is still hard to fathom".
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Overview:
  • Importance of ensuring that women as a class have all the rights as men as a class.
  • All underserved people, regardless of gender & race, will benefit from the Equal Rights Amendment.
Election Action Items
  1. VOTE EQUALITY: know where candidates stand on the ERA, ensure only those in support are elected in the Fall
  2. Get Out The Vote and vote for Equality
  3. Registered? check  Vote.org
  4. ACT Now! National ERA
Links

Sshh
Liguz and Starkey perform "Extra, Extra" 

Singer/musician Sshh (Sharna) Liguz started her career playing with various bands in Australia.  Zak Starkey plays drums for The Who and previously played with Oasis, amongst others.  In 2006 Liguz and Starkey formed the group Pengu!ns/Penguins Rising, by 2011 it was just the duo - now named Sshh.  Here Liguz is a singer and Starkey is a guitarist.
Links ​

Betty Folliard
Betty Folliard is an accomplished activist, civic leader, business owner, actor, director, nonprofit leader, mother and strong voice for women.  She has used that voice as an activist, representative and radio host of her show "A Woman's Place" (2015-2017)

Her community service includes School Board Member, a Representative in the MN House, activist for the Equal Rights Amendment - currently leading ERA MN's fight for a National ERA.  
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Speech Overview:
  • Emphasize the 12 unratified states
  • Vote equality
  • Elect equality
Action Items
  1. Join state & national ERA organizations​ - add your name to build numbers to put pressure on our legislators
  2. Vote/Elect Equality
  3. ACT Now! National ERA
Links

Sean Lennon & Charlotte Kemp
​Lennon &  Kemp perform "Dark Matter White Noise"

Sean Lennon is musician, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist. Over the course of his career, he has been a member of the bands  Cibo Matto, the Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger, the Claypool Lennon Delirium and the Plastic Ono Band. 

Charlotte Kemp is a singer, songwriter, writer, model and film director.  She and Lennon form The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger (GOASTT)
Links

Bettina Hager

Bettina Hager is the DC Director and COO of the ERA Coalition and Fund for Women’s Equality. She previously served as the co-Chair of the Equal Rights Amendment Task Force of the National Council of Women’s Organizations and has been helping lead the movement for constitutional equality since 2012.
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Speech Overview:
  • ERA Coalition
  • Amicus Brief: Brief asks the Court to hold that a time limit cannot stand in the way of the Equal Rights Amendment, which now meets all the Constitutional Requirements for Amending the Constitution.
  • VA, IL & NV (last three states to ratify)  have litigation against the nation's archivist, David Ferriero, to publish the ERA.
* Amicus briefs are legal documents filed in appellate court cases by non-litigants with a strong interest in the subject matter. The briefs advise the court of relevant, additional information or arguments that the court might wish to consider.
Judicial Action Items
  1. ​Amicus briefs* supporting the ERA 
  2. ​VA, IL, & NV Litigation
  3. What activists can do...
Links

Kamala Lopez
Actress, filmmaker, activist and President of Heroica Films - Kamala Lopez has launched the movement and the film EQUAL MEANS EQUAL to educate Americans about the importance of equal rights under federal law for women.

Lopez formed her production company Heroica Films in 1995 with the mission to write, direct and produce media for women, about women and utilizing women both in front and behind the camera.

Speech Overview:
  • Equal Means Equal (EME) video premier
  • EME litigation: The lawsuit argues that congressionally imposed deadlines for states to ratify the ERA are unconstitutional and called on the courts to compel the Archivist of the United States to officially record ERA as the 28th amendment to the Constitution. It also calls on the courts to reject attempts by states to rescind their prior ratifications of the ERA.
Judicial Action Items
  1. Legislative: Call US Senators re: SJRes6 
    ​> ACT Now! National ERA
  2. Judicial: Engage in litigation action for ERA
  3. Elections: Elect Equality/VOTE EQUALITY!​
Links ​

Nancy Sanchez
Nancy Sanchez performs "Say Something"

Nancy Sanchez is a natural songwriter and performer. She is also an award winning Jazz vocalist. Born in Toluca Mexico, then making her home in the United States as a young girl, her music is a reflection of two cultures. You will hear elements of Mexican Folkloric, Jazz, Latin Alternative and pop when you listen to her music.
Links

Jennifer McClellan
Jennifer McClellan has earned a reputation as an effective, constituent services-oriented legislator, representing the greater Richmond area for 11 years in the House of Delegates and 4 years in the Senate. Jenn also serves as Vice Chair of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus. As the first House member to be pregnant while in office, she has been a fierce protector of women’s reproductive rights, children, and families.
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Speech Overview:
  • State of Virginia is part of federal ERA litigation in the DC court declaring ERA the 28th Amendment to the constitution.
  • Mention EME Lawsuit against Trump Administration
  • Mention 20 other state AG’s , cities, govs, & corporations
Judicial Action Items
  1. Have your organization join an amicus brief
  2. Find out if your state is on an ERA Amicus Brief (see link below)
  3. Call your governor & AG if they aren’t on briefs and tell them to join.
  4. ​ACT Now! National ERA
Links

Freddy Herrera

Freddy Herrera is an accomplished bassist.  He was a member of the Exies from 1997 to 2009.  In 2009 he joined everclear and has been with them ever since.

Testimonial:  Freddy understands the importance of the Equal Rights Amendment as a dad to his new baby daughter and the world she'll grow up in!
Links

Art Alexakis
Art Alexakis performs "Santa Monica"

Art Alexakis is a singer-songwriter and guitarist. He has been a member of several notable bands, been a songwriter for other artists and founded several record labels.  He formed the band everclear in 1991 and continues to be the lead songwriter, vocalist and guitarist.  He has also recently put out his first solo album "Sun Songs".

Alexakis is also an activist, supporting causes such as drug awareness policies and families of the military.  Now, with a wife and 2 daughters, maybe ERA?
Links

Danica Roem
Danica Roem worked as a journalist for 10.5 years before running for office in 2016.  She was elected to the Virginia House of Delegate in 2018 (and incidentally - became the  first openly transgender woman elected and seated to a state legislature).

She uses her skills as a reporter to really listen to and understand her constituents; and has a goal of being a changemaker and consensus builder.

Speech Overview:
  • ​ERA is for All Y’All.
  • How the LGBTQIA community would benefit with an ERA
  • Are you fired up?
Election Action Items
  1. ​VOTE EQUALITY: know where candidates stand on the ERA, ensure only those in support are elected in the Fall
  2. Vote Equality and hold candidates feet to the fire to champion the ERA
  3. ACT Now! National ERA
Links

Cathy Richardson
Cathy Richardson sings "It's About Time"

Cathy joined Jefferson Starship in 2008, and anchors the historic role made famous by Grace Slick. Her credits include fronting her own bands (CRB, Macrodots and Nelson Street Revival) - producing and releasing seven independent albums. She was nominated for a GRAMMY Award for Art Direction of Cathy Richardson Band’s 2003 release, The Road to Bliss. She starred as Janis Joplin in the original Off Broadway cast of Love, Janis 
Links ​

Jennifer Carroll Foy
Jennifer Carroll Foy is a graduate of Virginia Military Institute, she went on to get her masters degree and law degree.  Her first job was as a magistrate judge, then a public defender and currently is in the VA House of Representatives.  

In 2020 Jennifer advanced a pro-woman, pro-labor, and pro-environment agenda, and was the chief sponsor of the Equal Rights Amendment.

Speech Overview:
  • ​When VA ratified in January, the ERA became the 28th Amendment according to all requirements laid out in the US Constitution
Elections Action Items
  1. VOTE EQUALITY: know where candidates stand on the ERA, ensure only those in support are elected in the Fall
  2. Demand Equality. 
  3. VOTE EQUALITY on November 3rd, if not sooner!
  4. Let’s all together make the ERA the 28th Amendment​
  5. ACT Now! National ERA
Links
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Kamala Lopez - Wrap Up

Thanks to the Artists, Speakers, all of our Sponsors, and the people who made this happen. Let's fight for equality on all three fronts - legislative, judicial & the elections.

Hope you enjoyed #FaceTheMusic4ERA, now let’s finish the job!
Action Items
  1. Legislative 
    Call US Senators re: SJRes6 
    ​> ACT Now! National ERA
  2. Judicial
    Engage in litigation action for ERA
  3. Elections
    Elect Equality/VOTE EQUALITY!    ​ 
    > Vote for candidates who support the ERA
Links

ERA Bracelet Info

Show the world what you stand for with jewelry that makes a statement!  Let people know you are in favor of ERA=Equality for All! 

​Use it as a conversation starter to educate people that "No, we do not have an Equal Rights Amendment in the United States of America!"  Which 76% of the people think we have.  These silver or gold bracelets are made by Bird & Stone in Rhode Island in family owned factories.

Buy 2 for FREE shipping!
Action Items​
  1. Buy your bracelet now!
  2. Buy another as a gift!
  3. Use it to educate others 
Links

Credits... End of Show
A huge thank you to Pete Kronowitt and his team at Face the Music Collective, Kamala Lopez and the Equal Means Equal crew, and the Virginia folks who made this all happen.  We could not have done it without you!         ~ ERA MN