One more state. Not one more generation.
North Carolina has historic chance to secure equal rights for all with ERA
Legislators will file bills in the North Carolina General Assembly House and Senate on March 5 to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. North Carolina has the historic opportunity to become the 38th — and final — state necessary to ratify the ERA.
The Equal Rights Amendment supports families at every level.
– Rep. Carla Cunningham
Legislators will hold a press conference at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 5, in the Press Room, 1300 quadrant, in the General Assembly building, 16 W. Jones St., Raleigh.
“The Equal Rights Amendment supports families at every level,” said Rep. Carla Cunningham, lead House sponsor of the bill. “Wage inequity means both men and women must work longer hours to feed their families. Pregnancy discrimination means women can be fired for requesting a bathroom break or to refrain from heavy lifting. Domestic violence laws mean police are not compelled to enforce restraining orders. The ERA would make it possible for women AND men to support their families financially, with the peace and dignity every family deserves.”
With 24 words, the ERA would provide that “Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.”
It’s time. Past time to ratify the ERA and North Carolina is the state to carry it across the finish line.
– Sen. Floyd B. McKissick, Jr.
The ERA, written by Alice Paul, was first introduced in the U.S. Congress in 1923. It passed both houses in 1972 and was sent to the states for ratification. By 1982, 35 of the required 38 states ratified. In March 2017, Nevada became the 36th state, soon followed by Illinois in 2018.
“We’re filing these bills in honor of Women’s History Month and in honor of the legions of women and men who have fought for equality throughout the centuries, starting with Abigail Adams,” said Sen. Floyd B. McKissick, Jr. “It’s time. Past time to ratify the ERA and North Carolina is the state to carry it across the finish line.”
Nearly a century after the ERA’s first filing, North Carolina enjoys widespread nonpartisan support for the equal rights of men and women under the Constitution. Co-sponsors from both the Republican and Democratic parties are expected to sign on to the bills.
We have waited far too long for our constitution to uphold gender equality.
– Rep. Julie von Haefen
“I am very proud to co-sponsor the ERA bill in the House, an important bill that would ratify the Equal Rights Amendment to the United States Constitution and guarantee that constitutional rights are held equally by all citizens without regard to sex,” said Rep. Julie von Haefen. “The Equal Rights Amendment would prohibit sex-based discrimination and affirm that women and men are to be treated equally under the law. We have waited far too long for our constitution to uphold gender equality. Now is the time for North Carolina to stand for equal rights for all of its citizens.”
One more state… Not one more generation.
– Marena Groll, co-president of the ERA-NC Alliance
“The ERA puts the conversation about family front and center,” said Marena Groll, co-president of the ERA-NC Alliance. “Moms and dads shouldn’t be working longer and longer hours to make up for lost wages, and pregnant women need the kinds of protections that other workers have. One more state. Not one more generation.”
The ERA-NC Alliance is a non-partisan, non-profit organization seeking ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. constitution. Membership is open to individuals and organizations committed to ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment. Lead organizations include the American Association of University Women of NC, Democratic Women of NC, League of Women Voters of NC, NC4ERA, NC Business and Professional Women, NC National Organization for Women, NC Women United, Ratify ERA NC, Women AdvaNCe, WomenNC, the Women’s Forum of NC, and the YWCA of Asheville. The Alliance operates in direct collaboration with the national ERA Coalition.
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