Dear JOhn

Thanks to tireless grassroots activism we are headed into 2020 with Virginia on the verge of ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment. Equality Now supported activists across the state to inform people, change their minds, and help usher in a much more ERA-friendly state General Assembly. And, it worked!

Grassroots activism works, and not just in Virginia.

That’s why this weekend we were in Utah, to stand in solidarity with local organizers as they came out against stiff religious and political opposition to putting women in the U.S. Constitution. Activists gathered in Temple Square in Salt Lake City for a “Caroling for Equality” action. 

Generva Prothero lives in Syracuse, Utah a town she describes as unwelcome to outspoken women. She sees the ERA as critical to changing the culture in her home her state. “I need this. My moms need this. My sons need this. Even though I’m nervous to protest, I wouldn’t have missed this event for the world.”

Utah has a rich history with the ERA, and women’s rights more broadly. While the first woman to vote in any American election was Utahn Seraph Young, Utah is also consistently ranked the worst state for women. The Mormon Church has taken an active stand against the ERA, which means that equality activists have had to be creative and adaptive in their advocacy.  

Want to learn more about the fascinating and complex fight for the ERA in Utah?

On January 8th you’ll be able to! Just subscribe to the new podcast, Ordinary Equality, from Equality Now and Wonder Media Network, hosted by--me!

Together, we can make equality reality

As we get closer to the 38th state ratifying the ERA, the opposition increases their efforts to keep equality out of the U.S. Constitution. It is critical that we stand with state activists and keep up the momentum at the federal level, and ensure that Congress removes any barriers to the ERA becoming part of the Constitution, so the rights of women and other marginalized genders are fully and permanently protected.

In solidarity,

Kate Kelly

Human Rights Attorney

Equality Now