Don't Call Me "Girl"!
I am so sick of being called "girl" and hearing other grown women called "girl" that I'd almost prefer the old, outworn phrase "little woman". Just when you think a term has gone out of style, it comes back in its original form. Use your cell-phone-thing to count the times in one day that you hear grown women referred to as "girls". You'll find the word has become a staple of television and movies. Note too how the term reduces the value of the woman.
Years ago, a married woman was referred to as "the little woman", the "little lady", the "lady of the house", and a few other things I won't mention in polite company. All of these terms, of course, diminish the role that the "little woman" plays in the home — as cook, launderer, cleaning lady, child-bearer, teacher, nurse, confidante, counselor, purveyor of sexual favors, accountant, and holder of the TV remote.
Wouldn't you think that things would change, now that women are flying to outer space in rockets, running banks and colleges, governing cities and states, catching felons, commanding jet airliners, and other such things once defined as "men's work"? But things have not changed. Even today, women earn less than men; are restricted from certain jobs (in certain companies); have never led the country as President or Vice President; and are under-represented in the courts, legislatures, councils, and government management.
What bothers me most is that young women, especially those under 30, have few clues about how their mothers and grandmothers were treated — back in the olden days of the early 20th century. Less than 50 years ago, women were moved out of teaching jobs when they became pregnant (if they were even allowed to teach as a married woman). "Pregnant" was a word banned from movies, radio, and the then-budding-television. Women could not buy big ticket items (house, car, boat, business) without a husband, brother, or father to co-sign. Women couldn't even buy insurance for themselves. Their work was stuck at the bottom of the economic pyramid: clerk, typist, teacher, nurse, teller, or restaurant server (once called "waitress"). An "acceptable business" for a woman (usually a widow) included taking in laundry, or operating a beauty shop, dress shop, or millinery.
Next time someone refers to you, or some other female over 14 years, as "girl", give them a chilling stare and then a lecture on manners. Save the "girl" label for underage females. the rest of us are "women". Or don't you remember Helen Reddy's famous song, "I Am Woman!" or Sojourner Truth's famous poem, "Ain't I a Woman?"
Passage of the Equal Rights Amendment won't fix all these ailments, but it will go a long way to giving pause for reflection about the status and value of women in the good old U.S.A.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Friday, June 15, 2007
U.S. Still Doesn't Provide Rights for Women? Naaah, couldn't be!
Can you remember the “reasons to quash the ERA” that were put forth during consideration of the Amendment thirty years ago? Here are just a few!
“The ERA will force women to serve in the army.” (The word “force” has been replaced by “allow” — much to the appreciation of many of the women who now proudly serve in all branches of the armed forces.)
“The ERA will make all bathrooms unisex.” (As if the bathroom in your home isn’t already unisex!)
“The ERA will allow women to use abortion as birth control.” (Your daughter has just been raped and may be pregnant. Your sister just discovered she is pregnant, two months after her husband was sent to prison for beating her. Your wife is approaching menopause and finds herself “with child.” Thank your lucky stars that abortion is still — mostly — legal in this country.)
“The ERA is a communist move to take over the government.” (No comment!)
Wouldn’t we be embarrassed if the U.S. elected a woman as President without an Equal Rights Amendment in its Constitution?
“The ERA will force women to serve in the army.” (The word “force” has been replaced by “allow” — much to the appreciation of many of the women who now proudly serve in all branches of the armed forces.)
“The ERA will make all bathrooms unisex.” (As if the bathroom in your home isn’t already unisex!)
“The ERA will allow women to use abortion as birth control.” (Your daughter has just been raped and may be pregnant. Your sister just discovered she is pregnant, two months after her husband was sent to prison for beating her. Your wife is approaching menopause and finds herself “with child.” Thank your lucky stars that abortion is still — mostly — legal in this country.)
“The ERA is a communist move to take over the government.” (No comment!)
Wouldn’t we be embarrassed if the U.S. elected a woman as President without an Equal Rights Amendment in its Constitution?
Saturday, June 9, 2007
What Can I Do?
If you live in one of the following states, contact your state representative and ask for their position in the ratification process: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah, and Virginia.
Six of the states: Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, and Missouri have begun the ratification process. Here’s an update:
ARKANSAS:
Berta Seitz is the ERA Campaign Network Arkansas coordinator and is putting together a large coalition of organizations. Three of the four candidates for governor (election in November 2007) have endorsed the ERA. To help (particularly if you are an Arkansas resident who could help lobby legislators), contact Berta Seitz, BSeitz@fayar.net or phone 479-442-6256.
ARIZONA:
Kathy Kelly, ERA Campaign Network Arizona Coordinator, was set to introduce the ERA ratification bill in the state House of Representatives in January 2007. To help, contact Kathy Kelly, 602-690-1038.
FLORIDA:
Sandy Oestreich, ERA Campaign Network Florida Coordinator, also heads the Florida Equal Rights Alliance. Both the Florida House and Senate Judiciary Committees held onto the bill during the 2007 March-April session. Much work remains to be done to bring the matter to the floor. A petition drive and Letters To The Editor campaign are part of the current efforts. Former Congressional Representative Patricia Schroeder chairs the Alliance Board, speaks, and writes an ERA newspaper column in Florida. To participate in the excitement in Florida, see the Alliance website: www.RatifyERAflorida.net. To help, contact Sandy Oestreich, SandyJOestreich@cs.com; phone 727-393-0932.
ILLINOIS:
Emily Battin is the ERA Campaign Network Illinois coordinator, is looking to passage in the 2007-08 session. Illinois requires a three-fifths vote of both houses to ratify federal amendment resolutions (rather than the usual simple majority). To help, contact Emily Battin by email: emily1@consolidated.net, phone: 217-229-3754.
LOUISIANA:
Plans were underway by the Louisiana ERA Coalition to introduce the ratification bill in the spring 2007 session. Help contact info is on the way. Do you know what’s happening in Louisiana?
MISSOURI:
Shirley Breeze, ERA Campaign Network Missouri Coordinator, also chairs the Missouri Women’s Network. The ERA ratification bill was introduced in the 2007 session, had a hearing in the Senate Committee, but no action was taken. Because Missouri bills must be re-filed each year, legislation will have to wait until January 2008. To help, contact Shirley Breeze, sbreeze@mindspring.com, or phone: 314-831-5359.
Six of the states: Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, and Missouri have begun the ratification process. Here’s an update:
ARKANSAS:
Berta Seitz is the ERA Campaign Network Arkansas coordinator and is putting together a large coalition of organizations. Three of the four candidates for governor (election in November 2007) have endorsed the ERA. To help (particularly if you are an Arkansas resident who could help lobby legislators), contact Berta Seitz, BSeitz@fayar.net or phone 479-442-6256.
ARIZONA:
Kathy Kelly, ERA Campaign Network Arizona Coordinator, was set to introduce the ERA ratification bill in the state House of Representatives in January 2007. To help, contact Kathy Kelly, 602-690-1038.
FLORIDA:
Sandy Oestreich, ERA Campaign Network Florida Coordinator, also heads the Florida Equal Rights Alliance. Both the Florida House and Senate Judiciary Committees held onto the bill during the 2007 March-April session. Much work remains to be done to bring the matter to the floor. A petition drive and Letters To The Editor campaign are part of the current efforts. Former Congressional Representative Patricia Schroeder chairs the Alliance Board, speaks, and writes an ERA newspaper column in Florida. To participate in the excitement in Florida, see the Alliance website: www.RatifyERAflorida.net. To help, contact Sandy Oestreich, SandyJOestreich@cs.com; phone 727-393-0932.
ILLINOIS:
Emily Battin is the ERA Campaign Network Illinois coordinator, is looking to passage in the 2007-08 session. Illinois requires a three-fifths vote of both houses to ratify federal amendment resolutions (rather than the usual simple majority). To help, contact Emily Battin by email: emily1@consolidated.net, phone: 217-229-3754.
LOUISIANA:
Plans were underway by the Louisiana ERA Coalition to introduce the ratification bill in the spring 2007 session. Help contact info is on the way. Do you know what’s happening in Louisiana?
MISSOURI:
Shirley Breeze, ERA Campaign Network Missouri Coordinator, also chairs the Missouri Women’s Network. The ERA ratification bill was introduced in the 2007 session, had a hearing in the Senate Committee, but no action was taken. Because Missouri bills must be re-filed each year, legislation will have to wait until January 2008. To help, contact Shirley Breeze, sbreeze@mindspring.com, or phone: 314-831-5359.
Friday, June 8, 2007
Why is the Equal Rights Amendment Important?
Look around! If you are a woman, you face a subtle kind of discrimination every day. In the workplace, your salary may not be commensurate with the work you do — or the pay received by men doing the same job. You may be called names: honey, sugar, dear (by strangers or by other workers). You may be made to feel that you are required to apply gobs of makeup and wear bone-crushing shoes to do your job “appropriately”.
As a woman, you may feel out of place in gatherings where “suits” prevail. You also may feel left out when you see photos of the Supreme Court, the state and federal legislatures, gatherings of mayors and governors, business meetings, sporting events, and listings of the Fortune 500. (Many golf courses still specify “Ladies Day” and many saloons feature “Ladies Night”!)
More importantly, women need constitutional affirmation — to know that terms such as “liberty and justice for all,” “equal justice under the law,” “government of the people, by the people, and for the people,” and especially “all men are created equal” apply to you — a woman!
THE LAW
By placing this amendment in the constitution, courts would feel the onus to treat women as equal citizens under the law. The ERA would influence the law in lower courts as well as Supreme Court decisions — there would be justification for treatment of women in discrimination cases as forcefully as race discrimination is currently protected (as a result of the 15th Amendment).
In today’s culture, a kind of whiplash effect is taking place in the area of sex discrimination. Conservative politicians are moving toward removing many of the protective legislation concerning women in attempts to return women to the roles of yesteryear (in the kitchen, bedroom, and nursery).
All this at a time when governing documents of many other nations of the world already affirm the legal equality of the sexes (even in Japan and Iraq where constitutions were created under the direction of the United States).
THE TIME IS NOW
Furthermore, the ERA is needed because it is time. In the 21st century, women’s only rights underscored in the U.S. Constitution involve the right to vote. Women need the protection of their rights to equal education, fair paychecks, political and economic opportunities, and freedom from violence. Women also need the freedom to pursue their own “happiness” without having to fight every step of the way — politically, economically, and judicially.
As soon as women and men can work side by side without concern for basic issues of human rights, the sooner the energies of both women and men can be merged to face the challenges of the day. Yes — men and women are different, in many ways. Wouldn’t it make sound strategy to meld the differences to make a much stronger force in the progress of civilization in the 21st century?
As a woman, you may feel out of place in gatherings where “suits” prevail. You also may feel left out when you see photos of the Supreme Court, the state and federal legislatures, gatherings of mayors and governors, business meetings, sporting events, and listings of the Fortune 500. (Many golf courses still specify “Ladies Day” and many saloons feature “Ladies Night”!)
More importantly, women need constitutional affirmation — to know that terms such as “liberty and justice for all,” “equal justice under the law,” “government of the people, by the people, and for the people,” and especially “all men are created equal” apply to you — a woman!
THE LAW
By placing this amendment in the constitution, courts would feel the onus to treat women as equal citizens under the law. The ERA would influence the law in lower courts as well as Supreme Court decisions — there would be justification for treatment of women in discrimination cases as forcefully as race discrimination is currently protected (as a result of the 15th Amendment).
In today’s culture, a kind of whiplash effect is taking place in the area of sex discrimination. Conservative politicians are moving toward removing many of the protective legislation concerning women in attempts to return women to the roles of yesteryear (in the kitchen, bedroom, and nursery).
All this at a time when governing documents of many other nations of the world already affirm the legal equality of the sexes (even in Japan and Iraq where constitutions were created under the direction of the United States).
THE TIME IS NOW
Furthermore, the ERA is needed because it is time. In the 21st century, women’s only rights underscored in the U.S. Constitution involve the right to vote. Women need the protection of their rights to equal education, fair paychecks, political and economic opportunities, and freedom from violence. Women also need the freedom to pursue their own “happiness” without having to fight every step of the way — politically, economically, and judicially.
As soon as women and men can work side by side without concern for basic issues of human rights, the sooner the energies of both women and men can be merged to face the challenges of the day. Yes — men and women are different, in many ways. Wouldn’t it make sound strategy to meld the differences to make a much stronger force in the progress of civilization in the 21st century?
Whatever Happened to the ERA?
Whatever Happened to the ERA?
Ask anyone: what ever happened to the ERA? And you get a blank stare or an "I don't know," or "Huh?" What's happened is the Equal Rights Amendment that was close to ratification in 1978 has been all but forgotten.
Other common responses are: "The ERA was passed a long time ago." Or, "What's the ERA?" In a recent 7-question survey, college students — even some in Women's Studies classes — couldn't answer them all correctly.
TAKE THIS QUIZ (Dare yah!)
Here are the questions — just seven of them. How do you fare?
1. What does ERA stand for, as it pertains to women? a) Education Rights Amendment; b) Equal Rights Amendment; c) Economic Recovery Act; d) Equal Rights Act.
2. The ERA was first proposed in: a) 1923; b) 1945; c) 1978; d) 1982.
3. The ERA was made into law in a) 1923; b) 1945; c) 1978; d) 1982.
4. The ERA was ratified by a) 33 states; b) 35 states; c) 38 states; d) all 50 states.
5. The rights of women are clearly protected a) in the U.S. Constitution; b) in the new Iraq Constitution; c) in the Bill of Rights; d) in the Women's Rights Act of 1975.
6. The 14th Amendment a) assures women's rights in the Constitution b) provides voting privileges for "all citizens;" c) excludes women by reference to "voting males;" d) was written by a woman.
7. In the U.S. Constitution a) the rights of women are not spelled out; b) the words "citizens" and "persons" are not meant to apply to women and blacks; c) separate amendments were necessary to secure the vote for women and blacks; d) all of the above
After you check the right answers (below), you'll know that ERA stands for the Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution of the U.S., that it was first proposed in 1923 by Alice Paul, and that it was never added to the Constitution because it fell short of ratification by three states. You'll also realize that the rights of women in Iraq are protected by its new constitution. What you may not realize is that women's rights are protected in just about every democratic country in the free world — except the United States.
The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution clearly excludes women by reference to "voting males," thereby opening the door to renewing the ratification process interrupted in 1978. Another precedent of law involves the Madison Amendment, the 27th of the Constitution, which was finally ratified in the 1990s after lying dormant for 203 years.
The final question clarifies the current status of women's rights in the U.S. They are not protected under the U.S. Constitution. The words "citizens" and "persons" are not meant to apply to women and blacks (slavery was abolished through the 15th Amendment).
The shame lies with the women of the U.S. who have been compliant in letting this oversight continue, by not demanding that their rights be spelled out in the Constitution. And shame on the country as a whole, a nation considered the leader of the democratic free world, for insisting on human rights around the world while omitting them at home.
Six states have bills in the hopper to ratify the ERA Amendment and make it law — Florida, Arizona, Missouri, Louisiana, Illinois and Arkansas. If those fail, there are 9 other states that have not ratified the amendment as yet (Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Utah, and Virginia).
Three bills also are in the works in the U.S. Congress. In December 2005, Senator Edward Kennedy reintroduced the ERA (as S.J.Res.7) in the Senate; Representative Carolyn Maloney reintroduced it (as H.J.Res.37) in the House of Representatives. In addition, Representative Robert Andrews reintroduced the resolution (as H.Res.155) requiring the House to take any legislative action necessary to verify that the addition of three more state ratifications will fulfill the requirements to add the ERA to the U.S. Constitution.
In other words, the path is clear to seek ratification now and add this amendment covering the rights of women to the U.S. Constitution. The Equal Rights Amendment is one of those pesky items that has been pushed to the backburner and nearly forgotten. With the world in turmoil, fighting over rights of human beings, the time seems right.
Contact your congressional representatives in Washington and urge them to get down to work and take care of this small but very important housekeeping detail. If you live in a state that has yet to ratify the amendment, contact representatives and urge ratification as soon as possible.
[Answers: 1-b; 2-a; 3-none; 4-b; 5-b; 6-c; 7-d.]
Ask anyone: what ever happened to the ERA? And you get a blank stare or an "I don't know," or "Huh?" What's happened is the Equal Rights Amendment that was close to ratification in 1978 has been all but forgotten.
Other common responses are: "The ERA was passed a long time ago." Or, "What's the ERA?" In a recent 7-question survey, college students — even some in Women's Studies classes — couldn't answer them all correctly.
TAKE THIS QUIZ (Dare yah!)
Here are the questions — just seven of them. How do you fare?
1. What does ERA stand for, as it pertains to women? a) Education Rights Amendment; b) Equal Rights Amendment; c) Economic Recovery Act; d) Equal Rights Act.
2. The ERA was first proposed in: a) 1923; b) 1945; c) 1978; d) 1982.
3. The ERA was made into law in a) 1923; b) 1945; c) 1978; d) 1982.
4. The ERA was ratified by a) 33 states; b) 35 states; c) 38 states; d) all 50 states.
5. The rights of women are clearly protected a) in the U.S. Constitution; b) in the new Iraq Constitution; c) in the Bill of Rights; d) in the Women's Rights Act of 1975.
6. The 14th Amendment a) assures women's rights in the Constitution b) provides voting privileges for "all citizens;" c) excludes women by reference to "voting males;" d) was written by a woman.
7. In the U.S. Constitution a) the rights of women are not spelled out; b) the words "citizens" and "persons" are not meant to apply to women and blacks; c) separate amendments were necessary to secure the vote for women and blacks; d) all of the above
After you check the right answers (below), you'll know that ERA stands for the Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution of the U.S., that it was first proposed in 1923 by Alice Paul, and that it was never added to the Constitution because it fell short of ratification by three states. You'll also realize that the rights of women in Iraq are protected by its new constitution. What you may not realize is that women's rights are protected in just about every democratic country in the free world — except the United States.
The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution clearly excludes women by reference to "voting males," thereby opening the door to renewing the ratification process interrupted in 1978. Another precedent of law involves the Madison Amendment, the 27th of the Constitution, which was finally ratified in the 1990s after lying dormant for 203 years.
The final question clarifies the current status of women's rights in the U.S. They are not protected under the U.S. Constitution. The words "citizens" and "persons" are not meant to apply to women and blacks (slavery was abolished through the 15th Amendment).
The shame lies with the women of the U.S. who have been compliant in letting this oversight continue, by not demanding that their rights be spelled out in the Constitution. And shame on the country as a whole, a nation considered the leader of the democratic free world, for insisting on human rights around the world while omitting them at home.
Six states have bills in the hopper to ratify the ERA Amendment and make it law — Florida, Arizona, Missouri, Louisiana, Illinois and Arkansas. If those fail, there are 9 other states that have not ratified the amendment as yet (Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Utah, and Virginia).
Three bills also are in the works in the U.S. Congress. In December 2005, Senator Edward Kennedy reintroduced the ERA (as S.J.Res.7) in the Senate; Representative Carolyn Maloney reintroduced it (as H.J.Res.37) in the House of Representatives. In addition, Representative Robert Andrews reintroduced the resolution (as H.Res.155) requiring the House to take any legislative action necessary to verify that the addition of three more state ratifications will fulfill the requirements to add the ERA to the U.S. Constitution.
In other words, the path is clear to seek ratification now and add this amendment covering the rights of women to the U.S. Constitution. The Equal Rights Amendment is one of those pesky items that has been pushed to the backburner and nearly forgotten. With the world in turmoil, fighting over rights of human beings, the time seems right.
Contact your congressional representatives in Washington and urge them to get down to work and take care of this small but very important housekeeping detail. If you live in a state that has yet to ratify the amendment, contact representatives and urge ratification as soon as possible.
[Answers: 1-b; 2-a; 3-none; 4-b; 5-b; 6-c; 7-d.]
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