What Killed Equal Rights?

A ten-year struggle teaches American women the art of politics

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 sounds simple, just and long overdue. But last Wednesday, ten years after it was passed by Congress, the proposed Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution died, three states shy of the 38 needed for ratification.

The ERA "is dead for now and forever in this century," said a joyous Phyllis Schlafly, the amendment's leading foe, at a press conference in Washington. There was no conciliatory gesture to ERA backers, whom she termed "con men" and "vicious people."

Schlafly and her supporters celebrated at a balloon-festooned Over-the-Rainbow party, where the 1,400 guests pledged allegiance to the flag and listened to some 30 victory speeches. Said Conservative Digest Editor John Lofton: "I salute you fellows for doing to the ERA what Menachem Begin is doing to the P.L.O." And they applauded "special service" awards given to outstanding ERA opponents, among them the Rev. Jerry Falwell, Under Secretary of State James Buckley and Senator Jesse Helms.

The amendment's backers marked the day less festively. At rededication rallies around the country, they pledged to continue the fight. In Washington's Lafayette Square, Eleanor Smeal, president of the National Organization for Women, told a crowd of 2,000: "We are ending this campaign stronger than we began. We are a majority. We are determined to play majority politics .. . We are not going to be reduced again to the ladies' auxiliary." A new ratification effort will begin July 14, when at least 157 Representatives and 46 Senators will reintroduce the amendment to Congress.

ERA supporters vowed vengeance for the amendment's defeat. The National Women's Political Caucus issued a "dirty dozen" list of state legislators, all male, who "roadblocked the Equal Rights Amendment." More constructively, they pledged to elect women to office in far greater numbers. Said Goucher College Student Anna Maria Halkousis: "In America, over half the population is female, but we are not the better half and not even the other half. In government, we are still the missing half."

The ratification effort failed despite widespread support.