ERAmerica explained

ERAmerica was a coalition of organizations fighting for the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment in the 1970s. The organization was bipartisan as Democrat Liz Carpenter and Republican Elly Peterson led the organization as co-chairs.^[1]

ERAmerica
Formation:	1976
Founding Location:	Washington, D.C.
Dissolved:	1982
Purpose:	Ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment
Location Country:	United States
Leader Name:	Liz Carpenter and Elly Peterson

Origins

ERAmerica was founded as a coalition of groups in 1976 and consisted of over 200 organizations.^[2] The headquarters were based in Washington, D.C.^[3] The purpose of the organization as to seek ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). The group was ultimately unsuccessful after the ERA failed in 1982.^[4]

Leadership

ERAmerica was a bipartisan organization. Liz Carpenter was a Democrat and Elly Peterson was a long time member of the Republican Party.^[5] Both women were founders of the National Women's Political Caucus.In 1976, Jane Wells served as campaign director of ERAmerica. In the early 1980s, Mary Hatwood Futrell served as president.^[6] In 1982, Kathleen Currie served as director of public relations.^[7]

Member organizations

Groups affiliated with ERAmerica included Catholics Act for ERA, Housewives for ERA, Common Cause, Girl Scouts, and the NAACP.^[8]

ERAmerica Report

In the early 1980s, ERAmerica published a newsletter known as the ERAmerica Report. In the May 1981 edition, they noted the ERA and abortion were separate issues.^[9]

Fundraising for the cause

1977

In 1977, ERAmerica raised $100,000 at the International Women's Year Conference in Houston.

1981

In 1981, ERAmerica held a luncheon in Michigan where First Lady Helen Milliken spoke.^[10] Karen Street from Birmingham attended this event and told the press, "This is one of the best things I've ever done. I'm so appreciative of the women who worked for the vote I have today. Some day, I hope women will appreciate what we are doing for the ERA. I have the time to devote to this. Many other women who need it most don't have the time I do."

Donations to candidates

In 1982, ERAmerica donated $38,650 to legislative candidates.

See also

• • • • Liz Carpenter Billie Jean King Elly Maude Peterson Helen Reddy^[11]
• Jane Horton Wells^[12]

References

1. Web site: AP . John Duricka-staff . ERA Liz Carpenter . 2022-12-20 . Idaho State Journal . en . 2022-12-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221220185009/https://www.idahostatejournal.com/news/national/era-liz-carpenter/image_9ad6f127-92ca-59bc-acda-43634d7ff485.html . dead .
2. Book: Slavin, Sarah . U.S. Women's Interest Groups: Institutional Profiles . 1995 . Greenwood Publishing Group . 978-0-313-25073-6 . en.
3. News: Kleindienst . Linda . October 10, 1982 . Feminists Give Candidates Workers in Lieu of Dollars . Fort Lauderdale News.
4. News: Nemy . Enid . 2010-03-21 . Liz Carpenter, Journalist, Feminist and Johnson Aide, Dies at 89 . en-US . The New York Times . 2022-12-20 . 0362-4331.
5. News: Klemesrud . Judy . March 8, 1976 . ERAmerica to Spearhead Effort to Pass Amendment . The Post-Crescent.
6. News: Freivogel . Margaret . November 3, 1981 . Women Looking Beyond ERA . St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
7. News: Hampton . Susan . February 28, 1982 . It's a Fight to the Finish for ERA . Johnson City Press.
8. News: de Forest . Marion . December 17, 1981 . ERA Coalition Includes 200 Organizations . The Naples Daily News.
9. Web site: ERAmerica Report, May 1981, Page 1 . 2022-12-20 . digital.tcl.sc.edu . en.
10. News: Levin . Marj Jackson . December 17, 1981 . They're Wearing the Badge . Detroit Free Press.
11. Web site: New Team to Unify E.R.A. Campaign; Access to the Leaders Deny Snubbing Feminists . 2022-12-20 . timesmachine.nytimes.com . en.
12. Web site: Papers of Jane Horton Wells . 2022-12-20 . hollis.harvard.edu . en.