19th Century
In 1865, the United States Civil War came to a close, producing new rights for new people. These rights were given by the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendment. The 13th amendment abolished slavery, The 14th Amendment says no state can deny the privileges and immunities of U.S citizens, and the 15th amendment prohibits Government from denying a citizen the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude. Although the 14th amendment improved conditions for minorities, " the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such State." The amendment includes the word "male", and excludes women from this right. With the nation-wide and even supreme court belief that women had a separate place in society, a subordinate one, it sparked the need for legislation for women's legal equality among feminists and more.
In 1865, the United States Civil War came to a close, producing new rights for new people. These rights were given by the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendment. The 13th amendment abolished slavery, The 14th Amendment says no state can deny the privileges and immunities of U.S citizens, and the 15th amendment prohibits Government from denying a citizen the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude. Although the 14th amendment improved conditions for minorities, " the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such State." The amendment includes the word "male", and excludes women from this right. With the nation-wide and even supreme court belief that women had a separate place in society, a subordinate one, it sparked the need for legislation for women's legal equality among feminists and more.
Early 20th Century
In 1923 was when the actual amendment was first proposed to congress. A split between men and women over this amendment was expected, but instead, split women against each other. The National Woman's Party and Women's Trade Union League were two early opponents that argued whether or not the amendment was the right way to go about woman's equality. The Women's Trade Union League opposed the amendment because "it would dismantle the protective labour legislation they believed was the means to achieve economic equality for women," this being one of the first oppositions.
In 1923 was when the actual amendment was first proposed to congress. A split between men and women over this amendment was expected, but instead, split women against each other. The National Woman's Party and Women's Trade Union League were two early opponents that argued whether or not the amendment was the right way to go about woman's equality. The Women's Trade Union League opposed the amendment because "it would dismantle the protective labour legislation they believed was the means to achieve economic equality for women," this being one of the first oppositions.
Although the Equal Rights Amendment was first announced in 1923 and introduced at every session of Congress since then, it did not pass until 1972 and in a re-worded form. There were many women’s organizations that either supported or opposed this amendment for a variety of reasons. Eleanor Roosevelt was one such person that opposed the amendment from the 1940s until her death in 1962. With such an iconic figure as opposition, women were quick to rally behind her in condemning the amendment for taking away all of the progress that women activists have made in obtaining rights and protections. The belief was that the passing of this law would prevent Congress from enacting any laws that would provide necessary protections for women. On the other hand, a supporter of the amendment was the
National Organization for Women (NOW), which was formed in the wake of the
civil rights movement. This organization worked to obtain equal opportunity in
jobs, education, and political participation for women. For almost half a century this bill faced opposition in Congress, in committees, and in daily life as supporters and dissenters rallied to their respective corners to fight for their beliefs. To this day the bill has not been passed as an amendment for a variety of reasons such as the strong opposition, the seemingly weak support, and the inability to create an acceptable law for the rights of women's equality in the workplace. The only way that it passed Congress in the first place was due to the efforts of Martha Griffith.
Sources
Kirkby, Diane. "CSULB Library Authentication." CSULB Library Authentication. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 May 2014.
First Wave Feminists Photo: http://www.citelighter.com/political-science/womens-studies/knowledgecards/1st-wave-feminism
Newspaper Photo: http://www.citelighter.com/political-science/womens-studies/knowledgecards/1st-wave-feminism
The Equal Rights Amendment. "The History Behind The Equal Rights Amendment" Accessed April 29, 2014.http://www.equalrightsamendment.org/history.htm
JSTOR. "Historical Misunderstandings and the Defeat of the Equal Rights Amendment" Accessed April 29, 2014.
http://www.jstor.org/stable/3377881
Kirkby, Diane. "CSULB Library Authentication." CSULB Library Authentication. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 May 2014.
First Wave Feminists Photo: http://www.citelighter.com/political-science/womens-studies/knowledgecards/1st-wave-feminism
Newspaper Photo: http://www.citelighter.com/political-science/womens-studies/knowledgecards/1st-wave-feminism
The Equal Rights Amendment. "The History Behind The Equal Rights Amendment" Accessed April 29, 2014.http://www.equalrightsamendment.org/history.htm
JSTOR. "Historical Misunderstandings and the Defeat of the Equal Rights Amendment" Accessed April 29, 2014.
http://www.jstor.org/stable/3377881