From Zoe Nicholson - VFA's ERA Liaison "This country needs an equal rights amendment right now, and NOW supports and works toward all strategies to secure its long-overdue ratification," said NOW President Terry O'Neill. "With so many attacks on programs that help women press for equal opportunities and a failure to pass a strong equal pay law last Congress, it's abundantly clear that guaranteeing protection from sex discrimination is not just a moral imperative -- it's urgent." ERA REPORT FROM ZOE NICHOLSON: EQUALITY is rising up on all fronts. The universe is breathing equality. The Equal Rights Amendment (HJRCA 2) has been introduced in Illinois. Great News! The ERA bill in Virginia passes State Senate with a bipartisan vote of 24 yays and 16 nays Putting women into the U.S. Constitution will guarantee equal rights for women and men under the law, and NOW pledges to work for its passage in the 112th Congress. This International Women's Day, March 8, Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and seven co-sponsors introduced a resolution (H.J. Res.47) to remove the arbitrary deadline that prevents the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) from becoming part of the Constitution -- even if three more states ratified it, bringing up the total number to the required 38 states. The ERA in Congress 112th Session (2011-2012): On Mar. 8, Representative Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) introduced H.J.Res 47, which would remove the ERA’s ratification deadline and make it part of the Constitution when three more states ratify. It is anticipated that the “start-over” ERA ratification bills will be introduced by Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) during April 2011. The ERA in the States FLASH! On Feb. 7, 2011, the Virginia Senate passed a resolution (SJ357) ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment. However, the House of Delegates companion bill (HJ640, chief sponsor Del. Mark Sickles) was tabled in Subcommittee #1 (Constitutional) of the Privileges and Elections Committee twice, on Jan. 31 and Feb. 14. No further action can be taken in this legislative session. For more information, contact Diana Egozcue, Virginia NOW President, vanowpresident@hotmail.com. Zoe Nicholson (Author of The Hungry Heart, A Woman’s Fast for Justice; Founder ERA Once and For All; NWPC ERA Liaison; Member ERA Roundtable; President Pacific Shore NOW) Comments to Zoe: Zoe@onlinewithzoe.com Zoe's WebBlog: onlinewithzoe.com Back to Table of Contents