RICHMOND, VA—Today’s formal ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)in Virginia is a cause for celebration. This day has been a long, long time coming, and credit for this historic victory is due to the new leadership of the Virginia legislature—and the groundswell of feminist activists and voters who put them there.
VA ERA News
On January 27, 2020, Virginia made history as the 38th state to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. National NOW President Toni Van Pelt, Loudoun County NOW President Barb Jones and VA NOW Legislative VP Marj Signer were among thousands of NOW members leading the fight for ratification.
Statement from NOW President Toni Van Pelt
January 15, 2020
RICHMOND, VA – After a hundred-year journey full of heartbreaks and triumphs, the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) is poised to finally be part of the Constitution of the United States. NOW President Toni Van Pelt is standing on the floor of the Virginia’s House of Delegates today as they vote to become the 38th and final state needed to ratify the ERA.
By Connie Cordovilla, VA NOW President
The House Judiciary committee held one of the most important votes on women's issues this year on November 13 when it considered a proposed bill (H.J. Res. 53, Speier, D-CA) to remove the deadline that the Senate imposed on the Equal Rights Amendment in 1972 by then Senator Sam Ervin.