Neither the the U.S. Constitution nor the Minnesota Constitution mandates gender equality. The fight to add an Equal Rights Amendment has lasted 100 years.

In 1923, just three years after the 19th Amendment guaranteed most women the right to vote, the first Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) was proposed in Congress. In 1972, both the U.S. House and U.S. Senate passed an ERA and states began to ratify, stalling ten years later short of the required number.

More recently (2017-2020), a renewed push earned the needed ratification by 38 states. And state ERAs have been adopted in Connecticut, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah.

ERA Minnesota, a nonprofit volunteer organization, is working to add an Equal Rights Amendment to the Minnesota Constitution through a ballot measure passed by popular vote. In addition, it joins efforts nationwide to enact the ratification of the ERA as the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

On Thursday, March 16, 2023 at Edina City Hall, beginning at 7:00 PM, the League of Women Voters of Edina (LWVE) will host Suzann Willhite, President of ERA MN. She will talk about the history of inequality in the U.S., previous efforts to add ERAs to the Minnesota and U.S. constitutions, why an ERA matters, and the actions that are needed now. The event is free and all are welcome! Questions? Contact LWVE.