Chicago ERA March Succeeds, But No Vote

By Jeanne Van Atta

The May 10 ERA March in Chicago could be described both as a resounding succèss and as a disappointing failure.

The weather was ideal and the turn-out was impressive, with estimates ranging from 20,000 (by the police) to 100,000 (by the marchers). The organization was excellent and, of course, everything was completely peaceful among the participants, 90 percent of whom were women.

Participants in the march and the speakers represented a broad coalition of women, labor and

did not take place that Wednesday as planned because the pro-ERA forces discovered they were 2-3 votes short of succeeding. This defeat was then turned to scandal when a state legislator, known for his anti-ERA point of view, accused an ERA organizer of offering him a bribe to change his vote. The confusion and disruption that has resulted from his charges will take an enormous effort to clarify. Organizers are now saying they don't expect another vote in Illinois (which has rejected the amendment, according to the Chicago Tribune, ten times already)

for several months,

The effort that is needed to keep on pushing in spite of setbacks like these is tremendous. And there have been many setbacks over the years during which the amendment has languished in Washington. On

reflection, the fascinating part of it is that the move→ ment to achieve equality for women under the law has been so tranquil. It's impossible not to compare the anti-war marches and the civil rights marches and even some of the anti-nuke marches. There always seem to be confrontations and arrests. But we haven't seen that in the ERA movement. It is oda that the rights of so many that have been denied for so long are being sought after so politely.

Nineteenth Century feminists were jailed on many occasions during their demonstrations for women's suffrage. That is not to say that the number of arrests mark the success of a movement. However, there is something to be said for the commitment and in volvement of those who are willing to take risks in the process of achieving their goals.

ERA Legislative History-Unratified States

Photo by M-B Camp

minority groups. There were labor union representatives marching shoulder to shoulder with a contingent of Native American women. When Jesse Jackson, Director of Operation PUSH, spoke, he drew attention to the similarities between the struggle for equality by blacks and women. It is a powerful, though seldom heard, theme.

Speakers addressing the crowd included, to name only a few, Bella Abzug, Gloria Steinem, Marlo Thomas, Eleanor Holmes Norton, a representative from the Hispanic community in Chicago, officials from the Illinois State Government, Chicago Mayor Jane Byrne, and Kristen Lems, who performed a rousing version of the "Ballad of Rosa Parks".

The energy was high, the mood was festive. As speakers came forward one after the other, it began to seem impossible that the amendment would not pass, not only in Illinois but in many unratified states.

Gloria Steinem shared the news that the American Psychiatric Association had just moved a large conference from Louisiana because it is an unratified State. In addition, the group had decided to donate over $24,000 to the pro-ERA efforts. The laughter. was loud and long as Eleanor Smeal, President of the National Organization for Women, said that Phyllis Schlafly, the noted anti-ERA organizer, was making public statements asserting that each of the marchers had been paid $10 to attend! Smeal went on to ask. for donations from the crowd to continue to finance the efforts to pass ERA.

The march took place on May 10 because the IIlinois State Legislature was scheduled to vote on the issue on Wednesday, May 14. Many of those attending planned to stay in Illinois until Wednesday to lobby for votes in the state capital, Springfield. Although news of the march and the ensuing events has been scarce in Cleveland, one of the daily newspapers did make note of the fact that the vote

Page 6/What She Wants/June, 1980

ALABAMA

(1973) Senate rejected 6-26.

(1975) House instituted a 3/5's majority on constitutional amendments (only action taken by House on this amendment). (1978) Senate rejected 8-24.

ARIZONA

(1973-74) Committee action only.

(1975) ERA defeated 16-14 by Senate Committee of the Whole. (1976) ERA was voted down 15-15 on a third reading on the Senate Floor.

(1977) Senate Committee of the Whole defeated ERA 18-11 (1978) An amended ERA (excluding Section 11) was defeated by the Senate Committee of the Whole 17-13.

(1979) Senate defeated 11-18; House defeated 18-39.

ARKANSAS

(1973) Senate defeated 14-20.

(1977) Passed House Committee but procedural tactic prevented floor vote.

(1979) House Committee on Agencies approved "Do Not Pass" recommendation 144.

FLORIDA

(1972) House passed 92-4. (1973) House defeated $4-64. (1974) Senate rejected 19-21.

(1975) Senate rejected 18-22; House defeated 62-58. (1977) Senate rejected 19-21.

(1979) House Rules Committee passed ERA resolution for floor consideration 15-9 April 3. Senate Rules Committee refused to send ERA resolution to Senate floor, 12-4 April 4; Committee reconsideration again refused to move ERA to floor, by voice vote, April S. House amended already passed Senate Bill and added ERA, 64-52, May 17. Senate defeated amended bill, 21-19, May 24.

GEORGIA

(1978) Senate Judiciary Committee voted unanimously to hold ERA in committee; ERA rejected once in Senate and once in House.

ILLINOIS

(1974) Senate defeated by 6 votes; House by 12 votes. (1975) House passed; Senate defeated by 6 votes. (1976) Senate defeated by 7 votes. (1977) Senate defeated by 6 votes. (1978) House defeated by 2 votes.

(1979) Senate and House voted to retain 3/5's majority rule. Adopted a rule that essentially limits floor consideration of constitutional amendment to only one time per legislative session.

LOUISIANA

(1973) Killed in House committees, passed once in Senate. (1975) Killed in House committees, passed once in Senate. (1977) Killed in House committees, passed once in Senate, (1979) Reported unfavorably out of House Committee 11-5. Reported favorably out of Senate Committee 5-1. Senate floor vote defeated bill 25-14.

Committee to report bill out unfavorably. Senate Judiciary Committee tabled bill.

OKLAHOMA

(1972) Senate passed by voice vote; House defeated 36-52.

(1973) House defeated 45-53.

(1975) House defeated 45-51.

(1979) Senate president pro tempore and speaker introduced and sponsored ERA bill. No committee action.

SOUTH CAROLINA

(1973) Tabled by House.

(1975) Tabled by House.

(1978) Senate defeated 18-23 on procedural motion.

UTAH

(1973) House defeated 21-5.

(1975) House defeated 51-23.

(1979) Resolution to prevent ERA from consideration by either legislative chamber passed House 60-8; Senate 23-5.

VIRGINIA

(1973-74) Killed in committee.

(1975) Senate defeated on referral motion.

(1976) House and Senate defeated on procedural motions.

(1977) Senate defeated 20-18.

(1978) House P&E Committee killed 12-8.

(1979) Senate P&E Committee failed to report ERA to floor 7-8; House of Delegates held ERA bill in P&E Committee.

(1980) Senate P&E Committee reported favorably 9-6. Failed to receive constitutional majority (21 votes) on Senate floor, vote 19-20.

MS AL

IFL

1980 Legislative Session Dates Unratified States

Feb. 5 (30 legislature days) Jan. 14 (indefinite period) None April8-Juneб

Seadon

MISSISSIPPI

State Ala.

Next Elections

1982

Only state where ERA has never reached the floor of either house.

Ariz.

1980

Ark.

1980

MISSOURI

Fla.

1980

(1973) House defeated 70-81.

Ga.

Jan. 14-Feb. 22

1980

(1975) House passed 82-75; Senate defeated 14-20. (1977) Senate defeated 12-22.

III.

March 1-June 30

1980

La.

April 21 (60 calendar days)

1981

Miss.

Jan. 2-May 5

1991

NEVADA

Mo.

Jan. 9-May 15

1980

(1975) House passed 27-13; Senate defeated 8-12. (1977) Senate passed 11-10; House defeated 15-24. (1979) Senate defeated 3-14.

Nev.

Jan. 19 (indefinite period)

1980

N.C.

May 5-17

1980

Okla.

Jan. 8-May 12

1980

S.C.

Jan. 8 (indefinite period)

1980

NORTH CAROLINA

Utah

Jan. 7 (20 calendar days)

1980

Va.

Jan. 9 (60 calendar days)

1981

(1973) Senate defeated 23-27. (1975) House defeated 57-62.

(1977) House passed 61-55; Senate defeated 24-26.

(1979) Parliamentary manipulation forced Senate Constitutional

-Women's Political Times

April, 1980