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Billie Jean King, second from left, and other participants hold the torch high at the end of a 2,600-mile run from Seneca Falls, N.Y., to Houston,

Tex., at the start of the International Women's Year meeting there Nov. 17.

Associated Press

Organization, legwork hold key to passage

By Fran Arman

The women's movement is counting on the energy display at last week's National Women's Conference to galvanize efforts to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA).

With three states still needed for ratification before March 22, 1979,

the ERA has become the top priority of the women's movement, ahead of the other 24 issues passed at the Houston conference.

The resolution supporting ERA ratification was overwhelmingly approved by the 1,800 delegates at the conference, but feminist leaders stress that this endorsement will mean little unless it is translated into stepped-up lobbying at the state level.

The urgency of uniting women to work on ERA ratification was. dramatized at the convention by feminist Betty Friedan. Ms. Friedan, a delegate-at-large, did a surprising about-face on her stand on lesbianism.

During the debate on lesbian civil rights, Ms. Friedan urged the delegates to pass the resolution, stating, "I am known to be violently opposed to the lesbian issue in the women's movement. This issue has been used to divide us too much. My priority

is ERA ratification, or we will lose all. There is nothing whatsoever in the ERA to protect them (lesbians). Let us waste no further time.”

However, some ERA supporters believe that the passage of the lesbian proposal will alienate more women and make it even harder to

rally support for the ERA.

Dorris Holmes, a Georgia supporter of the ERA, said, “Apparently we do not learn from the past. It (lesbianism) has always been an albatross on the women's movement. The passage of this resolution is an extra burden we do not need."

On Nov. 18, the day before the conference began, ERAmerica, a coalition of 130 pro-ERA groups, sponsored a $15-a-head fund-raising party.

Before fire marshals cut off entry, approximately 4,000 people jammed into the Imperial Ballroom at the Houston Hyatt Regency Hotel to hear First Lady Rosalynn Carter, former First Lady Betty Ford, and other notable supporters.

Fran Arman covered the National Women's Conference in Houston for The Plain Dealer.

Mrs. Carter said the President. "cares what happens here," a sentiment that was echoed by Midge Costanza, assistant to the President...

"He's made a commitment through Judy Carter," Ms. Costanza said at a press conference. "She is a fulltime volunteer, going into states where I couldn't or Bella (Abzug): couldn't go. She's gone into southern states as daughter-in-law of the President."

Ms. Costanza also suggested that the President vocalize his support for the ERA at his next fireside. chat.

The job ahead for feminists is clear, said Lana Moresky, a Cleve land delegate to the conference.

"The conference regenerated a commitment from all walks of life Money raised at the gathering is for the ERA," she said. "We're going to be used, the invitation said, in a forward. We have to work at every campaign against "key opponents level. We're not going to risk any who are most vulnerable to pressure thing. We're going to give every mofrom pro-ERA majorities in their ment of our lives until ERA is pass districts." ed."