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Equal Rights Amendment

Action Alert US Senate

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CALL TO ACTION

On February 13, 2020, the U.S. House of Representatives passed HR 79 to remove the arbitrary time limit for ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment.

Now the battle moves to the Senate. And NOW is the time for you to phone, write, message, and text N.C. Senators Tillis and Burr with this clear, simple message:

Dear Sen. _____:

“Please vote ‘yes’ to remove the deadline to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment by passing SJR 6. As your constituent, I strongly support equal rights for all and appreciate your voting ‘yes’ to drop the time limit.  Thank you so much!!”

Contact information:

Senator Thom Tillis
113 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington DC 20510
Phone Number: (202) 224-6342
Contact form for comments: www.tillis.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/email-me

Senator Richard Burr
217 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone Numbers: (202) 224-3154 or (800)685-8916
Contact form for comments: www.burr.senate.gov/contact/email

2019 Annual Meeting

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You’re invited to attend the
ERA-NC Alliance Annual Meeting

Saturday, October 5, 2019
Noon – 4 pm
(Registration opens at 11:30 am)

Pilgrim United Church of Christ
3011 Academy Road
Durham, NC 27707
pilgrimucc-durham.org

Register for the Annual Meeting HERE.

Katie Hornung

Keynote Speaker: Kati Hornung

Kati Hornung is Campaign Coordinator for the state-wide, nonpartisan, grassroots VAratifyERA campaign working to ensure Virginia’s ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment. Her passion on the topic stems from her own life experiences and the interest of her two daughters in achieving constitutional equality. We are pleased to welcome her as our keynote speaker.

We will also celebrate our ERA Champion Award recipients, Joanna Wade, Partner with Winston & Strawn LLP and Julie von Haefen, NC Representative, District 36 (Wake Co.).

During our business meeting we will elect board new board members and review recommended by-laws changes. If you wish to be able to vote at the meeting, you must be a registered, dues-paid member by September 20th. You can easily join or renew your membership online. We are honoring the church’s request that no sales be conducted at the meeting, so we will not be selling t-shirts that day.

If you are interested in running for a position on the board, please review the call for candidates letter.

If you’d like to review the proposed bylaws changes, here are two documents to look at – changes within the full bylaws and proposed changes only.

We’ve arranged for group pricing at a nearby hotel for your convenience. When you register, just let them know you’re with the ERA-NC Alliance Annual Meeting group. Depending on participation, group pricing may end Sept. 20, so book now!

Comfort Inn University Durham/Chapel Hill
3508 Mt. Moriah Road
Durham, NC 27707
www.choicehotels.com/north-carolina/durham/comfort-inn-hotels

Stay tuned for more details!

MAKE NC #38

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One More State. #38
Not One More Generation.

We’ve launched our MAKE NC #38 fundraising campaign and ask you to donate:

$3.80
$38.00
$380.00
$3,800.00

or any amount you wish to show your support of the ERA-NC Alliance’s efforts important work of education, advocacy and lobbying during this critical and urgent time.

Click the link to give online. It’s easy!

https://www.era-nc.org/donate-2/

Or send a check payable to ERA-NC Alliance and mail to:

ERA-NC Alliance
MAKE NC #38 Campaign
P. O. Box 20222
Winston-Salem, NC 27120

As a 501(c)4, donations to ERA-NC Alliance are not tax deductible, but we’re sure you’ll want to be part of our MAKE NC #38 Campaign!

Ratification Bills Introduced

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Ratification Bills Introduction Day – March 5th, 2019

Bills to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment were introduced in both houses of the North Carolina General Assembly on March 5th. ERA-NC Alliance organized a statewide presence in Raleigh, with ERA advocates from the coast to the mountains on hand to witness the introductions and to encourage every single member of the General Assembly to sign on as a co-sponsor. A panel discussion was held in the NCGA Equal Rights Caucus featuring Eleanor Smeal of the Feminist Majority, and Carol Jenkins and Bettina Hager of the ERA Coalition, with ERA-NC Alliance co-president Joanna Wade as moderator. That was followed by a press conference with the bills’ primary sponsors and many co-sponsors present. A mobile billboard organized by Alliance Lead Organization, League of Women Voters of NC, also circled the capitol throughout the day!

Press Conference video:

Equal Rights Caucus video:

Video courtesy of Brave Lens Films, Inc.

 

Make Calls on March 5th

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ERA bills will be introduced in the NCGA on March 5th, 2019
Can’t make it to the NC General Assembly on March 5th but want to be part of the action?

You can contact the legislators representing your county to let them know that you strongly support the Equal Rights Amendment and expect them to do the same.

Here are some key points to cover (although we hope you will use your own voice, stories, and perspective!):

  • There will never be equal rights in this country until all laws apply to citizens regardless of their sex.
  • The laws we thought might protect women have not been strictly applied.
  • Families’ very economic survival depends on non-discrimination in hiring, paying, promoting, and providing a safe working environment for everyone, including women.
  • North Carolina should be the 38th state to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment.
  • The bill to ratify the ERA is being introduced on March 5th. Once introduced, there is a very short time for legislators to sign on as co-sponsors. We urge you to indicate your support as soon as possible. Please visit the NCGA Dashboard to digitally co-sponsor the ERA ratification bills that were filed today (March 5). 
  • If you are on the committee where the bill lands, we urge you to:
    • request a public hearing on the bill
    • pass it out of committee with a favorable report
    • call for this bill to come up for a vote!

Legislators’ individual addresses can be found at www.NCleg.gov, click on ‘District Representation’, ‘Find your legislator’, scroll down to “representation by County”, enter your county, click on the names for both office and home mailing addresses.  An in-person visit is always best, but emails and phone calls also count!

Thank you for joining us in this work!

NC Ratification Petition

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Going to church, an organization meeting or a big event? Download and circulate our petition to the legislators of North Carolina! The more signatures legislators see from their own constituents, the better!

Petitions can be sent to the NC Speaker of the House, NC Senate President Pro-tempore, and any legislator that represents one of your members.

Please also send a copy of the petitions to Teri Walley, Vice-President, Communications of the ERA-NC Alliance

Here’s where you’ll find contact information for the NCGA leadership: [Read more…] about NC Ratification Petition

Let’s Make History! ERA 2019

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North Carolina has a historic chance to be the 38th — and final! — state to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). Join us as we bring that message to our legislators. We need them to know that North Carolina wants equal rights for all – women and men!

One more state. Not one more genERAtion.
#ALLforERA

Event: Let’s Make History: ERA 2019
Date: Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019
Time: 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Location: North Carolina General Assembly, 16 W. Jones Street, Raleigh, NC

Join our Facebook event and let us know you are coming!
Click here: Let’s Make History: ERA 2019 

Details:
9:30 am – Gather on the 1st floor, in the 1300 quadrant to the left as you enter the building, Jones Street entrance. You’ll receive instructions.

10:00 am – 12:30 pm – We’ll distribute 170 copies of ERA advocacy cards and DVDs to legislators (120 House, 50 Senate).

Colors: Alliance T-shirts or other green and white apparel or lapel ribbons if you are able, but not required.

Security: You must pass through a security check at entrances.

Information about directions, parking and dining at the legislature can be found here: General Information

Please share this invitation widely with your friends, family and acquaintances!

2018 Candidates Surveys

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The ERA-NC Alliance reached out to EVERY North Carolina candidate running for Congress and the General Assembly this year! We called as many candidates individually as we could, and sent out postcards as well.

A ‘yes’ means the candidate will co-sponsor and vote for the resolution to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. Many candidates also returned comments with their survey; you can read their comments in this document.

Candidate Survey Results
NC HOUSE Name Supports ERA?
1 Edward Goodwin Yes
1 Ronald Wesson Yes
2 Darryl Moss Yes
3 T. Lee Horne No
3 Barbara Lee Yes
3 Michael Speciale No
4 DaQuen Love Yes
5 Howard Hunter III Yes
6 Tess Judge Yes
7 Bobbie Richardson Yes
8 Kandie Smith Yes
10 Tracy Blackmon Yes
11 Allison Dahle Yes
11 Travis Groo Yes
12 George Graham Yes
13 Penelope diMaio Yes
14 Isaiah Johnson Yes
16 John Johnson Yes
17 Tom Simmons Yes
19 Marcia Morgan Yes
20 Leslie Cohen Yes
26 Linda Bennett Yes
29 MaryAnn Black Yes
30 Marcia Morey Yes
31 Zack Hawkins Yes
32 Terry Garrison Yes
33 Rosa Gill Yes
33 Anne Murtha Yes
35 Michael Nelson Yes
36 Julie von Haefen Yes
37 Sydney Batch Yes
39 Darren Jackson Yes
40 Joe John Yes
41 Gale Adcock Yes
42 Marvin Lucas Yes
43 John Czajkowski Yes
44 Linda Devore Yes
44 Billy Richardson Yes
45 Albeiro Florez Yes
48 Russell Walker No
49 Cynthia Ball Yes
50 Graig Meyer Yes
52 Lowell Simon Yes
53 Richard Chapman Yes
56 Verla Insko Yes
57 Ashton Clemmons Yes
60 Cecil Brockman Yes
61 Pricey Harrison Yes
62 Martha Shafer Yes
63 Erica McAdoo Yes
66 Justin Miller Yes
68 Richard Foulke Yes
71 Evelyn Terry Yes
74 Terri LeGrand Yes
75 Dan Besse Yes
76 Joe Fowler Yes
76 Harry Warren Yes
77 Bonnie Dawn Clark Yes
78 James Meredith, Jr. Yes
79 Jerry Langley Yes
80 Wendy Sellars Yes
81 Lewie Phillips Yes
82 Aimy Steele Yes
84 Allen Edwards Yes
85 Howard Larsen Yes
86 Tim Barnsback Yes
87 Amanda Bregel Yes
88 Mary Belk Yes
89 Greg Cranford Yes
95 Carla Fassbender Yes
96 Kim Bost Yes
97 Natalie Robertson Yes
98 Christy Clark Yes
99 Nasif Majeed Yes
100 John Autry Yes
101 Carolyn Logan Yes
102 Becky Carney Yes
103 Rachel Hunt Yes
106 Carla Cunningham Yes
109 Susan Maxon Yes
113 Sam Edney Yes
114 Susan Fisher Yes
115 John Ager Yes
116 Brian Turner Yes
117 Gayle Kemp Yes
117 Chuck McGrady Yes
118 Rhonda Cole Schanderel Yes
119 Joe Sam Queen Yes
     
NC SENATE Name  
1 D. Cole Phelps Yes
2 Ginger Garner Yes
2 Tim Harris No
3 Charles Earley Yes
3 Erica Smith-Ingram Yes
4 Jesse Shearin Yes
6 Joseph Webb Yes
7 Barbara Dantonio Yes
8 Dr. David Sink, Jr. Yes
9 Harper Peterson Yes
10 Vernon Ray Moore Yes
11 Albert Pacer Yes
14 Daniel Blue Yes
15 Jay Chaudhuri Yes
16 Wiley Nickel Yes
17 Sam Searcy Yes
19 Kirk Deviere Yes
20 Floyd McKissick, Jr. Yes
22 Mike Woodard Yes
23 Valerie Foushee Yes
24 JD Wooten Yes
25 Helen Probst Mills Yes
28 Gladys Robinson Yes
30 Jen Mangrum Yes
31 John Motsinger, Jr. Yes
40 Joyce Waddell Yes
41 Natasha Marcus Yes
42 Ric Vandett Yes
43 Altriese Price Yes
44 David Lattimore Yes
46 Art Sherwood Yes
47 David Wheeler Yes
48 Norm Bossert Yes
49 Mark Crawford Yes
49 Terry Van Duyn Yes
     
US HOUSE Name  
2 Jeff Matemu Yes
5 DD Adams Yes
6 Ryan Watts Yes
8 Frank McNeill Yes
10 David Brown Yes
11 Phillip Price Yes
 
 

2018 Annual Meeting

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You’re invited to attend the
ERA-NC Alliance Annual Meeting

Saturday, October 6, 2018
Noon – 4 pm
(Registration opens at 11:30 am)

Parkway United Church of Christ
2151 Silas Creek Pkwy, Winston-Salem, NC 27103

Keynote Speaker: Carol Robles-Roman
Co-President and CEO of the ERA Coalition/Fund for Women’s Equality

Ms. Robles-Roman will share news about the exciting work being done nationwide toward ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, from the hugely successful shadow hearing on Capitol Hill to the ERA Roadshow.
Prior to joining the ERA Coalition, Robles-Roman was the President and CEO of Legal Momentum, where she spearheaded legislative, legal and policy efforts to ensure equal rights for women and girls; to combat human trafficking and violence against women; and to protect women’s economic security. Carol was Deputy Mayor for Legal Affairs and Counsel to NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg for 12 years. She served as a NYS assistant attorney general for civil rights. Read more about Ms. Robles-Roman.

We will celebrate the state ratification count now at 37 – with just one more state to go! We’ll review our efforts across North Carolina, from municipal resolutions supporting state ratification, to our Congressional Action Teams, to the progress we’re making at the General Assembly.

We will also celebrate our 2018-2019 ERA Champion Award winners:

NC Senator

Erica D. Smith

NC Representative

Deb Butler

The ERA Champion Award is presented to persons who demonstrate superior leadership efforts in advocating for the ideals of equality and justice for women. Advocates are dedicated to the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment and make exceptional contributions to achieve its passage. Senator Smith and Representative Butler have clearly demonstrated this dedication over the past year – and beyond! We’re delighted that they will join us at our annual meeting!

Business meeting: During the business portion of our meeting, we will hold elections for officers and board members, and review proposed bylaws changes. Learn more about our candidates for Board of Directors and Officer positions. You can also read the minutes from the 2017 Annual Meeting.

 — Meeting registration is now closed —

 

Press Release 6/2/18

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Illinois becomes 37th state to ratify the ERA
Will North Carolina be the 38th?

Durham, NC – On May 30, 2018, the Illinois House of Representatives voted to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, making it the 37th of 38 states need to guarantee women in the United States full protection under the Constitution.

Efforts have been underway in North Carolina to ratify the ERA as well, with bills introduced in the 2015-16 and 2017-18 sessions. On May 31st, additional ratifying bills were introduced in both the NC House and Senate. Senators Floyd McKissick and Terry Van Duyn are primary sponsors of S782, which explains why the ERA is still viable for ratification today, and allocates $10,000 to educate the public about the act. In the House, Representatives Carla Cunningham, Susan Fisher, Evelyn Terry and Deb Butler are primary sponsors of the companion bill H1072.

Links to new bills:
S782: www.ncleg.net/Sessions/2017/Bills/Senate/PDF/S782v1.pdf
H1072: www.ncleg.net/Sessions/2017/Bills/House/PDF/H1072v1.pdf

A 2016 poll found nearly universal support (94%) for guaranteeing women equal rights under the Constitution. Nearly 80% of those polled mistakenly believed that was already the case. However, the late Supreme Court Justice, Antonin Scalia, made it clear that justices following a constitutionalist philosophy believe that women are not protected under the Constitution, and that the founders did not intend that they be protected under the document.

The ERA-NC Alliance is conducting a statewide educational campaign about the need for the Constitutional amendment, which is anticipated to eventually guarantee equality for men and women under the law and in the workplace, and strengthen protection against gender-based violence.

ERA-NC Alliance Co-Presidents Marena Groll and Roberta Madden are available for interviews.

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About the ERA-NC Alliance:

The ERA-NC Alliance (www.era-nc.org) is a non-partisan, non-profit organization seeking ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. constitution. Membership is open to individuals and organizations committed to ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment. Lead organizations include the American Association of University Women of NC, Democratic Women of NC, League of Women Voters of NC, NC4ERA, NC Business and Professional Women, NC National Organization for Women, NC Women United, Ratify ERA- NC the Women’s Forum of NC and the YWCA of Asheville. The Alliance operates in direct collaboration with the national ERA Coalition (www.eracoalition.org).