Virginia could be the last state needed to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment and the VA ratify ERA campaign aims to make sure that happens. #VAratifyERA Why, in the year 2019 with so many opportunities for American women, do we need the Equal Rights Amendment? 1. The Constitution: the Constitution is the bedrock foundation of our nation’s laws. Since 1950, all international constitutions have included gender equality and so should ours! 2. Judicial review: currently gender discrimination cases are treated with “intermediate scrutiny” versus the “strict scrutiny” guaranteed to race, religion, and country of origin (covered by the Fourteenth Amendment). 3. Civil rights: women’s rights ARE civil rights. On May 30, 2018, Illinois became the 37th, and next-to-last state needed, to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment and we are just one state short of ratification, which would finally enshrine gender equality in the U.S. Constitution. During the 2019 session the Equal Rights Amendment enjoyed bipartisan support with a patron list long enough to indicate easy passage on the full House and Senate floors. Unfortunately, the House Privileges and Elections committee did not docket the resolution while the Senate passed it a 6th time. House leadership continues to block democratic debate and a vote by refusing to bring the ERA Resolution to the floor. Our mission is to clear a path to the floor in both the House and the Senate for 2020. The VA Senate has passed the ERA Resolution six times, while the House of Delegates has yet to vote. It all comes down to this November 5th! This fall, every seat in Virginia’s Senate and House of Delegates is up for election. Organizations across the Commonwealth are hard at work, educating and raising awareness among voters, attracting legislative and media attention to our issue, and amplifying the voices of constituents in key districts. Join us! Virginia, let’s make history!