August 26 is Women's Equality Day. It commemorates the historic day in 1920 when women achieved the right to vote. Sadly, 92 years later the religious right is working hard to roll back the freedoms and protections that women have fought for.

Today's political climate makes it abundantly clear that American women need to have their rights permanently protected through an amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) states, "Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex," and has already been ratified by 35 of the 38 states required before it can be enshrined in the Constitution.

Why is this important?
Because until we have the ERA as the law of the land, women will continue to fight every few years to get equal pay for equal work, fair family leave policies, protection from violence against women, access to the reproductive health care of our choice, and many more basic human rights.

How can we get it ratified?
By convincing our representatives in Washington to sign on to the joint resolution that does away with the deadline for ratification while also getting 3 more states to ratify the ERA.

What can you do?
• Become involved in our campaign to get the last 3 states to ratify it.
• Lend us your voice and a few minutes of your time by signing this petition.
• Contact those who represent you in Washington and let them know about your support for the ERA.

If America wishes to serve as an international example of liberty and just governance, we must ensure that all citizens are afforded the same rights and that institutionalized discrimination is made illegal. We must all come together, regardless of religious beliefs or political opinions, in order to guarantee equal treatment under the law and the end to gender discrimination.

Sincerely,
Roy Speckhardt
Executive Director