Letter: Gender equality and our Constitution

Black Keyboard - Letter to the Editor

To the Editor:

On Jan. 27, 2020, the Equal Rights Amendment was ratified by the State of Virginia, bringing to 38 the number of states who have ratified it, meeting this requirement for new Constitutional Amendments. It would be the 28th Amendment.

The 28th Amendment reads: “Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.”

Although the Department of Justice temporarily blocked the National Archivist from certifying the 28th Amendment due to restrictive time period for ratification that has passed, one administration cannot halt America’s progress toward equality forever. It is time for the Equal Rights Amendment to be in our Constitution.

Until now, gender equality has existed as piecemeal law, both at the federal and state levels. This is insufficient. By being piecemeal, it is subject to being changed more easily and laws that discriminate based on gender have less scrutiny in court. What Americans have needed all along is foundational law. With the 28th Amendment, the Equal Rights Amendment, we can fix the gender equality gap in our Constitution, bringing our country one step closer to liberty and justice for all.

A 2016 survey found that 97% of Americans favor Equal Rights. Please write your representative in Congress to remove the time period for ratification.

Zonta International is a leading global organization of professionals empowering women worldwide through service and advocacy. For more information, go to www.zonta.org.

Deirdre Toler, President, Zonta Club of Streator

Kimberly Radek, President, Zonta Club of La Salle/Peru Area

Susan Bursztynsky, President, Zonta Club of Ottawa Area