“Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn” is the attitude of many legislative and congressional leaders regarding equal rights for women and men.
To overcome resistance, ignorance, and apathy on the part of many political leaders, a diverse group of supporters of the Equal Rights Amendment participated in a statewide conference, “The ERA—Give a Damn” in Greensboro on October 24. RATIFY ERA-NC sponsored the program.
Featured speakers were:
- Floyd McKissick, primary ERA sponsor in the Senate; Marena Groll of NC4ERA introduced him.
Senator Floyd McKissick, primary ERA author in the Senate, speaks with Marena Groll of NC4ERA.
- Carla Cunningham, primary sponsor in the House; Pat Sledge of Business and Professional Women NC introduced her.
- Melinda Lowrance, NAACP President in Henderson County and a member of the RATIFY ERA-NC leadership team; she was introduced by Lee Luebbe of the League of Women Voters of Henderson County. Melinda discussed “Why Women of Color Need the ERA.”
Melinda Lowrance of the NAACP and RATIFY ERA-NC (left) and Lee Luebbe of the League of Women Voters and RATIFY ERA-NC consider strategies.
- Organizing the event were Roberta Madden, Black Mountain; and Nancy Glowacki, Hendersonville, who led discussions on strategy.
Pictured, from left, are Audrey Muck, NOW; Pat Sledge, BPW; and Virginia Adamson, BPW.
The meeting attracted members of BPW, LWV, National Organization for Women, American Association of University Women, NC4ERA, and the NAACP.
Judith Scruggs of the League of Women Voters and RATIFY ERA-NC registered conference participants.
Sharon Burlingame, president of the Henderson County League of Women Voters, during a light moment.
Some legal scholars believe that ratification of the ERA in only three more states is viable. Clearly, personal dialogue with our legislators is needed to increase the momentum and pressure for ratification by the NC General Assembly.
Nancy Glowacki, co-director of RATIFY ERA-NC, led discussions on strategy.
Roberta Madden, co-director of RATIFY ERA-NC organized the conference.
A follow-up virtual meeting (via the internet) is scheduled Sunday, November 15 at 3 p.m. Watch for more details.
