With Women's History Month concluded, we need to take the next step to guarantee gender equality in America. The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) must be finally added to the U.S. Constitution to ensure that all Americans are treated fairly, regardless of their gender. It's time to take action and make the ERA a reality.

The ERA was introduced 100 years ago, but still isn’t ratified. The amendment simply says that "Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex." I don’t understand why this basic principle of equality isn’t already in our Constitution to protect the rights of all our citizens.

Adding the ERA to the Constitution would really improve the lives of women across our country. It would guarantee equal pay for equal work, protect from sex discrimination in the workplace, and ensure that women have the same access to education as men. It would help prevent violence against women and promote gender equality everywhere.  

The ratification of the ERA isn’t just a women's issue — it’s a human rights issue, too. It affects every part of our society, and would be a crucial step towards a more just and equal society. This isn’t just a political issue — it’s personal, too. When I think about my two young daughters growing up now, I think these young women deserve the same rights as their male peers. I want them to know they can achieve anything they set their minds to and they will be protected by law.  

As we celebrate the achievements of women throughout history, let's also take action towards achieving true gender equality now. Please write your representatives and senators and urge them to finally add the Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It’s time to ensure that all citizens are guaranteed equal rights under the law, regardless of their sex. This would be a great time to get this done. 

Lawrence Pareles

Florence

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