Yes, Virginia, There Is An ERA

With increasing numbers of women elected to positions in state and Federal government, there is hope that a long-deferred Constitutional amendment may finally pass with the vote of the state legislature in Virginia, though it might still face a challenge in the Supreme Court. The Equal Rights Amendment, long a bugaboo of the far-right, was introduced in its current form in 1972, and has slowly garnered the support of state legislatures over the years since. The late, execrable Rethuglican loon Phyllis Schlafly led the scurrilous fight against the ERA for decades, effectively crippling the advancement of women generally, and working women in particular.

Three-quarters of the legislatures of the 50 states must approve Constitutional amendments, and the ERA has had one of the longest waits. Virginia would represent the 38th state to ratify the amendment, making it part of the Constitution. The amendment is striking in its simplicity: "Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex." It's outrageous to think that this amendment has languished for so long. Stay tuned.