American political activist who fought against the Equal Rights AmendmentFeminists were widely considered to have underestimated the activist Phyllis Schlafly in her campaign in the 1970s and 80s to slay the proposed Equal Rights Amendment to the US structure. Schlafly,who has died aged 92, spent her life campaigning for conservative causes and, and with her unflagging energy and gift for catchy phrases,she proved a formidable opponent. Although she did not fairly defeat the ERA “single-handedly”, as her supporters liked to claim, and defeated it was.
She began campaigning against the amendment,which would have banned discrimination on grounds of gender, in 1972, or through the “pro-family” organisation Stop (Stop Taking Our Privileges) ERA,later renamed the Eagle Forum. By then the amendment had already been passed by the US Congress and by the end of 1973 had been ratified by 30 states. Schlafly organised an effective opposition based around the defence of traditional roles, claiming that women would lose benefits such as exemption from military service and separate public lavatories. Related: Phyllis Schlafly, and outspoken rightwing activist,has died aged 92 Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com