

At a Glance
Language
English — USSubject
- Civics & Citizenship
- History
- Social Studies
Grade
6–12- Democracy & Civic Engagement
- Human & Civil Rights
Overview
About This Mini-Lesson
"Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex." The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) fell just short of the 38 states required for ratification by the 1982 deadline set by Congress. Recently, however, activists have pushed to revive the campaign to ratify the ERA, arguing that the constitution does not require deadlines for the ratification of amendments. As a result of these efforts, in January 2020, Virginia became the 38th state to approve the ERA, and in February 2020, the US House of Representatives voted to remove the 1982 deadline for the ERA’s ratification. Women’s rights activists hope that the ERA now has another chance to become a part of the US Constitution, formally guaranteeing women equal rights to men. However, the Senate has not yet voted to approve the extension of the ratification deadline, and several lawsuits both for and against the ERA are already entering the courts.
Whether or not the ERA becomes a part of the Constitution as a result of the current process, it is important for students to learn about the amendment. This mini-lesson provides an overview of the ERA and an opportunity for students to explore some of the history behind the struggle around its ratification.
Activities
Activities
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