“I believe the equal rights amendment is a necessity of life for all citizens. The cabinet sometimes felt that I shouldn’t be so outspoken.”

~Betty Ford

The Equal Rights Amendment was sent to the states for ratification today in 1972. It was never able to get support of 38 states, the number needed for ratification.

Maybe the text of the proposed amendment explains why it was so controversial in America in the 1970s:

• Section 1. Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.
• Section 2. The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.
• Section 3. This amendment shall take effect two years after the date of ratification.

Yep, pretty spooky stuff.

Bonus Track: Women in the workplace, GOP style.

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