Ukiah Daily Journal from Ukiah, California • Page 36

16 PROFILES March 1997 EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT (ERA) HISTORY 1Q9A'o In 1923, the Equal Rights Amendment is in traduced in the U.S- Congress by Senator CharlesCurtis (R-KS) and Representative Daniel Anthony (R-KS). Authored by Alice Paul, the so-called "Lucretia Mott Amendment" read, "Men and Women shall have equal rights throughout the United States and in every plane subject to its jurisdiction." Congress fails to act on the amendment but it is reintroduced in each subsequent Congress. In 1937, BPW becomes the fires major orga- nization, after the National Women's Party, to endorse the Equal Rights Amendment with unanimous approval at BPWs convention In Atlantic City. The ERA remains buried in committee in the U.S. House of Representatives.

In 1943, the wording of the Equal Rights Amendment is changed to its current form: "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 is hoped that the change will increase support for the amendment in Congress. In 1946, the Senate Votes on the ERA for the first time and the measure is rejected. i The Senate twice approves the ERA, in 1950 and 1953, but both times with a rider that essentially invalidates the amendment. In 1968, BPW's Legislation Chair Jane Culbreth appears before the Republican and Democratic Party platform committee hearings, urging them to include support of passage of the ERA in their national platforms. 1970 At a BPW Legislative Conference, Sena tor Birch Bayh (D-IN) announces that the first formal ERA hearings in the Senate in a dozen years will be held in May.

At the hearings, BPW President Myra Ruth Harmon is the first witness to testify on behalf of the ERA after Members of Congress speak. The ERA passes the House of Representatives. 1971 BPW leaders again testify before Congress in favor of the ERA. 1972 On March 22,1972, the ERA passes the Senate, with a tallied vote of 84-8. Hours later, Hawaii becomes the first state to ratify.

Within thirty days, a total of sixteen states ratify and by the end of year, the total exceeds thirty states. 1974 Maine, Montana, and Ohio ratify, bringing the tally up to thirty-three. Several states attempt to rescind their ratification of the ERA; however, the Supreme Court will have ultimate authority to rule on the Constitutionality of these efforts. 1975 North Dakota ratifies. BPW members approve a bylaws change allocating $1.50 from each member's annual dues to the ERA Ratification Fund, amounting to more than a quarter of a million dollars.

First Lady Betty Ford actively supports BPWs ERA ratification effort. 1976 BPW establishes ERAmerica the national campaign working for ratification. 1977 President Jimmy Carter announces his intention to "use the influence of the see that the Equal Rights Amendment becomes law." BPW co-sponsors the Women's Equality Day March, and more than 3,000 women march on Washington in support of ERA. March is Women's History month. DIANE M.

DAUBENECK Insurance Agent CALFARM INSURANCE DAUBENECK INSURANCE SERVICES 643-A S. Main Ukiah 462-3276 Fax 462-3316 e-mail: dianedOpacific.net A fifth generation native Ukiahan, Diane has owned her own insurance agency for 18 yean, serving Mendodno County. She Is an independent contractor of CalFarm Insurance and is a multi-line agent which seHs and services all types of Insurance products. Diane tackles the dally chaHenges in her industry and prides herself in finding solutions to her client's needs no matter how small or how large. Locally, she is very active with Mendoclno Bounty, serves on the City of Uklah Design Review and Grant Advisory Committee.

She loves to cook and has passion for tennis and skiing. GAYLE FILLMAN Aikido Owner PEACEFUL INTERVENTIONS Harmony At Work P. O. Box 2, Ukiah 462-5141 Qayie holds the rank of Qodan degree) Mack belt In Aikido. She has been teaching and studying Aittdo for 30 years and is the owner and instructor for Ukiah Aikido.

She has a Master's Degree in Fine Arts and a Bachelor's Degree In Physical Education, Art and History. Qayte consults with many security teams in various circumstances as wed as working with business, schools, government agencies and Native American tribes throughout tie U. S. in fields of workplace safety, personal protection, self defense and Model Mugging. Her new company, Peaceful Interventions, Is a program that offers a thorough understanding of the causes and prevention of violence.

Another BPW To achieve equity for all women in the workplace through advocacy, education, and information. ji Woman POWIT 1978 Thirty-five of the required thirty-eight states have ratified and, in July, ERA advocates march again on Washington in support of the ERA. 1979 BPW calls on Congress to extend the ERA's ratification deadline. Congress agrees and passes an extension until June 30,1982. i In May, 1980, a "March for Equality" attracts nearly 185,000 ERA supporters in Illinois.

1981 BPW unveils a media campaign, "One Year and Counting," at national convention. 1982 On June 30,1982, the ERA's ratification deadline passes, but supporters refuse to give up and the amendment is re-introduced in the House of Representatives, with 221 co-sponsors. 1983 The ERA is re-introduced in the new Congress and in each subsequent Congress. 1990'S 1992 BPW helpS Or 8 the ERA Summit to reinvigorate the ratification effort. 1993 Legislation is introduced In the House of Representatives to have Congress ignore the 1982 deadline and recognize ratification of the ERA should the legislatures of three states ratify the amendment the "three state strategy." 1994 BPW continues to actively support the new strategy and is critical to gaining co-sponsors of the legislation in Congress.

1996 The Congressional Research Service issues a report supporting the "three state strategy." Scholarship Bernadine Whipple Bernadine Whipple, is now attending Humboldt State College as a result of her hard work, perseverance, and a little help from BPW's Scholarship Program. She received a $500 scholarship from Ukiah BPW. Whipple held down three jobs and managed to keep a 3-06 grade average at Mendocino College. This remarkable young mother of three was also involved in a number of community organizations and projects including the Native American Student Organization, Child Development Club, Math, Engineering, Science and Achievement Program, and the Inter Club Council. She also found time to work with local native dance troupes.

Bernadine is a psychology major who hopes to major in Native American studies. She displayed great modesty while her credits were being read and remarked in her acceptance speech. "One of my instructors told me that all this hard work would pay off, and I am leaving for Humboldt State this weekend.".