Hawaii's U.S. Rep. Hirono joins rally to re-introduce ERA

Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) joined fellow Representatives Carolyn B. Maloney (D-N.Y.) and Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) and a number of leading women's advocacy groups in a Capitol Hill rally on July 21 to re-introduce the Equal Rights Amendment.

"Many contend that the Equal Rights Amendment is not needed because the 14th Amendment to the Constitution guarantees equal protection under the law for citizens of the United States," said Hirono. "It is important to remember, however, that the 14th Amendment was ratified in 1868, but women were routinely denied the right to vote until 1920. The 19th Amendment, ratified in 1920, specifically addressed the right of women to vote. The ERA simply prohibits denying or abridging equality of rights under the law by the United States or by any state on account of a person's gender."

Following a half-century of debate and deliberation, the U.S. Senate and House finally passed the ERA in March of 1972.  Hawaii was the first state to ratify the ERA, with the state legislature unanimously voting favorably for the measure within an hour of U.S. Senate passage. However, ratification by 38 states over a seven-year period is needed to amend the constitution. 

Although Congress extended the deadline by three years in 1982, only 35 states ratified the ERA.  Now, the process must begin all over again.