The Athena Society was formed in 1976 to help pass the Equal Rights Amendment and improve the status of women.
Nearly 50 years later, Tampa Bay nonprofits are still fighting for their cause. Zakia Thomas, President and CEO of the National ERA Coalition and the Women’s Equality Fund, announced the Athena Society’s ERA at Community Action Committee-sponsored and sponsored events.
Headquartered in Washington, DC, the National ERA Coalition is made up of more than 280 national and regional partners and support organizations representing millions of advocates nationwide.
Developing a strategy to move the ERA toward final passage, Thomas encouraged the women in attendance to “talk to people outside your bubble.” I emphasized that talking alone is not the way to change your mind and thoughts.
“The internet silos divided us and then COVID came,” she said. “Talk directly to people.”
Congress originally passed the ERA in 1972, but three-quarters of the states had to ratify the ERA to amend the constitution. The first deadline he extended until 1982. In 2020, Virginia became her 38th state to ratify, though decades past the deadline. Supporters of the bill say Congress has the power to extend the deadline yet again and make the ERA happen. Florida has not ratified the ERA. D-Tampa Rep. Fentris Driskel, the incoming House Democratic leader, previously introduced legislation to ratify the ERA, but it did not pass Congress.
According to the National ERA Coalition website, the organization’s goal is to amend the constitution to end gender discrimination. The organization develops strategies with states seeking ratification and works with legislators on amendments and other ERA bills. The Coalition has a team of legal scholars conducting research and considering next steps towards a fully realized ERA.
The January 4th event raised the issue of increasing engagement among young women. The organizers of the event said some of the young women she contacted about attending the event either felt they didn’t need the ERA anymore or believed it had already passed.
Thomas said the ERA Coalition’s survey showed that 85% of those surveyed believed that ERA was already in place. Thomas concluded with words of encouragement.
“My goal tonight is to leave you with hope,” she said.
For more information, see Athena Society and ERA Coalition.
