Between 1977 and 1978, the fight to extend the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) deadline unfolded in the halls of Congress and across the nation. With intense lobbying, impassioned speeches, and a wave of grassroots activism, lawmakers and advocates pushed forward despite strong opposition. Women members of Congress, significantly outnumbered at the time, led a sophisticated and determined effort to keep the ERA alive, reshaping the conversation on gender equality in America.
The Fight for the ERA Extension
The Birth of the Equal Rights Amendment
The Equal Rights Amendment, first drafted by suffragist Alice Paul in 1923, aimed to guarantee equal rights for men and women under the law. Though introduced in Congress that same year, it faced decades of resistance. In 1970, Representative Martha Griffiths of Michigan managed to push the amendment to the House floor, marking a major breakthrough.
Despite strong initial support—22 states ratified the ERA in the first year—momentum slowed as conservative opposition grew. By 1977, only 33 of the required 38 states had ratified the amendment, while four attempted to rescind their approval. With the seven-year ratification window set to close, a pressing question emerged: could Congress extend the deadline?
Elizabeth Holtzman’s Strategic Leadership
In 1972, Elizabeth Holtzman stunned the political establishment by unseating longtime Judiciary Committee Chair Emanuel Celler. An outspoken advocate for women’s rights, Holtzman turned the committee from an ERA roadblock into a battleground for revival.
By 1977, she became a leading voice in the newly formed Congresswomen’s Caucus, alongside Representative Margaret Heckler. Their mission was clear: secure an extension to the ERA deadline before time ran out.
Building the Coalition
Holtzman, with help from civil rights leader Barbara Jordan and Judiciary Chair Peter Rodino, convinced Speaker of the House Thomas “Tip” O’Neill to back the extension effort. They mobilized bipartisan support and introduced House Joint Resolution 638, a bill to extend the ERA’s ratification window.
Beyond Congress, feminist leaders like Eleanor Smeal of the National Organization for Women (NOW) rallied public support, urging women across the country to pressure their representatives. The Congresswomen’s Caucus employed cutting-edge organizing strategies—including detailed vote tracking and targeted lobbying—to shift the political tide in their favor.
A National Protest Ignites Action
On July 9, 1978, the fight for the ERA extension took to the streets of Washington, D.C. Tens of thousands of supporters, dressed in white to honor suffragists before them, marched on the National Mall. Activists—including Gloria Steinem, Betty Friedan, and former Congresswoman Bella Abzug—demanded action from Congress.
Addressing the crowd, Representative Barbara Mikulski warned, “We must be prepared for a very long haul.” Protesters then flooded congressional offices with calls and letters, making it clear that failing to extend the deadline would have political consequences.
Intense Congressional Debate
Inside Congress, opposition forces, led by Representative Thomas Railsback and anti-feminist activist Phyllis Schlafly, sought to block the extension. Schlafly dismissed the effort as unfair, likening it to “a losing football team demanding a fifth quarter.”
After fierce debate, the House Judiciary Committee narrowly approved an extension—but only after reducing it from seven years to 39 months. The final vote was 19 to 15, setting the stage for a full House showdown.
The House Vote: A Hard-Fought Victory
On August 15, 1978, the ERA extension reached the House floor. More than 100 lawmakers debated for seven hours, with women representatives making a powerful case for equality. Congresswoman Gladys Spellman declared, “It is inconceivable that in 1978, we are still debating equality for half the population.”
Amid rising tensions, Representative Barbara Jordan directly responded to Mississippi Congressman Trent Lott, stating, “Women have endured agony and ecstasy all their lives, and we will continue to do so until equal rights are enshrined in the Constitution.”
When the final vote was cast, the House passed the extension 233 to 189, igniting cheers from supporters in the gallery.
The Senate’s Decision
The battle was not yet over. The Senate took up the measure on October 20, 1978, facing similar opposition. But after persistent advocacy, the extension was approved 60 to 36, granting the ERA until 1982 to reach full ratification.
The Legacy of the ERA Extension Fight
Although the ERA ultimately failed to secure the necessary 38 state ratifications by 1982, the battle for gender equality did not end. The strategic efforts of Holtzman, the Congresswomen’s Caucus, and feminist activists reshaped the national conversation on women’s rights and demonstrated the power of grassroots activism.
Elizabeth Holtzman later reflected, “We won despite their efforts.” While the ERA’s journey remains unfinished, the fight to extend its deadline remains a testament to the determination of those who refused to let history move backward.
References
- Congressional Record, House, 95th Cong., 2nd sess. (15 August 1978): 26198, 26219, 26225.
- “The Honorable Elizabeth Holtzman Oral History Interview,” Office of the Historian, U.S. House of Representatives (10 March 2016). Available online.
- “The Honorable Mary Rose Oakar Oral History Interview,” Office of the Historian, U.S. House of Representatives (2 March 2017). Available online.
- Atlanta Constitution, 16 August 1978.
- Baltimore Sun, 19 July 1978.
- Chicago Tribune, 11 June 1978, 10 July 1978, 16 August 1978.
- Los Angeles Times, 24 October 1977, 5 June 1978, 8 October 1978.
- New York Times, 22 March 1972, 19 July 1978.
- Washington Post, 11 August 1970, 19 May 1978, 10 July 1978, 11 July 1978, 19 July 1978, 16 August 1978.
- Gertzog, Irwin N. Congressional Women: Their Recruitment, Integration, and Behavior. Westport, CT: Praeger, 1989.
