What amendment did Alice Paul promote to end gender discrimination? The answer lies in the historic push for the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), a constitutional amendment that aimed to guarantee equal legal rights for all citizens regardless of sex. As a leading suffragist and feminist, Alice Paul played a pivotal role in advocating for this amendment, which remains a significant milestone in the fight for gender equality in the United States.
Alice Paul was born on January 11, 1885, in Mount Laurel, New Jersey. She was an influential figure in the women’s suffrage movement and the broader struggle for gender equality. After studying at New York University and the Sorbonne in Paris, Paul returned to the United States in 1910, where she joined the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA).
In 1913, Paul organized the first Women’s Procession in Washington, D.C., which attracted thousands of women and gained national attention. This event marked the beginning of her campaign to push for the ERA. In 1923, Paul founded the National Woman’s Party (NWP), an organization dedicated to achieving full equality for women through the amendment process.
The Equal Rights Amendment was first introduced in Congress in 1923, and it was proposed again in 1943, 1953, and 1962. The amendment stated:
“Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.”
Alice Paul tirelessly lobbied for the ERA, traveling across the country to educate the public and gather support. Her efforts paid off in 1972 when the amendment was finally passed by Congress and sent to the states for ratification.
To become part of the Constitution, the ERA required ratification by three-fourths of the states. While it received the necessary support from 35 states, it fell short of the required 38 states by 1982, when the deadline for ratification expired.
Despite the failure to ratify the ERA, Alice Paul’s work and the efforts of the NWP laid the groundwork for future battles for gender equality. The amendment’s legacy can be seen in the passage of landmark legislation such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Title IX Educational Amendments of 1972, and the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978.
Alice Paul passed away on July 9, 1977, but her legacy continues to inspire advocates for gender equality. The fight for the ERA is far from over, as supporters continue to push for ratification by the remaining states. What amendment did Alice Paul promote to end gender discrimination? The answer is the Equal Rights Amendment, a powerful tool that remains a beacon of hope for achieving true equality for all.
