Equal Rights Amendment

American  

noun

1. ERA.

---

Equal Rights Amendment Cultural  

1. A twice-proposed but never ratified amendment to the Constitution that would prohibit denial or abridgement of rights on the basis of sex. First proposed in 1923, the amendment was passed by Congress in 1972 but failed ratification by the requisite number of states. It was a major rallying point of the women's movement.

---

Example Sentences

President Joe Biden stated Friday that he believes the Equal Rights Amendment, which guarantees equal rights for women, to be "the law of the land."

From Salon • Jan. 17, 2025

In Nevada, voters ratified the Equal Rights Amendment for the state constitution, which already protected abortion access and now does so under the state’s commitment to gender equality.

From Slate • Oct. 30, 2024

Wade was overturned, Nevada voters passed a sweeping version of the Equal Rights Amendment, adding protections to the state’s constitution against discrimination based on sex.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 19, 2024

She also was sent on important official missions to Latin America and was part of the unsuccessful campaign for ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S.

From Reuters • Nov. 19, 2023

She supported the Equal Rights Amendment, proposed in 1923; Congress passed the bill in 1912, but it was never ratified by three-fourths of the states.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling