On Support for Equal Rights Amendment

1975 NCTE Annual Business Meeting in San Diego, California

Background The Equal Rights Amendment to the United States Constitution was written in 1923.  Since the time it was released by Congress to the various states for ratification in 1971, 34 states have ratified it.  For the amendment to become law, four additional states must also ratify it.  The passage of the Equal Rights Amendment will benefit women in the English teaching profession by equalizing their financial and promotional opportunities, while at the same time enhancing their status as professionals.  Since the majority of English teachers are women, both NCTE and the English teaching profession stand to benefit from such legislation. Be it therefore Resolution Resolved, that the National Council of Teachers of English urge affiliates in those states which have not ratified the Equal Rights Amendment to press for ratification;           that the steps affiliates take include thorough, informed discussion of the ERA at meetings and in publications leading, if it is deemed appropriate, to a resolution or other position statement in support of the ERA;           that copies of position statements be sent to all state legislators in those states with a statement that the record of the vote will be reported to all affiliate members; and           that in cases where affiliates cannot afford the entire cost of duplicating and mailing statements to legislators, insofar as its resources permit, NCTE share the cost.