Equality For Women

A white equal sign with curved white text below it on a blue background. 

It is likely that this button dates from the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) debates in the 1970s. The ERA was an attempt to constitutionally ensure equal rights to women. The 1970s effort for an ERA was not new; it was first brought to Congress in the 1920s. However, it was the first time the amendment had passed both the House and the Senate. The passing vote occurred in 1972, and the states were given seven years to ratify the amendment. The amendment fell short of ratification by three states in 1977 and five states rescinded their ratification by the 1979 deadline.