Write4Rights

On January 27, 2020 the Equal Rights Amendment became fully-ratified and went from having a name to having a number: 28.

Although the Department of Justice temporarily blocked the National Archivist from certifying the 28th Amendment, one administration cannot halt America’s progress toward equality forever. In 2021 we simply need congressional action to formally recognize the 28th Amendment so our National Archivist, David Ferriero, will do his ministerial duty and certify the 28th Amendment and publish an updated Constitution.

We need your assistance to amplify the issue of gender equality. On and around January 27th, equality advocates nationwide will come together to educate and inspire Americans to take action and ensure our 28th Amendment is added to the Constitution. Some will choose to write on their social media accounts and others will write letters to the editor / OpEds for their local papers. Some advocates may write in teams and others may be ghost writers for a local leader.

All are welcome to show up in their own unique way and the pieces will be as varied as the Americans writing them. The talking points below provide a selection topics and data points related to gender equality in America. Our one request is that you include a call to action for your reader. If you are writing for friends / neighbors here are a few samples:

• We elected equality leaders and now must hold them accountable. Please contact our legislators (provide contact information) to let them know we want gender equality in the Constitution.
• Add your voice to the calls for constitutional gender equality. Contact our legislators here (add contact information).

Samples when writing for a legislator:

• Gender equality is important to our district. Please support a resolution to recognize the 28th Amendment (Equal Rights) in the first 100 days of the 117th congressional session.

Use your own credentials to sign your letter, for example: Betty Rubble, President of the Bedrock PTA.

To increase your impact as a writer, please see our “Writing to Influence” page, which includes a sample letter. Additional assistance including a link to our editing team standing by to help can be found on our "Write a Letter to the Editor" page.

Don't forget to tag VoteEqualityUS us on social media posts (and let us know when you submit for publication) to be included in a drawing for prizes.

Ranking America on Gender Equality

• From the FAQ “International Standing”
  • Political gender parity in the United States is ranked 11th from the bottom for all countries in the Americas and Europe. The U.S. ranked 72 out of 82 countries in total.
  • The gender equality gap is expected to close (on average, across all countries) in 99.5 years, the gender equality gap in America is not expected to close for 208 years. Although nobody living today will see gender equality in their lifetime, we can work to ensure constitutional gender equality now.
  • In 2018, the United States was ranked as the 10th most dangerous country in the world for women. We tied for third with Syria for countries where women most risked sexual violence, harassment and coercion into sex, and sixth regarding non-sexual violence such as domestic and mental abuse.
  • America no longer ranks within the top third of countries when ranked on gender equality.
  • Gender equality is included in 168 international constitutions but not in ours.

• From the FAQ “Pregnancy Discrimination“
  • The United States is one of only two countries in the world that does not mandate paid leave and at the current rate of adoption it will take 150 years for everyone in the United States to have paid leave.