Feminist activists, journalists, and authors, Gloria Steinem and Dorothy Pitman Hughes, announced the release of a limited-edition charity T-shirt, “Gloria and Dorothy’s Equal Rights Now Tee,” to raise funds to support the growing momentum behind passage of the long-sought-for Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). ERA supporters across the U.S. are joining Steinem and Pitman Hughes, posting their own fist-pumping photos on Instagram and Twitter with the hashtag #equalrightsnow.
The ERA is a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution. That would expressly prohibit discrimination against girls and women on the basis of gender. Today, the Constitution does not guarantee equal rights for women. As the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia stated: “Certainly the Constitution does not require discrimination on the basis of sex. The only issue is whether it prohibits it. It doesn’t.”
Gloria Steinem, Dorothy Pitman Hughes iconic t-shirt to support equal rights amendment
Celebrities recreate iconic photo, 100% of net proceeds to ERA Coalition
In the 46 years since the photo was taken. Steinem and Pitman Hughes continue to advocate for the ERA and are inspiring support across generations of women and men. Gillian Anderson, Patricia Arquette, Kristin Bauer, Kelen Coleman, Lena Dunham, America Ferrara, Jane Fonda, Josh Gad, Chelsea Handler, Christine Lahti, Cyndi Lauper, Debra Messing, Bette Midler, Jennifer Morrison, Amy Schumer, Rainn Wilson, Joss Whedon, Jamia Wilson and Robin Wright are among the celebrities. Who have taken to Twitter and Instagram to share photos of themselves wearing the T-shirts. As well as raising their fists in solidarity.
The ERA will protect women’s rights
Since the 2016 presidential election, support for the ERA is surging. As growing numbers of Americans seek to address pay inequity, pregnancy discrimination, and gender-based violence. 94 percent of Americans polled in a 2016 survey said they would support an amendment to the U.S. Constitution. That guarantees equal rights for both men and women.
Women’s Equality Day
Women’s Equality Day was originally created in 1971 by Rep. Bella Abzug of New York City. To commemorate the 1920 certification of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution. Which granted women the right to vote.
Gloria Steinem, Dorothy Pitman Hughes iconic t-shirt to support equal rights amendment
Women’s Equality Day not only commemorates the passage of the 19th Amendment. But it also calls attention to the movement for passage of the Equal Rights Amendment. Which will guarantee equality under the Constitution for women and girls.
