The 1977 National Women’s Conference was held in Houston, Texas. At the conference 2,005 state delegates recommended to Congress and the President how to advance women’s rights. Delegates adopted a 26-plank national plan, addressing issues such as career interests, rights for minority women, and the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA).
It took 49 years for Congress to pass the ERA after it was first introduced in 1923 as a way to end discrimination against women. But getting through Congress was only half the battle. Supporters believed it would provide full equality for women; opponents considered it unnecessary, and some believed it destructive of the family.
Led by Phyllis Schlafly, STOP ERA organized quickly, arguing that the ERA would hurt women and families. With a coalition of traditional family and “protectionist” supporters, STOP ERA worked to prevent ratification. In 1972 the amendment passed both houses of Congress but fell three states short of the requisite number of votes (three-fourths of states) for ratification.
