Lutheran Student Movement-USA
1978
78-10Resolution to Extend the Time Limit of the Era
Background
Women have historically been discriminated against in American civil law ever since the Constitution was adopted. This has been only sporadically dealt with by Congress. At present, Congress has passed the Equal Rights Amendment and it requires only three more states to ratify it. Time is getting short—the deadline of March, 1979 is approaching and an extension is needed. We believe that every government is subject to God’s demand that all people be treated justly. The Church has a divinely mandated responsibility to call the government to pursue justice by guaranteeing civil rights to all people, male and female. The ERA would set in the American constitution the principle that “equality of rights under law shall not be abridged on account of sex.” We would therefore like to affirm these beliefs.
Resolved
1) That LSM-USA does hereby express its support both for the Equal Rights Amendment and the extension of the time limit for its ratification.
2) That LSM-USA declares itself in sympathy with the cause of women’s rights both nationally and internationally.
3) That by the adoption of this resolution, local LSM groups commit themselves to write letters urging the passage of the extension to:
a. Vice-President Mondale,
b. The Democratic majority leader and whip,
c. The Republican minority leader and whip,
d. Their own individual U.S. Senators.
4) That by the adoption of this resolution, local LSM groups (particularly those in states which have not yet ratified the ERA) commit themselves to write letters urging the ratification of the ERA to representatives of state legislatures which have not yet ratifies the ERA.
5) That the newly elected executive committee of LSM-USA be directed by the adoption of this resolution to send letters with copies of this resolution to:
a. Vice-President Mondale,
b. The Democratic majority leader and whip,
c. The Republican minority leader and whip.
6) That LSM-USA direct its national council and national conference planning group not to schedule national conferences in those states who have not ratified the ERA.
Appendix I
Since the adoption of the American Constitution, American women have been seeking full exercise of their “inalienable rights.” In the nineteenth century, this took the form of working for Women’s Suffrage. The Suffrage Amendment was passed by congress and ratified by the requisite number of states. The Equal Rights Amendment introduced in 1923, suffered from neglect and repeated defeat in the U.S. Congress. In March, 1972, it was finally passed and sent to the states to be ratified. The ERA needs only three more ratification s to become part of the American Constitution, but time is fast running out and state legislatures move slowly. An extension of the time limit is needed. The House of Representatives has already voted to extend this limit, but the Senate must now do the same. Anti-ERA forces are rallying and additional debate on the ERA is needed.
Women have in the past relied on voting, judicial interpretation, and legal precedents in trying to assert their rights under the law. These methods have, however, proved to be both ineffectual and impractical. Politicians, once elected, tend to forget about campaign convictions or prejudices of the judge presiding. S the goal has now focused on a Constitutional amendment which will be more effective than relying on scattered politicians or judges.
The LSM-USA Ninth Annual National Conference has as its theme “Proclaim the Promise” in the study of “The Magnificent,” which is Mary’s psalm of praise. We are, therefore, examining the changing roles of women in the Bible and the early and modern churches. We are exploring the many myths which have arisen through both ignorance and the desire for male supremacy. Some of us arrived at the conference with the conviction that no difference between men and women, whether biological or cultural, is great enough to not allow full exercise of civil rights and responsibilities by women. Some of us discovered this through talks given at the conference or through discussion with small groups.