Equal Rights Amendment

Definition

The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) was a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution that aimed to guarantee equal legal rights for all American citizens regardless of sex. It sought to end the legal distinctions between men and women in terms of divorce, property, employment, and other matters.

Analogy

Think of the ERA like a referee in a soccer game. Just as a referee ensures that all players are treated equally and play by the same rules, the ERA aimed to ensure that all citizens have equal rights under law, irrespective of their gender.

Related terms

19th Amendment: This amendment granted women the right to vote in 1920.

Title IX: A federal civil rights law passed as part of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 which prohibits sex-based discrimination in any school or other education program that receives federal money.

Women's Suffrage Movement: The fight for women's voting rights from mid-19th century until 1920 when it culminated with passage of 19th amendment.