We had, as expected, a great show today. Perhaps the one greatest result of PPTS today was given to us by our Special Guest, Sandy Oestreich, President of the National Equal Rights Alliance.
Our discussion today focused on just one example of what one person can do to be the change they seek. Sandy comes to my mind immediately when I consider this proposition. She encourages and inspires me, and the hundreds of thousands of other American citizens who know, and share in her work to finally pass an Equal Rights Amendment to give women equality under the Constitution of the USA.
There are currently only three (3) States needed to ratify this Amendment to our Constitution, and Sandy can truly "feel" the groundswell that will make this work a reality in her lifetime. She believes (and, as she is THE expert on this topic, I must defer to her belief) that there actually ARE three States positioned to ratify the ERA, during the upcoming legislative sessions across America. Follow me just below the squiggledoodlethingey fold for some information, and something very real that you can do to help bring Equal Rights for women to our Constitution THIS YEAR!
It was my distinct pleasure to have a conversation today with Mrs. Sandy Oestreich, President of the National Equality Alliance, who has been a prime leader in the fight to bring an Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) to our federal Constitution. It was a lively time of sharing, with a passionate believer in a cause that matters. Sandy has been principally involved with this issue for more than eighteen (18) years, having begun her leadership work on ERA at the young age of 60. She has assembled a cadre of more than 300,000 concerned men and women who are working to get the last three State legislatures required to complete the task. On our show today, Sandy gave us a short history, a brief update, and a Call To Action for her work. The following is a direct quote from a letter I received from her regarding the short-term future for the ERA in one State (Florida), and the short-term plans for two other States poised to ratify (Virginia and Nevada! Talk about fearless leadership!) the ERA.
"President Obama says the Equal Rights Amendment is a priority. He wants to ensure that every American, regardless of gender, has the chance to get ahead. He reminds us that he advocates for the passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act and the woman-protective Violence Against Women Act, and fights for life-saving preventive care and contraception.
Gender equality isn't just a moral issue, or a "women's issue." It matters for all of us, the President says."
Of course, as a devoted
ERA Feminist, Sandy (The 2014 "
Woman of Distinction" by the American Association of University Women) is grateful for, and listens closely to the President's words--but believes his action (or inaction in this particular case).
She needs your help to ""urge" the State Legislatures of Florida, Nevada and Virginia to ratify the ERA in 2014. There is an active boycott of all Florida tourism activities by
her several groups, until such time as the ERA is passed and ratified. Petitions are circulating, adddressed to every single legislative committee member who has promised a hearing in this legislative session, with hundreds of thousands of signatures from across the country (This is federal legislation, not State. Every signature counts!), and there are numerous opportunities to positively interact with boh supporters and adversaries to the ERA in Florida, Nevada and Virginia (as we "speak".
There are addresses you can write, and phone numbers you can call to express YOUR support of an ERA right now. Comment below if you are willing to do something about it, today.
Of course, you can listen to the episode, or listen and call-in live on tonight's "JibberYour Jabber" tonight, beginning at 9:00 PM (Pacific Time), when Sandy will be our Special Guest for a continuing conversation about passage of ERA in 2014.
Thank you Sandy, for your leadership, devotion, passion and energy on behalf of more than 51% of America's citizens: Women!