ERA Reunion

On March 31, 2000, an Equal Rights Amendment Campaign reunion brought together those who were part of the 1972-1982 campaign to ratify the ERA with those who wish they could have been. The reunion saluted dozens of leaders and campaign volunteers from the ratified states.

FMF President Eleanor Smeal and ERA national field organizer Alice Cohan are joined on stage by ERA to celebrate the campaign and sing ERA fight songs. Photo by Jennifer Warburg.

The ERA reunion brought together several generations of feminist activists, as those who participated in the 1972-1982 campaign called upon the younger activists in the audience to join them in a renewed struggle for constitutional equality.


Special Guests and Performances
The ERA reunion opened with a rocking performance by BETTY, an all-woman band. Actors Sharon Gless and Tyne Daly, of "Cagey & Lacey," inspired the audience to continue the fight for equality, sharing stories of personal empowerment from ERA campaign days. Veteran musical duo Holly Near (right, photo by Stuart Zolotorow)) and Ronnie Gilbert (left, photo by D. Thomsen) performed movement favorites, including "I Am Woman." In an unforgettable moment, Molly Yard took to the stage, and in her strong voice addressed the crowd as only Molly Yard can. Seasoned ERA campaigners and the next generation of feminist activists were equally inspired to continue to work for women's equality and full representation under the law.