VP Elect Harris, still not equal under the law

Without question women have made progress–and we celebrate our first Black and Asian American woman Vice President. While this is a historic first, VP Harris is unfortunately not equal to men in the Constitution. You can make a big impact in ending sex discrimination by supporting the ERA Coalition.

The ERA Coalition and our sister organization Fund for Women’s Equality, is a growing coalition of over 115 diverse organizations across the country, representing millions of people. We center our work on those most vulnerable to systemic sexism and racism: Black and Indigenous women, women of color, and all genders and gender expressions. We advocate in Congress, the courts, and the states to move the 28th Amendment forward. The ERA Amendment was passed by Congress in 1972; in 2020 Virginia became the 38th and final state needed to ratify. All conditions have been met to enshrine the 28th Amendment, but we have some important hurdles to overcome in 2021. We are very close to finally adding women into the Constitution.

Double your donation!

Please consider making a donation on or before Giving Day — Tuesday, December 1st. In honor of the proposed 28th Amendment, one of our donors has generously offered to match gifts, dollar for dollar, up to $28,000.

Some people have a bucket list; I have a “tombstone” list. It’s the things that I did in my life that I would want to be remembered for and carved on my tombstone for all to see. Similar to Rosa Parks’ epitaph which reads: “Mother of the Civil Rights Movement” Mine will include: Passed the Equal Rights Amendment in Illinois. While my accomplishment is small compared to Ms. Parks’ bravery and leadership to be sure, the Equal Rights Amendment is the fight of today. We need your support to continue to fight to right the wrongs of the past when the Constitution intentionally left all women (including Black, Indigenous and women of color) unprotected by the law.

Giving Thanks

This morning we all got teary in the office when we read this note from a donor responding to our upcoming Gen Z town Hall:

I sent $48 representing the number of years I have been involved in this fight.

It brings tears to my eyes to know that Gen Z has taken up the banner and will see it through!

Continue your good work!

Sisterhood is powerful!

We are so grateful for the gift, the words, and the work.

What the Upcoming Election in Georgia Means

This presidential election meant a lot to many Americans. While most Americans were throwing themselves at the chance to vote, my mom didn’t. At least not right away.

My mom came to the United States from Iran, where one’s voice and vote are not nearly as momentous as they are here. Whatever politicians want will happen anyway, at least in Iran. But even since becoming an American, my mom has never been troubled to vote, which troubles me.

In Memory of our Trans Sisters…

What a year 2020 has been.

I serve on the board of the ERA Coalition, a coalition big enough to include trans women of color who bear the brunt of our country’s misogyny, racism and transphobia. Today we mark the 21st International Day of Transgender Remembrance, the annual day we honor the memory of the transgender and gender-nonconforming people whose lives were viciously cut short due to anti-trans violence. This year, 34 people were killed, a record high, and the majority of whom were Black and Brown transgender women. This is heartbreaking. It needs to stop.