Congresswoman, ERA Chair Pat Schroeder Speaks Out !

Former Congresswoman and our Alliance Board Chair, Pat Schroeder

MEDIA ADVISORY* for IMMEDIATE RELEASE 12/8/09
Former Congresswoman Speaks Out
CONTACT: Sandy Oestreich, President-Founder, Florida’s Equal Rights Alliance
727 393-0932, (unlisted) or RatifyERA@cs.com

Former U.S. Congresswoman Patricia Schroeder Calls for Florida’s Legislators to End their Dithering on Equal Treatment for Men and Women (ERA)
"If a woman is running to be in the White House, shouldn't she be in the Constitution of the United States?" "If a woman is running a platoon in Afghanistan, shouldn't she be in the Constitution?" Tired of waiting for Florida and the United States to join much of the world, and speaking now as a constituent, former U.S. Congresswoman Patricia Schroeder will champion passage of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) in Kissimmee.

Public and Media are invited. Info: 407 943-3077
WHERE: Osceola County Legislative Delegation
County Commission Chambers, 4th floor
2 Courthouse Square, Kissimmee, Florida 34741
WHEN: Friday, December 18, sometime between 1 - 4 pm

The Honorable Patricia Schroeder, 24-year member of the U.S. Congress and the former Chairwoman of the Congressional Caucus on Women's Issues and ERA Board Chair says, "There is no more important issue for the majority, America's women, than having their equality guaranteed by the Constitution like almost everyone else has. Florida's legislators have been dithering about the Equal Rights Amendment for going on EIGHT years!" With often as many as 49 of Florida’s 160 legislators cosponsoring, each legislative session the Florida House still refuses to hear the ERA bill or make appointments with proponents.

ERA barely missed passing years ago. It still needs just 3 more states to vote YES on ERA bills--including Florida, then it can pass into the U.S. Constitution. 35 states have already vetted and voted for ERA. So, what could Florida find wrong with it? It’s a win-win for males, too; and the economy. Should the United States be one of the last developed nations to guarantee over half their citizens equality in its Constitution?

The Equal Rights Amendment says: Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex [that's "gender" in today's language]. No strings attached, “it is incredible how many lies have been told about the ERA”, says Congresswoman Pat Schroeder.

ERA just puts into writing the fundamental moral American Value of Equality for All.
Why are our Florida legislators holding out on ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment?

WHO COULD BE AGAINST EQUALITY FOR ALL AMERICANS?

*Throughout the state, Florida’s Legislative Delegations are currently hearing the same request from their constituents. Ask for a Media Statement with the Congresswoman’s bio or ERA info.