According to Jewish legend, humanity’s first woman was Lilith — said to be the biblical Adam’s first wife, even before Eve. As the story goes, in the earliest days of Creation, she pointed out to Adam: “The two of us are equal, since we are both from the earth!” Sadly, this promise is far from realized and our work to fight for equality has never been more important.

As you may know, the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) is a proposed amendment to the US Constitution that guarantees equal rights to all people regardless of sex. The ERA has progressed through the ratification process for decades and the Commonwealth of Virginia ratified the ERA in 2020, meeting the required number of 38 states for ratification. Now all that is left is for the ERA to be put into the US Constitution at the direction of President Biden. It is within President Biden’s authority and responsibility to instruct the National Archivist to publish the ERA in the Constitution. 

Putting the ERA into the Constitution is one of the most critical actions President Biden can take in his remaining days in public office, codifying an essential protection for women, girls, and the LGBTQ+ community. The ERA, which provides an explicit prohibition against discrimination on the basis of sex, would help ensure no one faces discrimination just because of their gender and help protect against injustices such as gender-based violence, the banning of birth control, and unequal pay for women. As Jews, we believe we should always be striving for our vision of a more whole world, and publishing the ERA is a critical step in that direction.

Tell President Biden to cement his legacy as an advocate for women and families and put the ERA into the Constitution as the 28th Amendment!

Call the White House comment line at 202-456-1111 and read the following script:

Dear President Biden, 

My name is ______ and I am calling to you today from _______ as an advocate with National Council of Jewish Women.

As you may know, the Equal Rights Amendment is a proposed amendment to the US Constitution that guarantees equal rights to all people regardless of sex. The ERA has been ratified by 38 states, the required number for a constitutional amendment. Now, it is within your authority and responsibility to instruct the National Archivist to publish the ERA in the Constitution. 

The ERA prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex and would help protect against injustices such as gender-based violence, the banning of birth control, and unequal pay for women. As Jews, we believe we should always be striving for our vision of a more whole world, and publishing the ERA is a critical step in that direction.

I urge you, President Biden, cement your legacy as an advocate for women and families and put the ERA into the Constitution as the 28th Amendment!

Thank you.