On August 26, 1920 the 19th Amendment became the law of the land. The victory came after 56 national referendum campaigns, 480 efforts to get state legislatures to allow suffrage referenda, 47 campaigns at state constitutional conventions, 277 attempts to put suffrage in state party programs, and 19 campaigns to get the 19th Amendment through Congress.

Feminists. led by Alice Paul (WFF's s/hero, the first person to picket the White House) believed that getting the vote would mean that the Equal Rights Amendment wouldn't be far behind. Authored by Paul, and first introduced in 1923, the Amendment read: "Men and women shall have equal rights throughout the United States and in every place subject to its jurisdiction." Wording was changed in 1943 (see below). The Amendment passed out of Congress in 1972, but fell 3 states short of the 38 needed for ratification before the arbitrary deadline expired. (The 7-year deadline, extended once for 3 years, was only in the preamble.) Both parties had the ERA in their platforms until the Republicans scratched it in 1980. The Democrats briefly dropped it in 1984, but quickly changed their minds when feminists (moi?) threatened to picket a high-dollar presidential event. The Equal Rights Amendment, has been re-introduced in every Congress since 1923. SEVENTY YEARS AFTER SUFFRAGE, WE STILL DON'T HAVE CONSTITUTIONAL EQUALITY.

The Equal Rights Amendment has been introduced in both houses of Congress (HJ Res. 66, Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), SJ Res. 24, Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA)). The ERA Summit is encouraging women from around the country to celebrate the suffrage anniversary next Tuesday by calling members of Congress at 202-224-3121 (or send e-mail) to tell them they stuill have unfinished business: the ERA. Urge members to co-sponsor the ERA and also a separate bill, called the three-states strategy bill (HR 26, Rob Andrews (D-NJ). The three-state bill calls for Congress to verify the ERA if three more states ratify, eliminating the need to start over on ratification. Rep. Maloney's office reports that anti-ERA calls are very heavy, and calls of support are really needed. Give her a thumbs up at fax: 202-225-4709 or send her an e-mail .

Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any state on account of sex.

A group of 50 female custodians has sued the House and Senate and the Capitol architect for pay discrimination, after formal mediation failed. Seems the women make a top wage of $10.08 per hour for cleaning Congressional offices, while the guys (who are called laborers, but doing almost identical work) get $11.10. The class-action suit, aided by their union - the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees - charges violation of equal pay laws, and seeks back pay and punitive damages. While your members of Congress are home in the next couple of weeks, ask them if they support this lawsuit, and if not, why not. And while you're at it, ask 'em if they pay women on their own staff equally with men (many don't!). If a home sighting doesn't happen, you can reach any member's office by calling 202-225-3121 (or send e-mail) .

Since the Taliban militia captured the capitol of Afghanistan in September of last year, women and girls have been severely oppressed (WFF 11/96). They are barred from work, school, and even walking the streets without a male relative. Women are also forced to wear head-to-toe covering (including mesh over the eyes), and some have been stoned to death. The U.S. Department of State has not yet recognized the Taliban as the official government, nor have they been granted a U.N. seat. But pressure is mounting every day because Afghanistan is crucial to moving oil reserves, and many countries and their corporations (including the U.S. and Unocal) want to control a pipeline that will traverse the country. The Feminist Majority is coordinating a national campaign to keep the U.S. from recognizing a government that may be the world's most oppressive for women. Organizations and individuals are asked to sign on to a resolution to end gender apartheid in Afghanistan, and to sign on to a letter to President Clinton in favor of restoring women's human rights. Get copies of both from Jyotsa Sreenivasan at 703-522-2214; fax 703-522-2219, or see the Feminist Majority's "Take Action" Alert.

Congress takes a breather in August, and so are we. Look for only one more WFF this month - on August 22. We'll bombard you weekly again starting after Labor day on Sept. 5.

Both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue are patting themselves on their hypocritical backsides this week for an agreement that balances the budget (economists say it likely would balance itself without interference in this strong economy, but never mind). There is no doubt that women's activism helped shape the final agreement: upping the age limit on Medicare dropped (WFF 7/18), welfare recipients are assured minimum wages and job protection (WFF, 6/6), and working women will get their fair share of the child tax credit (WFF 6/20). Thanks to all who called, faxed and e-mailed. But a little-reported provision will cause grief for women and could deny them their constitutional right to abortion. In expanding medical care for poor children, the budget agreement prohibits states from enrolling teenagers in health plans that cover abortion (88% now do). Since this new coverage will be a big money bonanza for insurers, they're likely to drop abortion coverage altogether to get their share of the business. Urge the Prez (who says he's opposed) to stick by women and his principles and veto the budget bill if this Nat'l Right to Life Committee endorsed clause stays in. (White House Comment Line: 202-456-1111; Fax: 202-456-2461; E-mail [email protected]

Shortly after the election, the director of the White House Office on Women's Issues was reassigned, and plans to downsize the office were rumored (and they promised on election night they'd love us in the morning). Eight months into the new term, NOTHING is happening to appoint a new director. Worse, word has it that when the appointment is made, it'll be a political payoff to someone with little knowledge or experience in women's issues, even though strong, well-qualified advocates for women have also applied for the job. Light a fire under White House Deputy Chief of Staff John Podesta (202-456-2459; fax 202-456-2883) and Public Liaison Maria Echaveste (202-456-2930; fax 202-456-6218) to appoint a woman with experience and connections to the women's movement for a seat at the President's table.