Book Review of Why We Lost the Era

Sheara Brown-Taylor

Intro to Political Science

Dr. Ifedi

April 10, 2014

Book Review

Jane Mansbridge a Northwestern University professor analyzes the Equal Rights Amendment from its struggle to its defeat in her book Why We Lost the ERA. Throughout the book Mansbridge argues that the efforts from the equal rights movement had multiple benefits during the “ERA (Equal Rights Amendment) Decade” from 1972 to 1982. In her writing she covers aspects of both the Pro- ERA and Anti- ERA dynamics. She also presents a strong legislative history and case analysis in her explanation of opposition and support of the Equal Rights Amendment.

Throughout the book Why We Lost the ERA the Pro – ERA an Anti- ERA positions are explored. One major positive benefit Mansbridge brings up was the formation of NOW the National Organization for Women who advocated for the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment. The National Organization for Women advocated for women’s rights during the campaign, including maternity leave, Social Security benefits, equal job training opportunities and the rights for women to have control over their own reproductive lives. The National Organization for Women had a sufficient legislative influence. With all of its efforts the organization seemed to have success when Congress passed the Equal Rights Amendment in 1972. They continued to support the amendments ratification with marches, protests and boycotts, but the amendment struggled to be ratified due to opposing states.

One of the influential opponents of the Equal Rights Amendment that Mansbridge discusses is Phyllis Schlafly the organizer of the “STOP ERA” campaign during the 1970s. STOP is the acronym for Stop Taking Our Privileges. Schlafly believed that the equal rights amendment would revoke gender specific privileges ranging from Social Security benefits to exemption from Selective Service registration. When Schlafly and her organization began their fight against the Equal Rights Amendment it had...