House Joint Resolution H.3391 — filed by Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter — has support of both Republican and Democratic sponsors and currently sits in the Constitutional Laws Subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee.
Current members of the subcommittee and their status concerning H.3391 are:
Wm. Weston J. Newton (R), District 120, Beaufort and Jasper Counties ... sponsor
Peter M. McCoy, Jr. (R), District 115, Charleston ... sponsor
Mandy Powers Norell (D), District 44, Lancaster ... sponsor
Russel W. Fry (R), District 106, Horry ... not yet committed
William W. Wheeler III (D), District 50, Lee ... sponsor, as of 1.15.20
The fact that William Weston Newton, the committee's chair, as well as Peter McCoy, Chair of the Judiciary Committee have signed on as sponsors is a good indicator that the bill will pass through the committee. But passing unanimously would send a powerful message to other members of the Judiciary Committee.
ACTION ALERT: Contact Russel Fry and ask that he sponsor H.3391 as a member of the Constitutional Laws Subcommittee. For letter copy, address information and mailing instructions, click here.
Once passed through the subcommittee, the House Judiciary Committee will determine if the resolution will make it to the House floor for a vote.
Now is also a good time to contact your legislator. The links below provide different methods to do so.
To look up your legislator, click here.
Check the House Judiciary (SJC) link below to see if your representative is listed. If they are a sponsor, a thank you call/note would be nice. If they are not a sponsor, ask them to support H.3391 when it comes up for a vote.
If your representative is not on the Judiciary Committee, check the House Scorecard. Again, if they are a sponsor, a thank you call/note would be nice. If they are not, ask them to vote for H.3391 when it comes to the full House floor.
House Joint Resolution H.3258 was filed by Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter and Spencer Wetmore has support of both Republican and Democratic sponsors and currently sits in the Constitutional Laws Subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee.
Two Senate Joint Resolutions were pre-filed for the 2020 legislative session on December 11, 2019. Senator Tom Davis in coordination with Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter sponsored bill S.901. On the same day, the four women of the Senate, Margie Bright Matthews, Mia S. McLeod, Katrina Frye Shealy and Sandy Senn filed S.918. Both resolutions have bipartisan support.
Our postcard focus includes:
- The House Judiciary Committee (30 contacts)
- The Senate Judiciary Committee (25 contacts)
- The Women of the House of Representatives (25 contacts)
- County Legislative Delegations (count varies by county)
Click on the link above to any of the 4 groups to pull up their specific instructions. The info below is suggested messaging and additional information that the host of the party may find helpful.
Included in the count of each of the lists above is a card for the postcard writer's personal legislator. To find that legislator, click here. Then check in the House and Senate to see if that legislator is already a sponsor. The lists above have marked current sponsors with an asterisk (*). A thank you card to them would show your appreciation for their support.
Messaging:
The Salutation for House members should be “Representative” last name.
The Salutation for Senators should be "Senator" last name.
Suggested message to a legislator who is a sponsor might be:
"Thank you so much for sponsoring the ERA. I support equal rights for all!."
If your legislator is a sponsor, something like:
"I am a constituent, and I thank you for supporting the ERA. What can I do to help?"
Special Messages to the Women in the House:
- "Please join your sisters in the Senate by sponsoring H.3391. Finally, equal rights for all!"
- "Please support all women by sponsoring H.3391. The time is now."
- "Please celebrate the 100th anniversary of women's suffrage by sponsoring the ERA (H.3391)!".
Generic messages to either Chamber to those yet to sponsor:
- "I support equal rights and I vote. Please support the ERA!"
- "24 Words for Equality. Please ratify the ERA!"
- "South Carolina women, girls and families need the ERA. Vote YES!"
- "I believe in equality for all, and I believe in the ERA!"
- "All citizens should have equal rights under law. Please ratify the ERA!"
And here's a longer message that is important and can be very specific to each Chamber.
“The ERA is 24 simple words. No money needs allocation; no words need reconciliation. Just an up or down vote for equality.” Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter 12/18/18. Please support _____ ! (H.3391 for House or S.901 & S.918 for Senate)
A couple of tips we learned along the way:
- Complete one postcard to show correct placement of information — stamp in the upper right, recipient address in the lower right. The USPS may return to sender if their address placement is not followed.
- You may want to do current sponsors first to keep the message consistent.
- Suggest writers bring their own return labels if they have them (placed in upper left corner) to ease up on writing.
- Handwritten addresses are more personal, but addresses can be printed on suggested label stock.
- Provide good pens for good readability.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! Questions … please contact us equalmeansera@gmail.com.
Our Approach
Elected officials need to hear support for ERA ratification directly from their constituents. Individual legislators should be contacted as soon as possible to determine their support.
Our Message
The ERA seeks a legal system in which every person will be judged on the basis of individual merit, enabling all citizens to make full use of their political and economic capabilities. At this time, more than half of those people — who happen to be women — do not have equal rights under law within the U.S. Constitution. The ERA would correct that, so that all citizens of South Carolina could live their lives to their full potential.
Methods of Contact
The links below will take you to pages with specific information that can get you started. Contact us if you need help or have questions.
Elected officials need to hear support for ERA ratification directly from their constituents. Individual legislators should be contacted as soon as possible to determine their support.
Our Message
The ERA seeks a legal system in which every person will be judged on the basis of individual merit, enabling all citizens to make full use of their political and economic capabilities. At this time, more than half of those people — who happen to be women — do not have equal rights under law within the U.S. Constitution. The ERA would correct that, so that all citizens of South Carolina could live their lives to their full potential.
Methods of Contact
- Start with a phone call to find out where your legislator stands. Sometimes that's all it takes.
- You can also set up a meeting to speak with your legislator. For steps to walk you thru the process, click here.
- Hand-written letters and postcards (links below) are also good (they create a physical presence and touch).
- Emails are rarely read, but can be effective en masse. A single email can be sent to an individual legislator, to an entire committee's members, as well as to ALL members of either the House or Senate.
- Letters to the Editor are wonderful and can reach a diverse audience (click here for writing tips).
The links below will take you to pages with specific information that can get you started. Contact us if you need help or have questions.
CURRENT STATUE - HOUSE
Due to the coronavirus, legislative activity on the 2019-2020 ERA resolutions has come to an end. We'll start over next year with new resolutions and legislative numbers. Activity should begin in December. This page will be updated as information is known. The information below refers to the 2019-2020 legislative session.
House Joint Resolution H.3391 — filed by Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter — has support of both Republican and Democratic sponsors and currently sits in the Constitutional Laws Subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee.
Current members of the subcommittee and their status concerning H.3391 are:
Wm. Weston J. Newton (R), District 120, Beaufort and Jasper Counties ... sponsor
Peter M. McCoy, Jr. (R), District 115, Charleston ... sponsor
Mandy Powers Norell (D), District 44, Lancaster ... sponsor
Russel W. Fry (R), District 106, Horry ... not yet committed
William W. Wheeler III (D), District 50, Lee ... sponsor, as of 1.15.20
The fact that William Weston Newton, the committee's chair, as well as Peter McCoy, Chair of the Judiciary Committee have signed on as sponsors is a good indicator that the bill will pass through the committee. But passing unanimously would send a powerful message to other members of the Judiciary Committee.
ACTION ALERT: Contact Russel Fry and ask that he sponsor H.3391 as a member of the Constitutional Laws Subcommittee. For letter copy, address information and mailing instructions, click here.
Once passed through the subcommittee, the House Judiciary Committee will determine if the resolution will make it to the House floor for a vote.
Now is also a good time to contact your legislator. The links below provide different methods to do so.
To look up your legislator, click here.
Check the House Judiciary (SJC) link below to see if your representative is listed. If they are a sponsor, a thank you call/note would be nice. If they are not a sponsor, ask them to support H.3391 when it comes up for a vote.
If your representative is not on the Judiciary Committee, check the House Scorecard. Again, if they are a sponsor, a thank you call/note would be nice. If they are not, ask them to vote for H.3391 when it comes to the full House floor.
Due to the coronavirus, legislative activity on the 2019-2020 ERA resolutions has come to an end. We'll start over next year with new resolutions and legislative numbers. Activity should begin in December. This page will be updated as information is known. The information below refers to the 2019-2020 legislative session.
House Joint Resolution H.3391 — filed by Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter — has support of both Republican and Democratic sponsors and currently sits in the Constitutional Laws Subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee.
Current members of the subcommittee and their status concerning H.3391 are:
Wm. Weston J. Newton (R), District 120, Beaufort and Jasper Counties ... sponsor
Peter M. McCoy, Jr. (R), District 115, Charleston ... sponsor
Mandy Powers Norell (D), District 44, Lancaster ... sponsor
Russel W. Fry (R), District 106, Horry ... not yet committed
William W. Wheeler III (D), District 50, Lee ... sponsor, as of 1.15.20
The fact that William Weston Newton, the committee's chair, as well as Peter McCoy, Chair of the Judiciary Committee have signed on as sponsors is a good indicator that the bill will pass through the committee. But passing unanimously would send a powerful message to other members of the Judiciary Committee.
ACTION ALERT: Contact Russel Fry and ask that he sponsor H.3391 as a member of the Constitutional Laws Subcommittee. For letter copy, address information and mailing instructions, click here.
Once passed through the subcommittee, the House Judiciary Committee will determine if the resolution will make it to the House floor for a vote.
Now is also a good time to contact your legislator. The links below provide different methods to do so.
To look up your legislator, click here.
Check the House Judiciary (SJC) link below to see if your representative is listed. If they are a sponsor, a thank you call/note would be nice. If they are not a sponsor, ask them to support H.3391 when it comes up for a vote.
If your representative is not on the Judiciary Committee, check the House Scorecard. Again, if they are a sponsor, a thank you call/note would be nice. If they are not, ask them to vote for H.3391 when it comes to the full House floor.
LETTER WRITING
Due to the coronavirus, legislative activity on the 2019-2020 ERA resolutions has come to an end. We'll start over next year with new resolutions and legislative numbers. Activity should begin in December. This page will be updated as information is known. The information below refers to the 2019-2020 legislative session.
House Joint Resolution H.3391 was pre-filed in the SC House of Representatives in December of 2018 for the 2019-2020 legislative session. The bill has support of both Republican and Democratic sponsors and currently sits in the Constitutional Laws Subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee.
Two Senate Joint Resolutions were pre-filed for the 2020 legislative session on December 11, 2019. Senator Tom Davis in coordination with Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter sponsored bill S.901. On the same day, the four women of the Senate — Margie Bright Matthews, Mia S. McLeod, Katrina Frye Shealy and Sandy Senn — filed S.918. Both resolutions have bipartisan support
On March 11, 2020, a judiciary subcommittee determined S.918 would be the resolution going forward, and voted it thru to the Senate Judiciary Committee. But the full judiciary hearing scheduled on March 17 was cancelled due to the coronavirus. As soon as another date is known, it will be posted on our Facebook page as well as on this site.
But ... it always a good time to contact your legislator. And a personal letter is a great way to do so.
To find your Legislator(s), click here.
Check to see if you Representative is on the House Judiciary Committee. If not, you'll find them in the House.
Check to see if your Senator is on the Senate Judiciary Committee. If not, you'll find them in the Senate.
Both resolutions will have to go thru each chambers Judiciary Committees before there is a vote on either floor.
For background, our ERA Brochure can help you find your voice.
For pre-formatted letters that need immediate attention, go to ACTION ALERT!!!.
How to Talk/Write to Representatives
Salutation: “Representative” is used by the House; and "Senator" is used by the Senate.
The first thing you should do is settle on what phrasing works for you. Once you have a basic letter, you can customize it depending upon which chamber it's going to and what the particular ask might be. If your legislator is already a sponsor, a thank you note asking how you can help is great. Our legislators don't get thanked enough for the work they do.
Letters do not have to be long, in fact they are more likely to get read if they are short and concise. Below are some suggestions to get you started.
Positive opening statement:
Defining the problem:
Consider adding a personal note. Here's mine:
The ERA came back on my radar when Nevada ratified in 2017. I hadn’t thought of it for years, but their ratification brought back my mother’s work in the ’70’s and how heartbroken she was when it failed. I remember her telling my father “I guess I’ll have to get used to being a second class citizen.” This is my chance to finish her work. Barbara Fry 1/1/2020
Ending:
Feel free to pick up comments verbatim from each of the sections above to blend with your words to make your own message. Repetition is good. The more they hear the same message, the greater the likelihood that it will get through.
Be sure to add your street address and zip code after your signature.
The Mailing address for all House members is PO Box 11867 Columbia SC 29211. The mailing address for all Senators is PO Box 142 Columbia SC 29202. Mailing to Home Addresses can be very effective as well. Those are listed in their bios and can be accessed in our House and Senate Scorecards.
To see a copy of one of our legislator letters, click here.
Questions or need help … Contact us at equalmeansera@gmail.com.
Due to the coronavirus, legislative activity on the 2019-2020 ERA resolutions has come to an end. We'll start over next year with new resolutions and legislative numbers. Activity should begin in December. This page will be updated as information is known. The information below refers to the 2019-2020 legislative session.
House Joint Resolution H.3391 was pre-filed in the SC House of Representatives in December of 2018 for the 2019-2020 legislative session. The bill has support of both Republican and Democratic sponsors and currently sits in the Constitutional Laws Subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee.
Two Senate Joint Resolutions were pre-filed for the 2020 legislative session on December 11, 2019. Senator Tom Davis in coordination with Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter sponsored bill S.901. On the same day, the four women of the Senate — Margie Bright Matthews, Mia S. McLeod, Katrina Frye Shealy and Sandy Senn — filed S.918. Both resolutions have bipartisan support
On March 11, 2020, a judiciary subcommittee determined S.918 would be the resolution going forward, and voted it thru to the Senate Judiciary Committee. But the full judiciary hearing scheduled on March 17 was cancelled due to the coronavirus. As soon as another date is known, it will be posted on our Facebook page as well as on this site.
But ... it always a good time to contact your legislator. And a personal letter is a great way to do so.
To find your Legislator(s), click here.
Check to see if you Representative is on the House Judiciary Committee. If not, you'll find them in the House.
Check to see if your Senator is on the Senate Judiciary Committee. If not, you'll find them in the Senate.
Both resolutions will have to go thru each chambers Judiciary Committees before there is a vote on either floor.
For background, our ERA Brochure can help you find your voice.
For pre-formatted letters that need immediate attention, go to ACTION ALERT!!!.
How to Talk/Write to Representatives
Salutation: “Representative” is used by the House; and "Senator" is used by the Senate.
The first thing you should do is settle on what phrasing works for you. Once you have a basic letter, you can customize it depending upon which chamber it's going to and what the particular ask might be. If your legislator is already a sponsor, a thank you note asking how you can help is great. Our legislators don't get thanked enough for the work they do.
Letters do not have to be long, in fact they are more likely to get read if they are short and concise. Below are some suggestions to get you started.
Positive opening statement:
- As your constituent, I am writing to ask that you support ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment in South Carolina. I understand there are Joint Resolutions in both chambers (S.918 in the Senate; and H.3391 in the House). I would like you to support this important legislation.
- I am so pleased to hear that South Carolina has the opportunity to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. How amazing it would be to ratify it on the 100th year anniversary of women getting the vote!
- Thank you Representative/Senator _______________ for participating in this conversation about equality. For women, girls and families in the state of South Carolina, this recognition is long overdue.
- The Equal Rights Amendment is a moral issue that requires political action. I am so pleased and grateful that the South Carolina Assembly is supporting this issue. What can I do to help?
Defining the problem:
- Equality of rights for women in the United States is not enshrined in the constitution; it is merely a matter of legal interpretation. While existing laws do provide some protection, as a legislator you know that laws are subject to interpretation and revocation by whichever legislative body, court or administration is currently in power.
- The ERA would provide a fundamental legal remedy against sex discrimination for both women and men. State laws are not uniform and are subject to interpretation and change. Critical provisions such as the right of women to vote and the end of slavery were amended to the Constitution so they could not easily be taken away.
- In 2011, when asked if the U.S. Constitution protects against sex discrimination, Justice Antonin Scalia replied: “Certainly the Constitution does not require discrimination on the basis of sex. The only issue is whether it prohibits it. It doesn’t.” The Equal Rights Amendment is needed for that protection.
- Race and Religion are protected classes of citizenship within the U.S.Constitution because they have a history of being discriminated against. The history of discrimination against women, on the basis of sex, is well documented. The same remedy -- an amendment to the Constitution -- is needed to protect against discrimination on account of sex.
Consider adding a personal note. Here's mine:
The ERA came back on my radar when Nevada ratified in 2017. I hadn’t thought of it for years, but their ratification brought back my mother’s work in the ’70’s and how heartbroken she was when it failed. I remember her telling my father “I guess I’ll have to get used to being a second class citizen.” This is my chance to finish her work. Barbara Fry 1/1/2020
Ending:
- The only remedy to define the legal status of women is to amend the Constitution to protect it. The ERA would provide a solid foundation for that protection by applying a single legal standard to cases of sex discrimination. All courts — regardless of jurisdiction — would be obliged to use that single standard in making their rulings.
- I want to thank you so much supporting the ERA. Ratification is long overdue.
- Please sponsor the ERA to show you believe in equal rights for all. I will support you in every way I can.
- The ERA is 24 simple words. It requires no funding or reconciliation; no administrative signature. It's a simple statement for, and belief in, equality for all.
Feel free to pick up comments verbatim from each of the sections above to blend with your words to make your own message. Repetition is good. The more they hear the same message, the greater the likelihood that it will get through.
Be sure to add your street address and zip code after your signature.
The Mailing address for all House members is PO Box 11867 Columbia SC 29211. The mailing address for all Senators is PO Box 142 Columbia SC 29202. Mailing to Home Addresses can be very effective as well. Those are listed in their bios and can be accessed in our House and Senate Scorecards.
To see a copy of one of our legislator letters, click here.
Questions or need help … Contact us at equalmeansera@gmail.com.
ACTION ALERTS
Due to the coronavirus, legislative activity on the 2019-2020 ERA resolutions has come to an end. We'll start over next year with new resolutions and legislative numbers. Activity should begin in December. This page will be updated as information is known. The information below refers to the 2019-2020 legislative session.
ACTION ALERT #5 - posted 03.15.20
The March 17 Senate Judiciary Committee meeting has been cancelled due to the coronavirus. Since we may have some time on our hands, now might be a great time to write letters to legislators. Go to Current Status House and Senate to get contact information as well a writing and calling suggestions.
ACTION ALERT #4 - posted 02.17.20
Last week, the United States House of Representatives voted on H.J.Res.79 to remove the deadline for ratification of the ERA that was set back in 1972. It passed 232-183. We need to contact Senator Lindsey Graham and ask him to support S.J.Res.6, the Senate version of the bill, and ask that he hold hearings to move the resolution forward. For details, click here.
ACTION ALERT #3 - posted 01.20.2020
Contact the Women of the House of Representatives, preferably by postcard or letter, asking them to join the women of the Senate by sponsoring H.3391. For Postcard Party instructions, click here. For letter copy, address information and mailing instructions, click here. To look up phone numbers, click here.
ACTION ALERT #2 - posted 01.06.2020
The two Senate ERA resolutions — S.901 and S.918 — are currently sitting in the Senate Judiciary Committee awaiting subcommittee assignment. Contact Senator Luke Rankin, chair of the Judiciary Committee, and ask that he assign those resolutions to a subcommittee. For letter copy, address information and mailing instructions, click here.
Update: Done!
ACTION ALERT #1 -- posted 01.06.2020
Contact SC House members Russel Fry and William Wheeler ask that he sponsor H.3391 as a member of the House Constitutional Laws Subcommittee. For letter copy, address information and mailing instructions, click here.
Update: Rep Wheeler signed on as a sponsor on 1.15.2020. Success!!! Keep contacting Rep Fry.
Due to the coronavirus, legislative activity on the 2019-2020 ERA resolutions has come to an end. We'll start over next year with new resolutions and legislative numbers. Activity should begin in December. This page will be updated as information is known. The information below refers to the 2019-2020 legislative session.
ACTION ALERT #5 - posted 03.15.20
The March 17 Senate Judiciary Committee meeting has been cancelled due to the coronavirus. Since we may have some time on our hands, now might be a great time to write letters to legislators. Go to Current Status House and Senate to get contact information as well a writing and calling suggestions.
ACTION ALERT #4 - posted 02.17.20
Last week, the United States House of Representatives voted on H.J.Res.79 to remove the deadline for ratification of the ERA that was set back in 1972. It passed 232-183. We need to contact Senator Lindsey Graham and ask him to support S.J.Res.6, the Senate version of the bill, and ask that he hold hearings to move the resolution forward. For details, click here.
ACTION ALERT #3 - posted 01.20.2020
Contact the Women of the House of Representatives, preferably by postcard or letter, asking them to join the women of the Senate by sponsoring H.3391. For Postcard Party instructions, click here. For letter copy, address information and mailing instructions, click here. To look up phone numbers, click here.
ACTION ALERT #2 - posted 01.06.2020
The two Senate ERA resolutions — S.901 and S.918 — are currently sitting in the Senate Judiciary Committee awaiting subcommittee assignment. Contact Senator Luke Rankin, chair of the Judiciary Committee, and ask that he assign those resolutions to a subcommittee. For letter copy, address information and mailing instructions, click here.
Update: Done!
ACTION ALERT #1 -- posted 01.06.2020
Contact SC House members Russel Fry and William Wheeler ask that he sponsor H.3391 as a member of the House Constitutional Laws Subcommittee. For letter copy, address information and mailing instructions, click here.
Update: Rep Wheeler signed on as a sponsor on 1.15.2020. Success!!! Keep contacting Rep Fry.