1970s Legislative Action
Congressional Record
Testimony on Equal Rights Amendment (U.S. Senate)
Authenticated Transcript Excerpt
"During twelve years of working for a living, I have experienced much of the legal and social discrimination reserved for women in this country. I have been treated with the 'teasing' disdain reserved for women who do not want to become mothers, and with the condescension reserved for women who want to be writers and thinkers rather than secretaries. Sexism is not a natural law; it is an invented institution."
Historical Setting & Genesis
Steinem appeared before the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Constitutional Amendments, invited by Senator Birch Bayh. At the time, she was widely recognized for her New York Magazine reporting on abortion hearings and the farmworkers strike, using national media visibility to argue that the 1923 Equal Rights Amendment was overdue civil rights legislation.
Impact & Movement Reception
Her testimony debunked prevalent stereotypes claiming women were 'already protected' by common law. The address propelled the ERA out of decades-long committee stalls, leading to House passage in 1971 and Senate approval in 1972, initiating the state ratification campaign.
Archival Identifier: era_1970_senate
Verified Repository: Library of Congress Manuscript Division