Subject File National Woman's Party, 1941-53 Alva Belmont House 144 B Street, N. E. Washington, D. C. Atlantic 1210 August 4, 1941 FRIEND:- TODAY THE SENATE SUB-JUDICIARY COMMITTEE REPORTED ERA (S.J.Res8) FAVORABLY TO THE FULL COMMITTEE. ERA is now in the Full Judiciary Committee. YOUR HARD WORK won this first step toward securing equal constitutional status for women and men. YOUR HARD WORK can win step No. 2 which is the favorable report of ERA to the Senate. But How? SPEND YOUR VACATION IN WASHINGTON WORKING FOR ERA. Arrange for your own transportation and hospitality, and plan to stay until the Full Committee reports. If you cannot come yourself, pay or contribute for someone else, sending checks immediately to Headquarters. Then telegraph the SUB-COMMITTEE, telling them they have made history . . . . good history . . . . that they are great statesman, true patriots, loyal Americans. You thank them. You appreciate their wisdom. You look to them to secure, from the FULL JUDICIARY COMMITTEE, a favorable report. THE SENATORS SO RICHLY DESERVING OF YOUR PRAISE ARE: Hon. James H. Hughes, Democrat of Delaware Hon. Ernest W. McFarland, Democrat of Arizona Hon. Warren Austin, Republican of Vermont No matter what your politics or where you live send these messages fast. NEXT: Everyday, get at least ten people to do the same. NEXT: Wire or write the FULL COMMITTEE. This consists of: Frederick Van Nuys, Chairman, Indiana--Democrat Pat McCarran--Nevada--Dem. Harley M. Kilgore--W. Va.--Dem. Carl A. Hatch--New Mexico--Dem. Ernest McFarland--Arizona--Dem. Tom Connelly--Texas--Dem. Warren R. Austin--Vermont--Rep. Joseph O'Mahoney--Wyoming--Dem. John A Danaher--Conn--Rep. James H. Hughes--Delaware--Dem. Alexander Wiley-Wisconsin--Rep. Albert B. Chandler--Kentucky-Dem. William Langer--N. Dakota--Rep. William H. Smathers-N. Jersey-Dem. Harold Burton--Ohio--Rep. Abe Murdock--Utah--Dem George W. Norris--Nebraska--Pro. No matter what your politics or where you live wire or write to the Chairman and any member from your state. Everyday get at least ten other people to write or wire, demanding an immediate favorable report on S. J. Res.8. Everyday get at least one organization to send a resolution demanding a favorable report without delay. KEEP IT UP! DON'T DELAY! Send Headquarters copies of everything. Use the telephone--telegraph--write. Send for copies of this letter and send it everywhere with a line from you, signed by your name. Faithfully yours, Perle Mesta Chairman, Congressional Committee National Woman's Party Perle -- 2 -- ADDRESS EVERY SENATOR: Senate Office Building Washington, D. C. EXTRA! EXTRA! EXTRA! HOUSE SUB-JUDICIARY REPORTS E. R. A. FAVORABLY TO FULL COMMITTEE House Sub-Judiciary Committee follows: Honorable Francis E. Walter--Pa.--Dem. Honorable Joseph. R. Bryson--S. Carolina--Dem. Honorable William R. Thom--Ohio--Democrat Honorable John W. Gwynne--Iowa--Rep. Honorable Albert L. Vreeland--N. Jersey--Rep. Full House Judiciary Committee follows: Hatton Sumners, Chairman,--Texas -Dem. Fadjo Cravens--Arkansas--Dem. Emanuel Celler--New York--Dem. William R. Thom--Ohio--Dem. Zebulon Weaver--N. Caro.--Dem. Thomas H. Eliot--Mass.--Dem. Francis E. Walter--Pa.--Dem. U. S. Guyer--Kansas--Rep. Charles McLaughlin--Neb.--Dem. Clarence E. Hancock--N. Y.--Rep. Sam Hobbs--Alabama--Dem. Earl Michener--Michigan--Rep. John H. Tolan--Calif.--Dem. John M. Rebsion--Kentucky--Rep. William T. Byrne--New York--Dem. Chauncey Reed--Illinois--Rep. Dave Satterfield, Jr.--Va.--Dem. John W. Gwynne--Iowa--Rep. James N. Barnes--Illinois--Dem. Louis E. Graham--Pa.--Rep. Estes Kefaver--Tennessee--Dem. Raymond Springer--Indiana-Rep. A. Sidney Camp--Georgia--Dem. Albert Vreeland--New Jersey--Rep. Joseph R. Bryson--S. Caro.--Dem. Joseph O'Hara--Minn.--Rep. Please be guided in your work for the House by the suggestions given above for the Senate. ADDRESS EVERY CONGRESSMAN: House Office Building Washington, D. C. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL NATIONAL CHAIRMAN CHR'M OF HOUSE COMMITTEE MRS. HARVEY W. WILEY VICE CHAIRMAN MRS. JANE NORMAN SMITH MRS. AMY C. RANSOME MRS. LLOYD WILLIAMS TREASURER MISS LAURA M. BERRIEN SECRETARY DR. MARGARET SEBREE LIBRARIAN MISS MARY DOWNEY BUSINESS MANAGER OF EQUAL RIGHTS & HOUSE DIRECTOR DORA G. OGLE National Woman's Party Alva Belmont House Capitol Hill Washington, D.C. TELEPHONE ATLANTIC 1210 CONVENTION ADDRESS BELLEVUE STRATFORD HOTEL PHILADELPHIA, PENNA. MEMBERS MRS. NINA E. ALLENDER MRS. LOUIS BUENZLI MRS. REBEKAH S. GREATHOUSE CHAIRMAN LEGAL RESEARCH & SPEAKERS BUREAU MRS. FLORENCE BAYARD HILLES CHAIRMAN OF LIBRARY COMMITTEE MISS ALMA LUTZ CHAIRMAN OF LITERATURE COMMITTEE MRS. BURNITA SHELTON MATTHEWS COUNSEL MRS. GEORGE MESTA CHAIRMAN CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE MRS. ETHEL ERNEST MURRELL MISS ALICE PAUL EX. OFFICIO MISS ANITA POLLITZER EXECUTIVE SECRETARY MRS. CAROLINE LEXOW BABCOCK PUBLICITY DIRECTOR BAB LINCOLN THE NATIONAL WOMAN'S PARTY extends a cordial invitation to Mrs. Mary E Lurch Lovell to attend THE ELEVENTH BIENNIAL CONVENTION of the organization at the BELLEVUE STRATFORD HOTEL, PHILADELPHIA FRIDAY-SATURDAY-SUNDAY - OCT. 23, 24,25, 1942 This convention offers to ALL WOMEN, whether they are members of the National Woman's Party, or not, an opportunity to meet and plan the next steps to be taken toward the immediate passage of the EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT "Men and women shall have equal rights throughout the United States and every place subject to its jurisdiction." This Amendment will give women constitutional equality with men, always a greatly needed protection and the right of every American citizen, but especially imperative now in view of changing conditions. Without this Amendment women are not full American Citizens. (Please send in enclosed slips for reservations for Banquet, Breakfast and [Zero] Luncheons) ANNA KELTON WILEY (Mrs. Harvey W.) National Chairman. ELIZABETH HATFIELD SCHNABEL (Mrs. Ellis A.) Pennsylvania State Chairman and Chairman of the Convention. ARABEL CLARK Philadelphia Branch Chairman. National Woman's Party 144 B Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. Atlantic 1210 From: May Frank Rhoads, Press Chairman For release in papers of Thursday, May 6, 1943 FORMATION OF WOMEN'S JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE FOR EQUAL RIGHTS For the first time, concerted action is planned by the national women's organizations supporting the Equal Rights Amendment, which on April 12th received the favorable vote of the Senate Judiciary Committee, with 12 Senators voting aye, 4 nay. The formation of a Women's Joint Legislative Committee for Equal Rights has been announced by Alice Paul, Chairman of the National Woman's Party. Miss Katherine Norris has been appointed by the National Woman's Party to act as convener of the newly formed Committee. Invitations to appoint representatives to serve on the Committee have been sent to all national women's groups that have endorsed the Amendment. When the Equal Rights Amendment was first introduced in Congress in 1923 the National Woman's Party was the only woman's group supporting it. The movement has grown until 17 national organizations of women, with millions of members, are now working to have the principle of equality before the law made a part of our Constitution. Seventeen national women's groups have formally endorsed the Amendment: The American Alliance of Civil Service Women, American Federation of Soroptimist Clubs, American Medical Women's Association, American Society of Women Accountants, American Women's Society of Certified Public Accountants, Association of American Women Dentists, Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic, Mary Ball Washington Association of America, National Association of Colored Women, National Association of Women Lawyers, National Council of Women Chiropractors, National Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs, National Woman's Party, Osteopathic Women's National Association, Pilot International, Alpha Iota Sorority, Women's National Relief Corps, Auxiliary to the Grand Army of the Republic. The National Council of Women, with five million members, gives this statement concerning its stand on equal rights: "The National Council of Women of the United States, Inc., an association of organizations with a combined membership of about five million, following the policy of the International Council which 'urges its member organizations to continue their work for the equality of rights between men and women in all fields,' has recommended the Equal Rights Amendment to its member organizations for study and action." In addition to national organizations, several hundred state and local groups have gone on record in favor of the Amendment. Among those are the Hot Springs branch of the American Association of University Women, the Arizona State Federation of Women's Clubs, the District of Columbia Federation of Women's Clubs, the Michigan State Federation of Women's Clubs, the Maine State Federation of Women's Clubs, the Central Labor Union of Pittsburgh, and the Laundry Workers' International Union Local 141, A.F.L., also of Pittsburgh. The Women's Joint Legislative Committee for Equal Rights plans to hold meetings every two weeks, with a different national group each time taking the responsibility for the program. The national Women's Party, with Miss Norris presiding, conducted the organization meeting. The first notion taken was the authorization of a joint letter in the name of the Women's Joint Legislative Committee to the 12 members of the Senate Judiciary Committee who voted in favor of the Equal Rights Amendment thanking them for their support and urging their continued efforts in behalf of the Amendment. Speaking of the necessity for united action by women on the work of getting the Amendment through Congress at the earliest possible date, Miss Norris, convener of the newly formed Committee, said: "It seems important in these tragic times that the United States should reaffirm its faith in democracy by removing the legal and the economic disabilities of women so that they may function at their fullest capacity in the critical years ahead." The next meeting of the Women's Joint Legislative Committee for Equal Rights will be held under the auspices of the American Medical Women's Association May 16th. National Woman's Party 144 B Street, N. E. Washington, D.C. May 12, 1943 TO NATIONAL AND STATE OFFICERS OF THE WOMAN'S PARTY FOR YOUR IMMEDIATE ACTION The Senate Judiciary Committee at its meeting on May 10th took up the subject of reporting out of Committee, to the Senate floor, the Equal Rights Amendment but no action was taken because of the unavoidable absence of the Senators who had previously been appointed to draft the Committee report. Senator Van Nuys, Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, has just informed us that the Committee will probably consider the report on the Amendment at its next meeting, Monday, May 17th. If your own Senator is a member of the Judiciary Committee, please urge him to do his utmost to see that the report is made immediately. Please let your Senator know that the alternative draft patterned on the Suffrage Amendment, which has been laid before the Judiciary Committee (see next page), would meet with your approval and ask him to support this form in case the Committee is unwilling to recommend the original wording. Please protest against any change in wording that might be construed to give less than full equality or rights. It is important to write also, to the same effect, to the Honorable Frederick Van Nuys, Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee. Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee may be addressed: The Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. The members are: Democrats Frederick Van Nuys Ind. Pat McCarran Nev. Carl A. Hatch N.M. Tom Connally Tex. Joseph C. O'Mahoney Wyo. Albert B. Chandler Ky. Harley M. Kilgore W.Va. Abe Murdock Utah Ernest W. McFarland Ariz. Burton K. Wheeler Mont. Charles O. Andrews Fla. Republicans Warren R. Austin Vt. John A. Danaher Conn. Alexander Wiley Wis. William Langer N.D. Homer Ferguson Mich. Chapman Revercomb W.Va. Kenneth S. Wherry Neb. Immediate action from your State will help to make the Senate Judiciary realize the great demand for Equality throughout the country. Please write or wire today, and do everything else that you can, to protest against further delay. (Signed) Anita Pollitzer, Vice Chairman of Congressional Committee, National Woman's Party WOMEN'S JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE FOR EQUAL RIGHTS 144 B Street, N.E. Washington, D.C. May 10, 1943 The Honorable Frederick Van Nuys Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary Senate of the United States The Capitol, Washington, D.C. Dear Senator Van Nuys: On behalf of our national organizations which have endorsed the Equal Rights Amendment we wish to express to you and to your Committee the appreciation and gratitude of our entire membership for the vote of twelve to four, taken on April 12th, in favor of writing into the Constitution of the United States the principle of equality between men and women. We understand that, although the majority of your Committee approves the principle of equality and the necessity of expressing it in the Constitution, the Committee was not satisfied with the original wording of the proposed Amendment; and therefore, at a meeting just held of representatives of as many endorsing organizations as could be assembled at short notice, approval was given to an alternative form which, we understand, has been submitted to your Committee, and which reads: "Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex." We believe this form would have the support of all the organizations which endorsed the original wording; and we hope that it will be approves by your Committee and reported favorably to the floor, in case of any change in the original wording. Respectfully yours, WOMEN'S JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE FOR EQUAL RIGHTS (Signed) National Woman's Party, Alice Paul, National Chairman American Federation of Soroptimist Clubs, Edna Knight Gasch, Washington Representative Women's National Relief Corps, Auxiliary to G.A.R., Myrtle Burke, National Legislative Chairman American Medical Women's Association, Alma Jane Speer, M.D., Vice Chairman of National Legislative Committee American Alliance of Civil Service Women, Mary E. Hamilton, National President National Association of Colored Women, Mary Church Terrell, Past National President Alpha Iota Sorority, Dorothy Matthews Spinks, Washington Representative Association of American Women Dentists, Mildred Dickerson, D.D.S., Chairman of National Legislative Committee Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic, Margaret Hopkins Worrell, Chairman of Public Relations Committee Pilot International, Helen M. Hoffman, Washington Representative Katherine Norris, Convener of Committee Avalon National Poetry Shrine, Elizabeth S. Osgood, Aurelle Burnside, Secretary of Committee Washington Representative National Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc., Alice Manning, Chairman of Legislation (Signatures given in order of arrival at office of Secretary. Additional signatures will be added as received.) National Woman's Party Alva Belmont House 144 B Street, N.E. Washington D.C. July 1943 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Prepared by RESEARCH DEPARTMENT Helena Hill Weed, Chairman 1) What is the text of the Equal Rights Amendment as at present before Congress? "Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex. "Congress and the several States shall have power, within their respective jurisdictions, to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. "This amendment shall take effect 5 years after the date of ratification." 2) Why is the Amendment called the "Lucretia Mott Amendment"? In honor of Lucretia Mott, mother of the organized world-movement for equality of rights for men and women. Following the World Anti-Slavery Convention in London, in 1840, where she and Elizabeth Cady Stanton had been denied seats as delegates on the ground of sex, these two pioneers started the first organized movement in the world for the emancipation of women, at Seneca Falls, New York, July 19-20, 1848. Adoption of the Equal Rights Amendment now before Congress would bring to a conclusion the movement launched in 1848 at Seneca Falls to establish equality of rights for women under the law. 3) When was the Amendment first introduced in Congress? In 1923 - by Senator Curtis (R) of Kansas in the Senate, and by Representative Daniel R. Anthony (R) of Kansas, a nephew of the great Suffrage leader, Susan B. Anthony, in the House. 4) How often has the Amendment been introduced since 1923? In every Congress since 1923. 5) What Congressional Hearings have been held on the Amendment? Feb. 7, 1924. Before Sub-Committee of Senate Judiciary. Opposition only. Feb. 6, 1925. Before Sub-Committee of Senate Judiciary. Both sides. Feb. 4, 1925. Before the House Judiciary Committee. " " Feb. 1, 1929. Before Sub-Committee of Senate Judiciary. " " Feb. 6, 1931. Before Sub-Committee of Senate Judiciary. " " Mch. 16, 1932. Before the House Judiciary Committee. " " May 27, 1933. Before Sub-Committee of Senate Judiciary. " " Feb. 7-10,1938. Before Sub-Committee of Senate Judiciary. " " 6) Are further Hearings needed? These repeated Hearings have always brought forth exactly the arguments for and against the Amendment. The reports of the hearings have all been printed by Congress and the arguments pro and con may be read without the expenditure of time and money that would be involved in new Hearings. At the close of the last Hearing, before the Senate Sub-Committee in 1938, Senator Burke of Nebraska made the following statement: "May I say on behalf of the Committee that this has been a remarkably strong presentation of evidence and argument in favor of the Amendment. If both Houses of Congress are now, upon studying this matter, educated to the point of submitting the Amendment, then the record of this hearing will be an interesting momento always. If, on the other hand, further education is needed before final victory is attained, the record of this hearing will be a fruitful source of information for the members of both Houses of Congress." The only change in the situation since 1923 is that opposition has steadily decreased while support of the Amendment has steadily increased. 7) What Congressional Reports have been made on the Amendment? June 4, 1936. Sub-Committee of House Judiciary reported favorably. June 16, 1937. Sub-Committee of House Judiciary reported favorably. June 23, 1937. Sub-Committee of Senate Judiciary reported favorably. Mch. 21, 1938. Full Senate Judiciary Committee to Senate. Apr. 26, 1939. Sub-Committee of House Judiciary reported favorably. Aug. 1, 1941. Sub-Judiciary Committee of House reported favorably. Aug. 4, 1941. Sub-Judiciary Committee of House reported favorably. May 11, 1942. Full Judiciary Committee of Senate reported favorably. Apr. 12, 1943. Sub-Judiciary Committee of Senate reported favorably. May 23, 1943. Full Judiciary Committee of Senate reported favorably. June 22, 1943. Sub-Judiciary Committee of House reported favorably with unanimous vote. 8) Has any adverse Congressional report ever been made on the Amendment? No. All Committee reports have been favorable. 9) Who introduced the Amendment in the present Senate? Senator Gillette (D) of Iowa on January 21, 1943, with 23 co-sponsors as follows: Senators O'Mahoney (D) Wyoming; Barbour(R) New Jersey; Capper (R) Kansas; Caraway (D) Arkansas; Chavez (D) New Mexico; Clark (D) Missouri; Guffey (D) Pennsylvania; Hawkes (R) New Jersey; Holman (R) Oregon; Kilgore (D) West Virginia; Lucas (D) Illinois; McKellar (D) Tennessee; Nye (R) North Dakota; Pepper (D) Florida; Radcliffe (D) Maryland; Reynolds (D) North Carolina; Robertson (D) Tennessee; Stewart (D) Oklahoma; Thomas (D) Oklahoma; Thomas (R) Idaho; Tunnell (D) Delaware; Tydings (D) Maryland; Wheeler (D) Montana. 10) Who introduced the Amendment in the present House of Representatives? Representative Louis Ludlow (D) of Indiana on January 6, 1943, the opening day of Congress, with 42 co-sponsors, as follows; Angell (R) Ore.; Baldwin (D) Md.; Barrett (R) Wyo.; Bender (R) Ohio; Beall (R) Md.; Bradley (R) Mich.; Bryson (D) S.C.; Burdick (R) N.D.; Byrne (D) N.Y.; Cannon (D) Fla.; Cunningham (R) Iowa; d'Alesandro (D) Md.; Ellison (R) Md.; Flannagan Ariz.; Hartley (R) N.J.; Hendricks (D) Fla.; Johnson (R) Calif.; Jonkman (R) Mich.; McGranary (D) Fla.; Ploeser (R) Mo.; Plumley (R) Vt.; Price (D) Fla.; Scalon (D) Pa.; Shafor (R) Mich.; Sheridan (D) Pa.; Sikes (D) Fla.; Troutman (R) Pa.; Voorhis (D) Cal.; Weaver (D) N.C.; Weiss (D) Pa.; Wilson (R) Ind.; (R) Mich.; Wright (D) Pa. 11) What action has been taken on the Amendment in the present Senate? The Senate Judiciary Committee, following a favorable report from the Sub-Committee, voted May 24, 1943, by a vote of 12 to 5, to report the amendment favorably. Those who voted favorably were: Senators Van Nuys (D) Ind. O'Mahney (D) Wyo.; Hatch (D) N.M.; Kilgoro (D) W.Va.; Chandler (D) Ky.; McFarland (D) Ariz.; Wheeler (D) Mont.; Wherry (R) Neb. On May 28, 1943, the favorable report from the Judiciary Committee was presented to the Senate by Senator Austin of Vermont. The report was signed by Senators Austin, Kilgore, McFarland and O'Mahoney. 12) What action has been taken in the present House? The Judiciary Sub-Committee voted unanimously in favor of the Amendment on March 3, 1943, and again on June 16. The Sub-Committee submitted its report to the full Committee on June 22. The members of the Sub-Committee who gave the unanimous favorable report were: Representative Weaver (D) N.C.; Byrne (D) N.Y.; Cravens (D) Ark; Reed (R) Ill.; Towo (R) N.J. (Mr. Guyer, one of the strongest supporters of the Amendment on the Judiciary Committee, was a member of the Sub-Committee at the time of the March 3rd vote, but died before the June 16th vote.) 13) What is the present status of the Amendment? In the senate: on the Calendar awaiting a vote. In the house: before Judiciary Committee, with unanimous favorable recommendation from Sub-Committee. Congress recessed for the summer before the House Judiciary Committee had time to take action on the report. -2- 14) Does any major political party support the Amendment? Yes - the Republican Party. The National Convention at Philadelphia, June 1940, adopted the following plank by unanimous vote: "We favor submission by Congress to the States of an amendment to the Constitution providing for equal rights for men and women." 15) Is support for the Amendment growing among women? Yes. Support for the Amendment has grown steadily. When first introduced in Congress in 1923, it was supported only by the National Woman's Party. The Amendment has now been endorsed by 24 national organizations of women. 16) What national organizations of women endorse the Amendment today? National Woman's Party. National Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc. *National Board of Directors, General Federation of Women's Clubs. St. Joan Society. (Catholic Women.) National Association of Colored Women. American Alliance of Civil Service Women. National Association of Women Lawyers. American Medical Women's Association, Inc. Association of American Women Dentists. Osteopathic Women's National Association. National Council of Women Chiropractors. American Women's Society of Certified Public Accountants. American Society of Women Accountants. Women's National Relief Corps, Auxiliary to the Grand Army of the Republic. Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic. Mary Ball Washington Association f America. American Federation of Soroptinist Clubs. (Service Clubs) Pilot International. (Service Clubs) Alpha Iota Sorority. (Graduates of Business Colleges) We, the Mothers, Mobilize for America. Mothers and Women of America, Inc. Avalon National Poetry Shrine. (Association of Poets) Auxiliary to the American Osteopathic Association. Women's Auxiliary to the National Chiropractic Association. ----- *The National Board of Directors of the General Federation of Women's Clubs went on record nineteen years ago as opposed to the Equal Rights Amendment. In 1934, it began a study of the constitutional principles involved. As a result, it reversed its attitude and, in July 1943, endorsed it, and submitted it to the member clubs for action. Already the State Federations in Maine, Arizona, Washington, Michigan, and the District of Columbia have endorsed it, while many regional and local clubs have also endorsed it. Several of the endorsing organizations listed above, formerly neutral on the Amendment, have now become its active supporters. ----- The two following groups have endorsed the principle of Equal Rights between men and women but have not taken action, as yet, on the proposed Amendment. National Council of Women of the United States. "The National Council of Women of the United States, Inc., an association of organizations with a combined membership of about five million, following the policy of the International Council which 'urges its member organizations to continue the work for the equality of rights between men and women in all fields,' has recommended the Equal Rights Amendment to its member organizations for study and action." National Education Association of the United States. "The National Education Association advocates, as a logical extension of the principles of democracy, that men and women shall have equal legal status throughout the United States and every place subject to its jurisdiction." (Representative Assembly, Denver, Col., July, 1942.) More than 300 other state, regional, and local organizations of women, representing social, political, industrial, business, and religious groups, have endorsed the amendment. -3- 17) Are the women organizations that have endorsed the Amendment working for its adoption? Yes. The National organizations have formed a Women's Joint Legislative Committee for Equal Rights, each organization being represented thereon, and are taking an active part in work for the Amendment. 18) Why do some women oppose the Amendment? Many of the women who have registered opposition to the Amendment have never studied the legal status of women and, in our opinion, do not understand the necessity for it, its scope and effect, or the benefits that all women will derive from it. All other advances that have been made in the status of women, including the suffrage amendment, have not this same type of opposition. Even today, while men and women are fighting and dying all over the world to preserve and extend human freedom and political liberty, and equality of opportunity, there are still other millions who fight for the destruction of those democratic ideals - but this fact does not deter those who believe in equality and justice from fighting for those principles. 19) What is the object of the Amendment? To establish equality of rights for men and women under the laws of their respective States, and under Federal statutes. 20) What would be the effect of the Amendment upon Federal and State laws? Adoption of the Amendment would bring women under the full protection of the Constitution of the United States. It would make them persons, people, and citizens, as those words are used in the Constitution. It would abolish the principle that women are still subject to the common law of England as it existed at the time the Constitution was adopted, unless women, by specific statutes, had been released from that rule, and would establish in its place, the principle of equality of rights of men and women under the laws of the Nation and the States, for the future guidance of legislators, judges, and civil officers. 21) Is the Amendment in Harmony with our system of Government? Yes. On this point we call attention to the brief submitted to the Senate Judiciary Sub-Committee August 15, 1941, by George Gordon Battle, distinguished New York lawyer. The brief takes up this point as follows; "It seems strange that there should be any question that all citizens of a republic should have equal rights. Our Supreme Court has repeatedly enunciated this great principle. For example: 'The equality of the rights of citizens is a principle of republicanism. Every republican government is in duty bound to protect all its citizens in the enjoyment of this principle, if within its power. (U.S. v. Cruikshank, 92 U.S. 542, 555).' "Those are the words of Chief Justice Waite, one of the greatest jurists who ever sat upon the Bench of our highest Court. The same principle has been enunciated in hundreds of cases in the Supreme Court and other Federal Courts and in the State courts of this country." (Senate Committee Print on Equal Rights, 77th Congress, 1st session, August 15, 1941 Printed for the use of the Committee on the Judiciary. U.S. Gov't Printing Office, Washington, 1941.) 22) Is the purpose of the Amendment sufficiently important to justify an amendment to the Constitution? Yes. We quote again from the brief submitted by Mr. Battle: "Of course there should be no amendment to the Constitution unless there is a real and urgent necessity therefor. Every amendment requires legislation for its enforcement and court action for its interpretation. Such legislative and court procedure causes delay, expense, and uncertainty. Is the game worth the candle? We submit that there can be no more important object than to secure equal rights to all our citizens, men and women alike. The present discrimination against women permitted by our laws is by far the most serious defect in our governmental system. It is the most disgraceful blot upon our claims for Democratic equality. All the arguments that were used in favor of female suffrage apply with added force to this Amendment. To grant equal rights to women to vote, was only one of the equal rights to which women were entitled. It was a -4- great step forward, but it was, after all, merely a step in a long progress toward equality of rights. The passage of this amendment will bring us to the top of the hill from which we can survey a land in which equal justice is rendered and equal rights accorded to all its citizens." 23) Why a Federal Amendment instead of State action? A Federal Amendment is the only way to secure prompt equalization of State laws. This method is more permanent than State Legislation, and it is a more expeditious way of accomplishing the desired end. It is the only way whereby women can pool their resources and strength to win freedom for all women under our flag. To quote the late Dr. M. Carey Thomas, President of Bryn Mawr College: "It is strangely unsympathetic for opponents of an equal rights amendment to suggest removing the thousands of inequalities and injustices by slow and piecemeal work in the 48 State Legislatures while women are born, living their lives, and dying without the justice which they have been waiting for since the time of the cave man." 24) Would the Amendment interfere with States Rights? No, except to require recognition of the equality of rights of men and women under the laws of each State. "The Amendment does not deprive any State of its exclusive dominion over local public policy." (Senate Report No. 267, 78th Congress, 1943, p. 4) 25) Would the Amendment require uniformity of laws among the States? No. It would leave each State free to have any kind of laws it desires, provided only that it did not discriminate between the rights of men and women. On this point the Senate Judiciary report of 1943 says: "The Amendment does not require uniformity among the several States." (Senate Report No. 267, 78th Congress, 1943, p. 4.; See also Missouri v. Lewis, (101 U.S.22) 26) Would the Amendment "clutter up the courts" with litigation? No. The Amendment as at present before Congress would allow a period of 5 years between ratification and going into effect. This would permit the States to revise their codes so as to bring them into harmony with the equality principle, thus eliminating most dangers of litigation. The distinguished Connecticut lawyer, Mr. Charles G. Morris, a former Democratic candidate for Governor, made the following statement on this point on June 15, 1943: "You tell me that an objection which has been raised to the proposed Equal Rights Amendment to Constitution is that it will clutter the courts with cases. All that I can say is that if that is a valid argument, no legislation should ever be proposed since any legislation, either in the form of a constitutional amendment or an amendment by the legislature, is necessarily subject to review by the courts to ascertain whether or not it conforms to the constitutional requirements." 27) Would the Amendment deprive the States of the power to "classify" for the protection of the health, safety, morals, and welfare of the community? No. The only way this power would be touched would be that States could no longer set up the arbitrary basis of sex as a classification. They would be bound by the same restrictions now applying to the legislation affecting men - that classifications may not be arbitrary, unreasonable, or capricious, or be used as a basis of discrimination against any class of citizens. "In prescribing regulations for the conduct of trade it"(legislation) "cannot divide those engaged in trade into classes and make criminals of one class if they do certain forbidden things, while allowing another and favored class engaged in the same domestic trade to do the same things with impunity......Such a statute is not a legitimate exercise of the power of classification, rests upon no reasonable basis, is purely arbitrary, and plainly denies the equal protection of the laws to those against whom it discriminates." (Connolly v. Union Sower Pipe Co. 184 U.S. 540.) -5- 28) What is the meaning of the word "rights" in the Amendment? On this point we refer to the brief submitted by George Gordon Battle to the Senate Judiciary Committee in 1941. Mr. Battle wrote: "The next objection....is the word 'right' as used in the Amendment....In the familiar phrase of the Bill of Rights, the same word is used. In Amendment 1 there is mentioned: 'the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.' In Amendment No. 2 it is provided that--'The right of the people of keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.' Amendment No. 4 says: 'The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures shall not be violated * * * ' In the Annotated Constitution of the United States, printed in Washington, 1938, the heading of the Amendment 5 reads as follows: 'Rights of persons.' The same heading of the Amendment 6 reads: 'Rights of accused in criminal prosecutions. In the sixth Amendment it is stated: 'In all criminal prosecutions the accused shall enjoy the right to a speed and public trial.' And so forth. Amendment No. 7 speaks of 'the right of trial by jury.' Amendment No. 9 states: 'The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.' The heading to the fourteenth Amendment is: 'Rights of citizens'. The fifteenth Amendment says: 'The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.' It will be seen that this word 'right' that so much alarms ..... is found in very many of the amendments. It has a perfectly clear meaning." 29) Are there discriminations against women in the law at present? There are discriminations in regard to property rights, inheritance rights, divorce, the right to work for a living, the right to compete on fair terms with all others engaged in the same work, to own and control one's earnings, engage in all lawful occupations, jury service, government service, the holding of public office and positions of trust, the right of contract, and many other phases of life. This situation results from statutes and from court interpretations based on the ancient common law of England as it existed at the time our Constitution was adopted, in cases where the status of women has not been changed by statutes. 30) Has any compilation been made of the discriminations against women? Yes. The United States Document 270 (1936), contains a resume of State and Federal laws affecting women, showing which are equal and which are unequal, giving citations form Federal and State codes on each point. The Women's Bureau of the Department of Labor published a similar compilation entitled "The Legal Status of Women in the United States of America." (Bulletin 157, Women's Bureau of the Department of Labor, 1938). The Women's Bureau has also published a pamphlet on Labor Laws for Women. (U.S. Department of Labor Bulletin, 1943) 31) Is the immediate adoption of the Amendment of special importance to working women? Yes. When the war ends, hundreds of thousands of families will have lost the natural breadwinner, as a result of the casualties of war, and women will be the sole support of the families. Justice demands that no artificial barriers of sex be set up against them in earning a living. Equality of opportunity with all other workers must be accorded them. 32) What would be the psychological effect of the Amendment? To raise the status of all women. The adoption of the Amendment would influence indirectly every employer, every university, every college and professional school which at present discriminates against women. It would encourage the election of women to office and their appointment to positions of public trust and responsibility because they would no longer be branded as a sub-class of citizens, as not legal persons enjoying full equality of rights. It would help to remove a devastating inferiority complex in women themselves. 33) Would the Amendment injure women in industry? No. Under the Amendment all labor legislation would of necessity be equal for men and women, but this would not mean the lowering of labor standards for both sexes. It is probable that under the Amendment the higher standards for women (which are a real detriment to women when not applied to their male competitors) would be extended to cover all workers of both -6- sexes. This decision would be in the hands of each State. Equality under the law does not require the abolition of humane laws. 34) Do women need a special code of safety and health laws? No. Safety and health laws should apply to all workers in an industry, and should be based on the nature of the work, not the sex of the worker. The classification of adult women with minors in labor laws is injurious to women, for standards that are sufficiently strict to protect minors are too onerous for adult women. Under the Amendment one set of regulations would apply to adults of both sexes, and another would apply to minors, as wards of the state. 35) Would the Amendment prevent governmental control of sweat shop work in the home? No. Men also are engaged in home work, and laws for its control and regulation could cover workers of both sexes. 36) Would the Amendment increase government expense in enforcement of labor laws? No. Under the Amendment there would be a saving for the Government, national , state and local, because one labor code for industries, basing the regulations on the need of individual industries instead of on the sex of the worker, would do away with much of the expenses due to a double set of labor regulations. Many investigation and enforcement officials could in this way be eliminated. 37) Could labor standards be based on the nature of the work instead of on the sex of the worker? Yes. Equality could be established by legislation, or by giving the State Labor Commissions the power to fix equal standards for each industry, or by collective bargaining. 38) What are the chief forms of "protective legislation" for women that would be affected by the Amendment? Minimum wages, restricted hours of work, restrictions on the occupations in which women may work, compulsory seats for women workers, and regulation of home work. Already every one of these forms of protection is in existence in one or more states, or federally, on a basis of equality. 39) Would the Amendment interfere with maternity laws? No. Maternity legislation is similar to legislation for veteran soldier's benefits; it is for a special service rendered to society. It is not sex legislation as it does not apply to all women any more than veteran soldier legislation applies to all men. 40) Would the Amendment destroy Mothers' Pensions? No. The allowances originally known as Mothers' Pensions are now known as "Aid to Dependent Children." and are administered under the Social Security Board. Under the State Plans, this aid is granted to those of a wide degree of kinship of the dependent children, and in at least three States (Delaware, New Jersey, and North Dakota) to persons not of kin who stand in loco parentis, when the children are living in their homes. The allowance is not a pension for the one who cares for the children but is an allotment for the care and support of children of both sexes who are in need of financial assistance, the amount of the allotment being different in the different States. This is equality legislation. 41) Would working women welcome the opportunity which the Amendment would provide to work on the night shifts? Married women who have testified at Congressional Hearings have repeatedly stated that this shift is the most convenient shift for married women, especially those with young children. "We mothers were more of a mother to our children when we worked at night," said Mary Murray, President of the Brooklyn-Manhattan Transit Women's League, at the Senate Judiciary Hearing in 1938. "When I was working on the day shift every time I heard the ambulance go by I knew it was one of my children......After supper children go to bed....When you work at night the children know -7- you are home in the daytime...When you are on day work they will play truant..When I was on night work they took their lunches to school or came home, and I could do my housework in God's daylight; and I got plenty of sleep. I was a happier woman. That is why mothers want to work at night, although the unmarried women will also give you good reasons why they want to work at night." Speaking for unmarried women workers, Miss Mollie Maloney, a member of the International Brotherhood of Bookbinders A.F. of L., said at this same Hearing: "Back in 1913 there was enacted and signed by the Governor, and placed on the statute books of New York State, a law preventing women from working before 6 O'clock in the morning and after 10 o'clock at night. At that time there were several plants in New York operating on a three-shift schedule; a day shift, and afternoon and evening shift, and a night shift. On the two late shifts the women worked shorter hours and received higher pay, not because the work was any harder at night, but that is the rule; a night shift calls for higher wages. "On those two last shifts there were employed many widow women, women with sick husbands, and women with delinquent husbands, or with children or dependents of one kind or another to support. What happened? Those women on the night shifts were thrown onto the day shift; and the plants not being equipped to place all of them, many of them had to wander away to more laborious and poorer paid line of endeavor. "These so-called welfare laws for women only, that we are suffering under, have set women in the bookbinding industry back 50 years. "Twenty-five years ago in almost every bindery in New York City the head executive was a woman, and many highly skilled and well-paid mechanical jobs were held by women. That is all changed now. Through the working and operation of those so-called welfare laws for women, they can no longer advance to executive positions, as their proprietor knows that he cannot keep a woman an hour or two after work to finish a job, so he gives the job to her male competitor, who is not hampered by those laws. "Down through the years there have been enacted more vicious and devastating laws, so that, with the shortage of work, and our hours being limited by law, we are unable to earn a decent living. Referring to the claim that women's morals are endangered by working on the night shifts, Mrs. Maud Williams, member of the International Typographical Union, No. 6, of New York City, dismissed this by saying: "There is all this ridiculous poppycock about women working at night. You can be just as immoral at 10 o'clock in the morning as at 10 o'clock at night. I think it is time that sensible people drew this night work question out into the open. "I would like to present to the committee some quotations from Bulletin 155, issued by the Women's Bureau of the Department of Labor, entitled "Women in the Economy of the United States," by Mary Elizabeth Pidgeon, an official of that Bureau: 'sometimes the fact that women cannot be employed at night reduces or eliminates their employment during the day.... 'When applied indiscriminately to special occupations that are professional or semi-professional in type, might-work prohibition or regulation has resulted in restrictions of women's employment... 'Prohibitory laws have really only one effect - the elimination of women from the occupations covered.'" 42) Would the Amendment result in difficulty in regard to the guardianship of children? No. In forty-two States the father and mother are already equal guardians of their children when the parents are living together, and there have been no disastrous results. In thirty-eight States neither father nor mother has paramount rights of guardianship when the parents are living apart. In those States the court decides the question of guardianship, basing the appointment on the best interests of the child. Extension of -8- this principle of equality to all the States would not destroy the home. On the contrary, it would dignify the position of the mother and make her more respected in the eyes of her children. (See Bulletin 157 of Women's Bureau, U.S. Department of Labor) 43) How would the Amendment affect support laws? It would require that husbands and wives be treated equally in regard to their responsibility for the support of the other spouse and of the children, as is the case now in approximately one-third of the States. The majority of wives contribute to the support of the family by their combined labor and services in the home - a contribution that has a money value to the husband if he is deprived of it by the unlawful acts of a third party. Any man who has lost his wife and is obliged to pay others for the unpaid services she has rendered to the home and family knows well their financial value. Under the Amendment each State could make its own support laws and could declare by law that contribution of the wife in services to her husband and family entitles her to a share in the funds of the family. (See Senate Document 270 and Bulletin 157, Women's Bureau, Department of Labor) 44) Would the Amendment do away with alimony? No. The Amendment would require that the husband and wife be treated equally in the matter of support by the other on dissolution of the marriage, or during divorce proceedings. This is already the case in 13 States, where either husband or wife may now be allowed alimony, at the discretion of the court. No unfortunate results have occurred in States where equality on this subject has been established. (See Senate Document 270 and Bulletin 157 of the Women's Bureau of the Department of Labor) 45) How would the Amendment affect divorce laws? It would not affect the divorce laws in any way except to require both parties to the divorce to be treated alike, with the same grounds for divorce for husband and wife. 46) Would laws against rape be abrogated by the Amendment? No. No one has the right to commit an act which the State has declared to be a crime. Colorado has defined rape as a crime of which both men and women may be capable, and has also declared that both men and women who are accessories to the commission of this crime are also responsible. Equality would require equal punishment to all persons who commit the same criminal acts but would not prevent stigmatizing as crimes acts which only one sex is physically capable of committing. (See Colo. Criminal Code) 47) Would the Amendment deprive widows of special allowances on the death of their husbands while the estate is being settled? No. Many States now make special allowances pending settlement of the estate of the deceased spouse, or for longer periods, for widow and widower alike. These allowances include use of the family home, maintenance of the family, ownership of the household goods, wearing apparel of the deceased spouse, and expenses of summary administration in the case of a very small estate. The duration and amount of the monthy allowance, and the time during which the surviving spouse may occupy the homestead vary in the different States. Under the Amendment each State could establish equality according to its own preferences. The only requirement resulting from the Amendment would be that the benefits be equal for the surviving spouse, as is already the case in many States. (See Bulletin issued by Women's Bureau, U.S. Department of Labor) 48) How would the Amendment affect dower and curtesy laws? Dower and curtesy laws would be equalized for husband and wife, as is already the case in 17 States. Some States have abolished dower and curtesy laws altogether, and have substituted for them an equal share for the surviving spouse in the estate of the deceased spouse. In 45 States the law makes no distinction between the rights of the surviving spouses to inherit real or personal property when there is no will. The law differs in various States but the principle of equality of rights in the estate of the deceased spouse has been adopted almost universally. Each State would be free under the Amendment to decide for itself what share each spouse would be entitled to in the real and personal property of the other--provided only that the share was the same for husband and wife. (See Legal Status of Women in the U.S.A., Bulletin 157, Women's Bureau, Department of Labor) 49) How would the Amendment affect jury service for women? It would make women eligible for jury service in the Federal courts and in all States on the same terms as men. At present, women are eligible for jury duty in 28 States, under varying rules. The States that still deny this right to women on the ground of sex are: Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Maryland, Maine, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming. Colorado and Massachusetts now have legislative measures to extend this right to women under consideration. 50) How would the Amendment affect the marriage age for boys and girls? The legislature would make the age the same in cases where they are different at present. On this point we quote from a brief on the Amendment prepared by Rebekah Scandrett Greathouse, Professor of Law at the Washington College of Law, for the National Association of Women Lawyers, as follows: "No State should find it hard to decide upon a marriage age to be required of both boys and girls. At present the age for each varies from State to State and is already the same for both in six States. As we have so often pointed out the States will have time to change their legislation to conform to the Amendment." 51) Would the Amendment abrogate laws requiring health certificates for men before marriage? No. Such a law could be made to apply to both parties to the marriage. Some States now require health certificates from both men and women before a marriage license is issued. All could do so. This would be a matter for each State to decide. 52) Would the Amendment require women to do road work in the States requiring this service from men? Many States do not have such laws. In some of those where this obligation exists, it may be discharged by the payment of taxes at so much per day covering the number of day's work required, or the citizen may employ a substitute to work in his place. Women, if they did not desire to do such work, could hire substitutes or pay the additional tax. 53) Would the Amendment change the liability of women for service in the Army and Navy? No. The Government now has power to conscript women as well as men for military service, but just as the Government does not send all men into combat duty but places them where they can render the most effective service, so it would have the same right under the Amendment to use women for the best interests of the country. This is a matter of public policy which the Amendment would not affect. On this point the Battle brief states: "Women are citizens, they have property, they owe the same obligation to the State that is owed by men. They should be drafted to protect the State in the case of war. As to the service which they render, that would be determined by the appropriate statutes, releases, and regulations. Nurses now form a part of every army. There are many branches of the military service in which women play different parts. This like all other such matters must be left to the wisdom of the legislatures and courts for future determination? 54) To what extent have labor standards been equalized already? The National Fair Labor Standards Act which regulates interstate commerce is based on equality between men and women workers. The Public Contracts Act, regulating labor standards in establishments having contracts of $10,000 or over with the Government, requires equality between men and women workers. The National Recommendations on Hours of work for Maximum Production during the War, issued by the Department of Labor, recommends equal standards for men and women. The only occupations not on an equality basis now are mercantile establishments and the sevice industries in intrastate commerce. The amendment would require adoption by the States for intrastate commerce a pattern similar to that set up for interstate commerce. Agriculture and domestic workers are not regulated as yet for either men or women. 55) When was "protective" legislation for women only first proposed? In 1836, by The New England association of Farmers, Mechanics, and Other Workingmen, at the outset of the factory system in the United States, when the following Resolution was adopted: "Whereas, Labor is a physical and moral injury to women and a competitive menace to men, we recommend legislation to restrict women in industry." Ever since that time, restriction of the competition of women, not protection of women, has been the primary objective of labor laws for women only. 56) What have the courts said respecting the powers of the State Legislatures, in the absence of constitutional limitations? In Munn v. Illinois (94 U.S. 113) the Court said: "The law itself as a rule of conduct, may be changed at the will, or even at the whim, of the Legislature, unless prevented by constitutional limitations." Many decisions have recognized the unlimited authority of the Legislatures whom not restricted by constitutional limitations. These are best summed up in Berthoff v. O'Reilly (14 N.Y. 509, 30 Am. Rep. 323) when the Court said: "No law can be pronounced invalid for the reason simply that it violated our notions of justice, is oppressive or unfair in its operation, or because in the opinion of some or all of the citizens of the State, it is not justified by public necessity or designed to promote the public welfare. We repeat, if it violates no constitutional provision, it is valid and must be obeyed." These, and many other similar decisions, establish the absolute necessity for constitutional restrictions on the power of the State legislatures over women if equal justice under the law is to prevail. 57) Is it proper to press for the Amendment during the present world conflict? Yes. To quote again from the brief by Mrs. Greathouse: "It is most appropriate that the United States of America, looked to as a bulwark of democracy, should give to all citizens, all the prerogatives of democracy and make a reality of the phrase 'Equal Justice Before the Law'." 58) How has the Supreme Court defined "the equal protection of the laws?" "The equal protection of the laws is a pledge of the protection of equal laws." (Yick Wo v. Hopkins, 118 U.S. 356) "The guaranty of the equal protection of the laws means that 'No person or class of persons shall be denied the same protection of the laws which is enjoyed by other persons or other classes in the same place or in like circumstances.'" (Connelly v. Union Sewer Pipe Co., 184 U.S. 540) 59) Would adoption of the Amendment alter our principles of government? No. Its adoption would simply put into practise those democratic principles which we may have always proclaimed, and for which we are today waging a global war - a war in which women as well as men are bearing equally the burdens and sacrifices. -11- July 28, 1943 National Woman's Party 144 B Street, N. E. Washington, D. C. ATlantic 1210 RELEASE FOR THURSDAY'S PAPERS January 27, 1944 VICE PRESIDENT WALLACE ENDORSES EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT Vice President Wallace has announced his full support of the Equal Rights Amendment now pending in the Senate, as a measure demanded by the principles of democratic government. In a letter to Mrs. Emma Guffey Miller, member of the Democratic National Committee for Pennsylvania and Join Congressional Chairman of the National Woman's Party, the Vice President declared that "the surest method to eradicate the many discriminations and injustices practiced against women is to pass the Equal Rights Amendment." The letter of the Vice President, made public today (Wednesday), read in full: "Mrs. Emma Guffey Miller "Member for Pennsylvania, Democratic National Committee "Washington, D. C. "Dear Mrs. Miller: "The first organized movement in the history of the world to free women from their age old shackles began in our own country almost one hundred years ago when a little group of undaunted women met at Seneca Falls, New York and drafted a 'DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES,' which has guided the movement in this country ever since. "No part of that program has been completely achieved except in the political field, when the right of suffrage was granted to women. However, the Suffrage Amendment gave women only the right to vote and nothing more. "Having long advocated EQUALITY in DEMOCRACY it seems to me that it naturally follows that there should be no inequalities under the law because of sex. Every man and woman should have an equal right to earn a living; to control their earnings, and women should be freed from governmental restraints and handicaps, which now limit their wages and opportunities for advancement. The surest method to eradicate the many discriminations and injustices practiced against women is to pass the Equal Rights Amendment and thus complete the great movement for freedom begun at Seneca Falls in 1848. "However much the opponents of this Amendment may fear some possible temporary disadvantage to some women, may I suggest that in the end all such disadvantages, if they exist, weight little beside the greater advantage of inner freedom which will come for all women when real equality is established. "Sincerely yours, "H. A. Wallace" In press interviews at the Woman's Party Headquarters Mrs. Miller said with regard to the Vice President's declaration: "The Vice President's statement in support of equality and justice for American women will tremendously encourage the women of this country. If women are to carry on when peace comes in helping to build a new world based on human freedom and equality, they must themselves be free, equal, and responsible citizens of our democracy. We rejoice in this declaration by the Vice President of the United States in support of equality of rights for all Americans regardless of sex." National Woman's Party 144 B Street, N.E., Washington, D. C. From the Press Department November 6, 1944 INFORMATION BULLETIN To make clear the position of the National Woman's Party in the present election campaign, Alice Paul, National Chairman, today gave the following statement to the press: "The National Woman's Party is a non-partisan organization devoted to the single object of raising the status of American women. "Both the major political parties and all candidates of those parties are committed, through their National Platforms adopted last summer, to the Equal Rights Amendment. "The National Woman's Party, as an organization, takes no stand, therefore, as between opposing candidates, and looks forward with confidence to the immediate passage of the Amendment by Congress, regardless of which party is successful in the present election." INFORMATION BULLETIN National Woman's Party 144 B Street N. E. Washington, D. C. April 24, 1945 EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT REPORTED FAVORABLY BY HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE By a vote of 15 to 7, the House Judiciary Committee today voted to report favorably the proposed Equal Rights Amendment. This is the first favorable report by the House Judiciary Committee since the Amendment was originally introduced in Congress in 1923. The proposed Amendment reads: "Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex. "Congress and the several States shall have power, within their respective jurisdictions, to enforce this article by appropriate legislation." "This Amendment shall take effect three years after the date of ratification." This action followed the unanimous favorable vote on the Equal Rights Amendment four days before, April 20, by the Judiciary Subcommittee to which the measure had been referred. Announcing the action of the Committee today, Hon. Hatton Summers (Democrat of Texas), Chairman of the Committee, said: "The Judiciary Committee, after most mature consideration extending over a long period of time, has reported the Equal Rights Amendment favorably by a vote of 15 to 7." Rep. Zebulon Weaver (Democrat of North Carolina), Chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee, declared, "I am very happy that this great forward step for justice and equality has been taken today. For twenty-two years this measure has been before the House Judiciary Committee. Today, for the first time in twenty-two years, we have succeeded in obtaining a favorable Committee report." At the close of the meeting, Rep. Fadjo Cravens (Democrat of Arkansas) whose Resolution was the one reported by the Committee, said, "The Judiciary Committee today authorized us to take all necessary steps to bring the equal rights Amendment before the House for action. Those members of Congress who have supported the Amendment for so long are gratified that a favorable report has at last been obtained. We are looking forward to the day in the very near future when Congress itself will take similar action." Rep. John M. Robsion (Republican of Kentucky), long a champion of the Equal Rights Amendment, expressed his pleasure at the substantial majority for the Amendment, saying "Congress should without further delay submit to the States for ratification this Amendment granting equal justice under the law." Alice Paul, Chairman of the National Woman's Party, said, "It is a matter for rejoicing that just as women are leaving for San Francisco to urge equal rights for women on a world scale, members of our own Congress have acted in this decisive way to extend equality for women here at home. This action by the powerful House Judiciary Committee will have a far-reaching effect, - not only in lifting the status of American women but in furthering the effort to write equality for women into the charter of any new world organization." The Resolution favorably reported today was introduced by Representative Louis Ludlow (Democrat of Indiana) as House Resolution 1, on the opening day of the present Congress. He was later joined by nine other members of the House, including Rep. Fadjo Cravens and Rep. John M. Robsion, both members of the Judiciary Committee, who introduced identical resolutions. Altogether 75 members of the House have given their names as co-sponsors of the Amendment in this session. Among the organizations working for the Equal Rights Amendment, in addition to the National Woman's Party, are the General Federation of Women's Clubs, National Education Association, National Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs, National Association of Women Lawyers, the American Medical Women's Association, American Federation of Soroptinist Clubs, National Association of American Women Dentists, and many others. NATIONAL WOMAN'S PARTY 144 B Street, N.E. Washington 2, D. C. May 18, 1945 INFORMATION BULLETIN The National Woman's Party has laid before the Judiciary Committee of the Senate an appeal for an immediate and favorable report of the Equal Rights Amendment. This Amendment was referred to the Judiciary Committee of the Senate on May 3, following its introduction in the Senate on that date by Senator George Radcliffe of Maryland. The Senate Judiciary Members are: Senators, Pat McCarran, Chairman (D) Nevada Carl A. Hatch (D) New Mexico Joseph C. O'Machoney (D) Wyoming Albert B. Chandler (D) Kentucky Harley M. Kilgore (D) West Virginia Abe Murdock (D) Utah Ernest W. McFarland (D) Arizona Burton K. Wheeler (D) Montana Charles O. Andrews (D) Florida James O. Eastland (D) Mississippi Alexander Wiley (R) Wisconsin William Langer (R) North Dakota Homer Ferguson (R) Michigan Chapman Revercomb (R) West Virginia Kenneth S. Wherry (R) Nebraska E. H. Moore (R) Oklahoma H. Alexander Smith (R) New Jersey Members may be addressed: Senate Office Building, Washington 2, D. C. You are urges to write to each member to ask for immediate action on the Amendment by the Judiciary Committee. In particular it is important to write to the Chairman of the Committee, Senator McCarran, and to your own member of the Committee, if there is a member from your State. Please send us a copy of the replies which you receive. National Woman's Party 144 B Street, N. E. Washington 2, D. C. INFORMATION BULLETIN July 12, 1945 HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE REPORTS EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT FOR FIRST TIME IN HISTORY OF THE AMENDMENT On July 12 the House Judiciary Committee presented to the House of Representatives a report on the Equal Rights Amendment, "with the recommendation that it do pass." The Amendment is now out of the Judiciary Committee -- for the first time in the Amendment's history. Representative Fadjo Cravens (Democrat), of Arkansas, made the report on behalf of the Judiciary Committee. The favorable report had been voted by the full Judiciary Committee on April 24. The Judiciary Committee report, as presented to the House on July 12, is in part as follows: "The Committee on the Judiciary, to whom was referred the joint resolution (H.M.Res. 49) proposing an equal rights amendment to the Constitution, after consideration, report the same favorably to the House with the recommendation that it do pass. "It is proposed to amend the Constitution of the United States by submitting to the States for ratification by three-fourths of the legislatures thereof the following: "That equality or rights under the law shall not be denied or abridges by the United States or by any State on account of sex. Congress and the several States shall have power, within their respective jurisdiction, to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. "This amendment shall take effect three years after the date of ratification." "Identical or substantially similar resolutions were offered by nine other members of the House of Representatives. All the proposals were carefully studied by a sub-committee, which also gave full consideration to the record of public hearings held previously before the Committee on the Judiciary (68th Congress, H.J.Res. 75, February 5, 1925; and 72nd Congress, H.J.Res. 197, March 3, 1932). On February 21, 1945 it was determined that no additional oral hearings were necessary, but it was agreed to accept, for a limited time, observations, statements or suggestions in writing from any person, group, or organization, either for or against the proposal. Numerous communications were received, all of which were given careful consideration by the sub-committee. The sub-committee thereupon made a unanimous favorable recommendation to the full committee with respect to H.J.Res. 49. - 2 - "A similar or substantially similar proposal as that set forth in H.J.Res. 49 was first introduced in 1923 and has been reintroduced in each Congress since that time. In the 78th Congress a sub-committee of the Committee of the Judiciary made a unanimous favorable report to the full committee, but the latter did not at that time take favorable action. "The committee directs attention to the fact that the platforms adopted by both political parties included in their 1944 platforms recommendations in support of a so-called equal rights amendment as follows: DEMOCRATIC: "We recommend to Congress the submission of a Constitutional amendment on equal rights for women." REPUBLICAN: "We favor submission by Congress to the States of an amendment to the Constitution providing for equal rights for men and women." "The committee definitely feels that the laws of many states and of the United States, under the guise of protecting the safety and welfare of the female sex have, in fact, discriminated against such sex in various economic fields of activity or have entirely excluded females from participation in economic fields in which they are as equally proficient as men and in which they can serve without injury to their health or the public interest. The arduous and efficient service rendered by women both in the armed services and in industry during the present war has clearly demonstrated that women are capable of fully participating in the economic activities of this country where not precluded from doing so by discriminatory laws and regulations . . . ." The next step is for the Rules Committee of the House of Representatives to set a date for the vote on the floor of the House. The members of the Rules Committee are: Representatives Adolph J. Sabath, Chairman (D), Illinois; E. E. Cox (D), Georgia; Howard W. Smith (D), Virginia; J. Bayard Clark (D), N. Carolina; John J. Delaney (D), New York; William M. Colmer (D), Mississippi; Joe B. Bates (D), Kentucky; Roger C. Slaughter (D), Missouri; Leo E. Allen (R), Illinois; Earl C. Michener (R), Michigan; Charles A. Halleck (R), Indiana; Clarence J. Brown (R) Ohio. We ask everyone who reads this bulletin to write to the twelve members of the Rules Committee asking them to bring the Amendment up for a vote on the floor of the House and asking them also to do all in their power to secure the passage of the Amendment by the House without further delay. AMONG THE ORGANIZATIONS WHICH HAVE ENDORSED THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT ARE: General Federation of Women's Clubs National Education Association of the United States National Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc. Industrial Women's League for Equality National Woman's Party National Association of Women Lawyers Women's National Democratic Club, Inc. American Medical Women's Association, Inc. Women's International Association of Aeronautics (Board of Directors) American Society of Women Accountants American Women's Society of Certified Public Accountants Osteopethic Women's National Association National Association of School Secretaries National Council of Women Chiropractors Women's Auxiliary to the National Chiropractic Association Association of American Women Dentists American Federation of Soroptomists Clubs American Council for Equal Legal States National Association of Women National Association of Colored Women Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic Congress of State Societies Pilot International St. Joan Society Alpha Beta Sorority Avalon National Poetry Shrine Wheel of Progress Delta Phi Epsilon Mary Ball Washington Association of America September 21, 1945. INFORMATION BULLETIN NATIONAL WOMAN'S PARTY 144 B Street, N.E. Washington, D. C. Atlantic 1210 September 21, 1945 PRESIDENT TRUMAN APPROVAL OF EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT "An artillery man always stands by his guns," said Mrs. Emma Guffey Miller today as she came from a conference of National Woman's Party members with President Truman, on the Equal Rights Amendment. The President reaffirmed his stand in favor of the Amendment made while Senator, and said he could be so quoted. The President recalled to the group of representative women whom he received, that he had been a member of the Platform Committee at the National Democratic Convention in 1944 and at that time had voted to include the Equal Rights Amendment plank in the platform. He also recalled his written statement in April 1944, in favor of the Amendment. The President said that if any Democratic Senator should express disapproval of the Amendment, he would ask the Senator why he had voted the Democratic ticket which included the Amendment in its platform. The Committee which called on the President by appointment included both Democratic and Republican women and represented several of the national organizations endorsing the Equal Rights Amendment. Led by Mrs. Miller, who is Congressional Co-Chairman of the National Woman's Party, and Democratic National Committeewoman for Pennsylvania, the group included by Mrs. U. S. Guyer, Republican Congressional Co-Chairman for the National Woman's Party, and widow of the late Representative Guyer of Kansas; Mrs. Harvey W. Wiley, National Legislative Chairman for the General Federation of Women's Clubs and member of the National Council of the National Woman's Party; Dean Mary Sinclair Crawford of the University of Southern California, representing the National Education Association; Dr. Alma Speer, representing the American Medical Women's Association, and Miss Ella M. Sherwin, President of the Industrial Women's League for Equality. In April 1944, Mr. Truman, as Senator, sent Mrs. Miller a message for the General Federation of Women's Clubs then meeting in convention in St. Louis, which Mrs. Miller was to address on the Equal Rights Amendment. He wrote: "Say to them that I am in sympathy with their fight for the Equal Rights Amendment because I think it will improve the standard of living by setting a level on wages equal for both sexes. "I have no fear of its effect on the home life of the American people. Nearly every man has his women on a pedestal anyway and this will only make the legal aspects of the situation more satisfactory from the standpoint of the legal rights of the women of the country." REPORT OF THE ELECTIONS COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL WOMAN'S PARTY CONVENTION BY MAIL, October 1945. The Elections Committee of the National Woman's Party met according to notice given one month in advance on Tuesday, October 16, 1945, at 9 A.M. in the dining room of the Alva Belmont House for the purpose of counting the votes cast in the Convention by Mail which had terminated the previous day. All envelopes which had been received were opened in the presence of the full committee. A count of the credentials showed that 197 votes had been cast. Of these votes only 156 were cast for the resolution. None was cast against the resolutions. 40 voters had mad suggestions and qualifications affecting the wording of the resolutions rather than the thought involved. Two resolutions had been sent to the Elections Committee after the Resolutions Committee had made its report. These resolutions together with all suggestions have been given to Miss Mary Elizabeth Downey, Chairman of the Resolutions Committee. The entire slate proposed by the Nominating Committee was elected. The vote for officers and for members of the National Council of the National Woman's Party is attached to this report. Accompanying the ballots were checks and cash for $108.00. Ten dollars of this represents a renewed active membership fee. $98.00 represents contributions to the expenses of the Convention by Mail. (Signed) Margaret H. Sebree, Chairman Members of the Elections Committee. The Chairman Hilda Chapple Gertrude Crocker Caroline Lexow Babock -2- Vote for National Officers Chairman Pollitzer 155 Wiley 34 Paul 3 Miller 2 Downey I Sebree I Wolfe I Total 197 1st. V. Chm. Wolfe 158 Sebree 31 Bittermann 3 Stevens 2 194 2nd. V. Chm. Williams 161 Sherwin 28 Berrien 2 Weed 2 Wiley I 194 3rd. V. Chm. Murrell 180 Sherwin 28 Crocker I Marks I Pollitzer I Walker I Weed I West I Williams I Wolfe I 192 Treasurer Greiner 154 Crocker 28 Berrien 4 Granger 4 Broy I 191 Secretary Sebree 162 Capewell 26 Avery 3 Moncure 2 Crocker I Granger I Goode I 196 Vote for Members of National Council Adamson, Ethel (N.J.) 182 Avery, Nina Horton (Va.) 162 Barney, Nora Stanton (Conn.) 187 Berrien, Laura M. (Ga.) 188 Brown, Mary Stockton (Pa.) 159 Broy, Cecil Norton (Va.) 147 Goode, Edith (Vt.) 185 Hayden, Lucretia M. (Ia.) 158 Huxtable, Zelma (Cal.) 163 Lutz, Alma (Mass.) 193 Mesta, Perle S. (Ariz.) 182 Miller, Emma Guffey (Pa.) 191 Speer, Alma Jane (D.C.) 169 Swing, Betty Gram (Mass.) 162 Walker, Amelia Himes (Md.) I83 Wells, Anges E. (Ind.) 188 West, Helen Hunt (Fla.)162 Winker, Lucy Rice (Cal.) 186 Wright, Alice Morgan (N.Y.) 184 Allender, Nina (Ill.) 4 Armstrong, Florence (Ia.) 28 Babcock, Caroline Lexow (D.C.) 3 Bahar, Mathilde (D.C.) 7 Barringer, Emily D. (Conn.) 9 Blair, Lorraine (Ill.) 28 Boyer, Gaeta Wold, (D.C.) 28 Buenzlu, Lois (Pa.) I Coates, Carolina (D.C.) 2 Crawford, Mary Sinclair (Cal.) 5 Crocker, Gertude (Ill.) 2 Earle, Louise S. (Mass.) I Grant, Jane (N.Y.) 28 Greathouse, Rebekah, S. (La.) 2 Horton, Marie (Wyo.) I Kitchelt, Florence (Conn.) 12 Matthews, Burnita S. (Miss.) 2 Moncure, Dorothy A. (Va.) 2 Murrell, Ethel Ernest (Fla.) 5 Norris, Katharine (D.C.) 30 Oatman, Miriam (D.C.) 28 -3- Ogle, Dora G. (Md.) I Pollitzer, Anita L. (S.C.) II Stevens, Doris (N.Y.) 30 Terrell, Mary Church (D.C.) 4 Weed, Helen Hill (Conn.) 4 Whitehurst, Mrs. John L. (Md.) 31 Williams, Margaret C. (N.Y.) 2 Wolfe, Clara Snell (Ohio) I National Women's Party Officers and Council Members Elected at Convention by Mail October 15, 1945 National Chairman: Anita Pollitzer, (Mrs. Elie Edson), S.C. 1st Vice Chairman: Mrs. Clara Snell Wolfe, Ohio 2nd Vice Chairman: Mrs. Margaret C. Williams, N.Y. 3rd Vice Chairman: Mrs. Ethel Ernest Murrell, Fla. Treasurer: Miss Gladys Greiner, Md.* Secretary: Mrs. Margaret H. Sebree, N.C. National Council Members: Mrs. Ethel Adamson, Middletown, N.J. Mrs. Nina Hortan Avery, Va. * Mrs. Nora Staton Barney, Conn.* Miss Laura M. Berrien, D.C. Mrs. Mary Stockton Brown, Pa.* Mrs. Cecil Norton Broy, Va. Miss Edith J. Goode, Vt. Mrs. M. Lucretia Hayden, Iowa Mrs. Miriam Y. Holden, N.Y.* Mrs. Zelma Huxtable, Calif.* Miss Alma Lutz, Mass. Mrs. Perle S. Mesta, Ariz. Mrs. Emma Guffey Miller, Pa. Dr. Alma Jane Spear, D.C.* Mrs. Betty Gram Swing, Mass.* Mrs. Amelia Himes Walker, Md. Dr. Agnes E. Wells, Ind.* Mrs. Helen Hunt West, Fla. Mrs. Lucy Rice Winkler, Calif. Miss Alice Morgan Wright, N.Y.* * Indicates new members on the National Council. so marked were members of the retiring Council. URGENT: Please write to the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, the Honorable Hatton W. Sumners, to thank him for the favorable report on the Equal Rights Amendment by the House Judiciary Committee, April 24. Mr. Sumners presided at the Judiciary Committee meeting. Please have as many letters of thanks as possible sent to the 15 members of the Committee who voted favorably. They are: Representatives: Zebulon Weaver (D), N.C. John H. Tolan (D), Calif. William T. Byrne (D), N.Y. Frank L. Chelf (D), Ky. Joseph R. Bryson (D), S.C. Fadjo Cravens (D), Ark. Clarence E. Hancock (R), N.Y. John M. Robsion (R), Ky. Chauncey W. Reed (R), Ill. Louis E. Graham (R), Penna. Raymond S. Springer (R), Ind. Joseph E. Talbot (R), Conn. Frank Fellows (R), Maine Earl R. Lewis (R), Ohio Angier L. Goodwin (R), Mass. Members of the House Judiciary Committee may be addressed: House Office Building, Washington, D. C. NATIONAL WOMAN'S PARTY 144 B Street, N.E. Washington 2, D. C. Atlantic 1210 November 2, 1945 Immediate Release WOMAN'S ENFRANCHISEMENT DAY Members of Congress active in carrying the Suffrage Amendment to victory twenty-five years ago, were paid special tribute today, November 2, by representatives of thirty-two national organizations in observance of the 25th Anniversary of the first Presidential vote cast by all American women. By special Congressional resolution, originating with Senator Kenneth McKellar (D) of Tennessee, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and Representative Angier L. Goodwin (R) of Massachusetts, and by proclamation of President Truman, today was celebrated throughout the country as Woman's Enfranchisement Day. A delegation of women representing thirty organizations, called on Senator Kenneth McKellar (D. Tenn.), whose aid in securing the last necessary ratification, by Tennessee, enabled women to vote in 1920; Senator Alben W. Barkley (D. Ky.), Majority Party leader in the Upper House, who gave early and courageous support to votes for women; Senator Arthur Capper (R. Kan.), life-long leader in the Suffrage movement; Representative Robert Crosser (D. Ohio), one of the first members of Congress to pledge his vote for the 19th Amendment; Representative Clarence F. Lea (D. Cal.), who cast his first important vote as a new Congressman for Suffrage; Representative Zebulon Weaver (D. N.C.); and Representative John M. Robsion (R. Ky.), respectively Chairman of the Sub-committee and ranking Republican of the House Judiciary Committee which has favorably reported the Equal Rights Amendment, extending equality under the law to women; and Representative Louis Ludlow (D. Ind.), one of the chief proponents of the pending Amendment and staunch friend of all efforts, advancing the cause of women's freedom. Scrolls, carrying a statement of their aid to the suffrage movement and an expression of profound gratitude, were presented to these old and tried supporters of equality for women. The delegation of women was led by Anita Pollitzer, Chairman of the New York City Committee of the National Woman's Party, and recently elected National Chairman. Women who addressed the various Senators and Representatives, included Mrs. Izetta Jewel Miller, West Virginia, on behalf of Democratic women who worked for suffrage; Mrs. Worthington Seranton of Pennsylvania, on behalf of Republican women who worked for suffrage; Dean Helen B. Arthur of the Washington College of Law, on behalf of the National Association of Women Lawyers; Miss Katherine Norris of Washington, on behalf of the Women's Joint Legislative Committee for Equal Rights; Miss Agnes Wynn of Washington, on behalf of the National Education Association; Miss Edit Goode of Vermont, on behalf of the National Woman's Party; Mrs. Ernest Daniel, Mrs. Brice Claggett, Mrs. Leslie Wright, Mrs. Gertrude Parks, of the D.C., on behalf of the American Federation of Soroptomists Clubs; Miss Mary E. Downey of Washington, on behalf of the Congress of States Societies; Miss Marguerite Rewalt, Washington, on behalf of the National Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs; Mrs. Leo Harlow of Virginia, on behalf of the St. Joan Society; Miss Marguerite Hall of Washington, on behalf of Pilot International; Mrs. Mary Church Terrell of Washington, on behalf of the National Association of Colored Women; Mrs. Lucia Hanna Hadley of Indiana, on behalf of the National Council of Women of the U.S.; Dr. Alma Jane Speer of Texas, on behalf of the National Women's Medical Association; Mrs. Caroline Coates of Maryland, on behalf of the W.C.T.U.; Mrs. Mary Wright Johnson of Washington, on behalf of the Women's Economic Council and the Housekeepers' Alliance. Another feature of the day was the gift of a flag flown over the Capitol in honor of Woman's Enfranchisement Day. This was later presented to the National Headquarters of the National Woman's Party by Representative Angier L. Goodwin of Massachusetts. Like the historic banners carried in the suffrage days it will become a part of the permanent suffrage records. [2-46] RELIGIOUS LEADERS ENDORSE THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT The Rev. Dr. William H. Alderson, First Methodist Church, Bridgeport, Connecticut, November 1945: "I always try to form my judgment on such questions as the Equal Rights Amendment on the basis of justice and common sense. It is therefore difficult to see how any reasonable opposition could be summoned against this proposal. I am for it and hope that it will be overwhelmingly supported." The Rev. W. Waldemar Argow, Minister, Unitarian Church of Baltimore City, Baltimore, Maryland, November 1945: "I am glad to add my support to the Federal Equal Rights Amendment. We in America pride ourselves upon the fact that we have only one law of justice for all, whether rich or poor, learned or unschooled, male or female. Yet this is a fiction. It is impossible to hold a person responsible if he has no rights and since women do not have equal rights with men, they should not be held accountable to the same laws. America is still in the half-free and half-slave stage -- the men are the "free" and the women the slaves, for the simple reason that the absence of comparative rights with another makes one a slave. There follows close upon this the implication that those who are slaves are by that token inferior, unentitled to the same respect and consideration one offers the "freedom." How long will we men continue to regard woman as a subspecies? Apparently the age of chivalry has not even begun! Since men and women have a common destiny, they must share in a common responsibility, and to this end they must have common or equal rights." Dr. Henry A. Atkinson, General Secretary, The Church Peace Union, New York, December, 1945: "I endorse the Amendment. I am in favor of an amendment to the Constitution of the United States which will grant to women equal rights with men. This should mean equal economic opportunity as well as political equality. I am not satisfied, however, to pin all my hopes on such an amendment. We need a continual campaign, demanding that the laws be interpreted to mean equality for all people. Any new laws passed must help to clarify the situation and to strengthen existing laws. In addition, all our agencies -- churches, social and business -- should be constantly on the alert to see that these laws are backed up by public opinion, which alone can make them effective." Dr. Roland H. Baiton, Professor of Ecclesiastical History, Yale University, November, 1945: "I am in favor of any legislation aiming to give women wider opportunity, and I am glad to endorse the Equal Rights Amendment." The Rev. R. Ira Barnett, Executive Secretary, Methodist Board of Education, State of Florida, Lakeland, Florida, February 1946: "I favor the Equal Rights Amendment. Thank you for writing me. Success to you in all like efforts." Dr. Robbins W. Barstow, Director, Commission for World Council Service, American Committee for the World Council of Churches, New York, November 1945: "I favor the Equal Rights Amendment." * This list has been arranged alphabetically. -2- The Rev. Dr. David Nelson Beach, Pastor, Center Church, New Haven, Connecticut, October 1945: "Inertia has a strange and pervasive power to paralyze and prejudice. The growing recognition of the competence and character of women as independent citizens has always had to struggle against inertia. It will have to struggle to enact the Equal Rights Amendment to our Federal Constitution. And I count it my privilege to record my support, free and enthusiastic, for the Amendment!" The Rev. Dr. Bernard Iddings Bell, Dean of the Episcopal Cathedral, Providence, Rhode Island, November 1945: "I have always believed and said that women should have by right and by law equal rights with men not only politically but economically -- and equal pay for equal work. There is no sane argument against it, at least that I have heard. Of course I am for the Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution of the United States." The Rev. Dr. Harold Bosley, Minister, Mt. Vernon Place Methodist Church, Baltimore, Maryland, November 1945: "I should like to place myself on record as being wholeheartedly in favor of the Equal Rights resolution which is now before the Congress of the United States. I sincerely hope that it will reach the ballots of this country because, I am convinced, the justice of its cause will commend it to the overwhelming majority of the American people. There is no more room for the double standard in the economic and political life of this nation than in the realm of morals and ethics. When the Equal Rights Amendment takes its place in the Constitution of the United States of America, we will have taken another long step forward away from feudalism." The Rev. Beverley M. Boyd, Executive Secretary, Department, Christian Social Relations, Federal Council of Churches of Christ in America, New York, September 1945: "I regard it as just and fundamental to have the principle of legal equality for men and women as stated in the Equal Rights Amendment incorporated in the Constitution. I urge immediate favorable report of this Amendment by the Senate Judiciary Sub-committee and wish this individual statement be laid before the Committee as part of the Hearing proceedings." The Rev. Malcolm K. Burton, Pastor, 2nd Congregational Church, New London, Connecticut, December 1945: "I favor the Equal Rights Amendment." The Rev. Thomas H. Campbell, Pastor, Westville Congregational Church, New Haven, Connecticut, October 1945: "A subservient legal status for women is an anachronism in the light of the professed ideals of our day. The passage of the Equal Rights Amendment is essential in closing the gap between these ideals and accepted practices. It would represent a step forward in the fulfillment of genuine democratic life in America." THE CHURCHMAN, September 1, 1945: "Give Women Their Rights "It was 97 years ago, in Seneca Falls, New York, that the first woman's rights convention in the world's history was held. The leaders in the movement were Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Mrs. Lucretia Mott. A statement read by Mrs. Stanton at that meeting said: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men and women are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights . . . .' -3- "Since then, under the leadership of many distinguished women, enormous advances toward complete equal rights under the law have been made. For some years, led by the National Woman's Party, a fight has been carried on for an amendment to the Constitution which will read; 'Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.' With the end of the war and the universal appreciation of the efficient contribution women have made to the war effort, including the field of industry, the campaign for the amendment is receiving strong backing, even from many who were formerly opposed to its adoption. We endorse the words of one of these, Dr. Worth M. Tippy, secretary emeritus of the Federal Council of Churches, who has recently said: "'Women should have wide open doors to employment. Wartime industries have shown that they are equal to any jobs for which they are individually fitted by aptitude and training. A full employment program should include women who desire work outside the home; also equal opportunities for night and day work, equal pay for equal work, equal opportunity for advancement, and equal protection of health, safety, and seniority. These rights, as also to property, to their own children, and to democracy in the home, should have this final legal status in the Constitution of the United States to safeguard these rights, to correct unfair practices and legislation, and to set a standard before the nation. That this should be an issue, and should be necessary, is a humiliating revelation of our social lag.'" The Rev. Dr. Russell J. Clinchy, Center Church, Hartford, Connecticut, December 1945: "I am very glad to add my name to the list of those who are in favor of the Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution. The civil rights and duties of men and women should be equal." The Rev. Donald B. Cloward, Executive Secretary, Council on Christian Social Progress, Northern Baptist Convention, New York City, September 1945: "The Equal Rights Amendment is a constructive measure and should be passed. Any legislation ought to protect individuals in accordance with need or the hazard of the job. And until wages and salaries are adjusted to meet basic family responsibilities, women in commerce and industry should receive equal pay with men for the same skills and performance. "Numerous laws on the statute books seemingly enacted to protect women actually discriminate against them in favor of men. Only a uniform national law such as is proposed in the Equal Rights Amendment will correct this inequality." The Rev. A. Powell Davies, Minister, All Souls Church (Unitarian), Washington, D.C., November 1945: "I am in full agreement with your program for the Equal Rights Amendment. All this should have been done long ago." The Rev. Dr. Wilbur S. Deming, The First Congregational Church, Washington, Connecticut, November 1945: "I heartily endorse the Amendment (Equal Rights) and trust that it may soon be written into the law of the land." -4- Dennis, Cardinal Dougherty, Archbishop of Philadelphia, September, 1945: "Apropos of the Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution according to which it is proposed to give women full constitutional rights, I am glad to hear from you that his Excellency, President Truman, and also the Judiciary Committee of the House of Representatives are heartily in favor of this Amendment. Personally I agree with them in this matter." Dr. Frederick May Eliot, President, American Unitarian Association, Boston, Massachusetts: "It has long seemed to me that the Equal Rights Amendment to the Federal Constitution ought to be adopted because it simply makes explicit and definite what I think the vast majority of the American people really want. Indeed, I suspect most Americans still take it for granted that the Woman Suffrage Amendment guarantees equality of rights for men and women, and when they discover that this is not so I am confident almost all of them would be ready and eager to take whatever steps may be necessary to accomplish the end they have in mind. If the use of my name would be of any value in the effort to promote the campaign for the adoption of this amendment, I should be very glad to have you use it." The Rev. Dr. E. Kenneth Feaver, Minister, Union Presbyterian Church, Laramie, Wyoming, December 1945: "It is with hearty approval that I lend my full support to the Equal Rights Amendment. The day has come when women should be permitted and encouraged to exercise their full rights of citizenship with equal opportunity alongside the men. Anything that I might be able to do in behalf of this movement, I shall be glad to do." Rabbi Abraham J. Feldman, Congregation Beth Israel, Hartford, Connecticut, December 1945: "You may put me down as one who is in favor of the Amendment for the assurance of equal rights to women." The Rev. George M. Gibson, Minister, United Churches of Hyde Park Congregational- Presbyterian Church, Chicago, Illinois, November 1945: "I wish to commend the Equal Rights Amendment now under discussion. I consider the purpose of this resolution in full keeping with the intent of American democracy, and feel that the measure is properly designed to meet the problem of inequalities on the basis of sex. Since these inequalities are a mere inheritance of the past, this measure in my judgment will bring the situation up to the public opinion already prepared." Rabbi Robert E. Goldberg, Congregation Mishken Israel, New Haven, Connecticut, December 1945: "I favor the Equal Rights Amendment." Greater Miami Ministerial Association, Miami, Florida, W. G. Staacener, President, in a letter to members of the Judiciary Committee of the House of Representatives, October 28, 1943: "At a meeting of the Executive Board of the Greater Miami Ministerial Association on October 28, it was passed by a unanimous vote that our Association express to you, a Congressional Leader, that in accordance with the Democratic principles of our country we desire that the Equal Rights Amendment be given a hearing on the floor of Congress." -5- The Rev. Dr. Theodore Ainsworth Greene, Minister, First Church of Christ, New Britain, Connecticut, November 1945: "I am heartily in favor of the Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution. We need to give women wider opportunities." Dr. John L. Gregory, Executive Secretary, New Haven Council of Churches, November 1945: "Equality of rights, I take it, was one of the goals of our founding fathers in the writing and approving of the Declaration of Independence. It is very definitely one of the goals of the Charter of the United Nations. As long as this just principle is ignored, we, as Americans, are living up neither to the first nor the last of our great Governmental Declarations. Discrimination of sex, in this regard, is absolutely incompatible with either the Christian or American ideal. Unless we are to continue as hypocrites, we must see to it that the Equal Rights Amendment becomes the law of the land." Dr. Hugh Hartshorne, Professor, Yale University Divinity School, New Haven, Connecticut, November 1945: "I favor the Equal Rights Amendment." The Rev. Fred Hoskins, Minister, United Church, Bridgeport, Connecticut, November 1945: "The passage of the Equal Rights Amendment is necessary to help close the gap between our profession and our practice. I hope the Amendment will be adopted. I am glad to endorse it." The Rev. Dr. Roy M. Houghton, Church of Christ Congregational, Milford, Connecticut, December 1945: "I am heartily in favor of the Equal Rights Amendment." Dr. E. Stanley Jones, internationally known author and missionary of the Methodist Church, November 1945: "I believe it is the birthright of every person, regardless of race, color, sex, or religion, to have equality of opportunity in our society. We cannot give equality. That must be earned by character and achievement. But equality of opportunity is the birthright of each person as a person. I am therefore in the heartiest agreement with the Equal Rights Amendment." The Rev. J. Oscar Lee, Field Secretary, Department of Race Relations, Federal Council of Churches of Christ in America, November 1945: "For women who have contributed so much to the building of this great Nation, I covet and urge full equality under the law. Therefore I favor the Equal Rights Amendment." The Rev. Payson Miller, First Unitarian Congregational Society, Hartford, Connecticut, November 1945: "To me it seems strange that there should be any debate about the desirability of the Equal Rights Amendment. A scientific view of society indicates that women should be treated as individuals on the same basis as men." The Rev. Victor Nedzelnitsky, Pastor, Russian Orthodox Church, New Haven, Connecticut, January 1946: "I favor the Equal Rights Amendment." -6- Dr. William Stuart Nelson, Dean, School of Religion, Howard University, Washington, D. C., January 1946: "I wish to express my hearty endorsement of the Equal Rights Amendment. In my judgment it offers women the best protection against inequalities to which they have traditionally been subjected and which in a true democracy are intolerable." The Rt. Rev. G. Ashton Oldham, Bishop of the Diocese of Albany, (Episcopal), New York November 1945: "The proposed amendment to the Constitution for Equal Rights is so obviously right and just that I cannot see how there can be any debate on the matter. I am heartily in favor of it and should be happy to think that America might lead the world in this important step." The Rev. Dr. G. Bromley Oxnam, Bishop of the Methodist Church, New York Area, and President of the Federal Council of Churches of Christ in America, November 1945: "I strongly favor the Equal Rights Amendment. It is a sad commentary upon modern society that full equality has not long since been given women. In an hour when liberty must be preserved and equality established, certain it is that both liberty and equality demand that no human being shall suffer disability of any kind because of sex. We need the Amendment, but, more, we need the spirit essential to its practice." The Rev. Dr. J. Melvin Prior, Central Baptist Church, Hartford, Connecticut, December 1945: "For the life of me I can see no sound argument against the Equal Rights Amendment which would give women equal status before the law. What puzzles me is why we have not done it before. I hope that you will have success in your campaign." Rabbi Jacob S. Raisin, Rabbi Emeritus, Congregation Beth Elohim, Charleston, S.C., September 1945: "I heartily endorse the Equal Rights Amendment, for justice under the law regardless of sex is as fundamental a part of Democracy as is the right to vote. Upon all of God's creatures regardless of color, sex, or creed let the Divine Spirit of justice rest." The Rev. W. Glenn Roberts, General Secretary, Connecticut Council of Churches, Hartford, Connecticut, November 1945: "I am certain that the Church would be doing violence to its own theology if it denied any person, regardless of sex or any other consideration, the fullest sort of opportunity for growth. The responsibilities of citizenship are certainly one important avenue of growth. It is time for civilized, Christian Americans to take the final step away from this idea that women are chattel and unimportant in their own right." The Rev. John J. Snavely, First Methodist Church, Waterbury, Connecticut, November, 1945: "I favor the Equal Rights Amendment." The Rev. Theodore G. Soares, Professor of Social Ethics, California Institute of Technology: "I thoroughly approve of the Equal Rights Amendment." -7- The Rev. Frank L. Stuck, Minister, First Christian Church, Lakeland, Florida, February 1946: "I wish to state that I favor the Equal Rights Amendment and look upon it as a step in the right direction for this modern day. Our nation asked women to serve in many ways during the recent war as their patriotic duty. Now it behooves our nation to see that they have equal rights as citizens." Dr. Charles T. Thrift, Dean, School of Religion, Florida Southern College, Lakeland, Florida, February 1946: "I favor the Equal Rights Amendment. This Amendment is long overdue." Dr. Worth M. Tippy, Secretary Emeritus, Federal Council of Churches of Christ in America, July 1945: "I have reversed my point of view about the equal rights amendment, which reads: 'Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.' I held to a widespread opinion that the amendment would break down protective legislation safeguarding women employed outside the home. "Time and the present war have completely changed my mind. Women should have wide open doors to employment. Wartime industries have shown that they are equal to any jobs for which they are fitted by aptitude and training. Full employment must include women workers outside the home; also equal opportunities for night and day work, equal pay for equal work, equal opportunity for advancement, and equal protection of health, safety, and seniority. These rights, as also to property, to their own children, and to democracy in the home, should have this final legal status in the Constitution of the United States. That this should be an issue and should be necessary is a humiliating revelation of our social lag. "While not involved in the equal rights amendment, the time must come when the homemaker shall have equal recognition and honor in public thinking with the so-called employed woman, and equal rights with her husband in property and income." The Rev. Robert Leonard Tucker, First Methodist Church, New Haven, Connecticut, November 1945: "I am very glad to favor the Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution. The passing of this Amendment will right a wrong and will complete an action which is long overdue." Dr. Paul H. Vieth, Professor of Christian Nurture, Yale University, October, 1945: "I am in favor of the proposed amendment to the United States Constitution which would seek to provide for equality of rights under the law for women. It would seem that such a law is long overdue." The Rev. Dr. John Curry Walker, Second Congregational Church, Waterbury, Connecticut, November 1945: "I am in favor of the Equal Rights Amendment." The Rev. Dr. Lloyd F. Worley, First Methodist Church, Stamford, Connecticut, December 1945: "Genuine Democracy and vital Christianity are in agreement concerning the maintenance of basic human rights without regard to sex. The Equal Rights Amendment should have the support of all those who are aligned with either or both philosophies of life." -8- Yonkers Federation of Churches, including 55 churches, representing 12 denominations, the Salvation Army, the Y.M.C.A. and the Y.W.C.A., in a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee, December 1945: "The Assembly of the Yonkers Federation of Churches meeting on Tuesday, December 11th, 1945, voted unanimously to endorse the Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution." THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT "Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex. "Congress and the several States shall have power, within their respective jurisdictions, to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. "This amendment shall take effect three years after the date of ratification." (Reported favorably by the Senate and the House Judiciary Committee in the present Congress -- 79th Congress) Compiled by the Committee on Church Cooperation of the National Woman's Party Evelyn K. Samras, Chairman, 144 B Street, Washington 2, D. C., February 1946. January 9, 1947 DEAR MEMBERS OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA BRANCH OF THE NATIONAL WOMAN'S PARTY: It has no doubt come to your attention that Miss Mary Elizabeth Downey, acting as Chairman of the District of Columbia Branch of the National Woman's Party, but without consulting the members of the Branch, or calling a meeting to ascertain the will of the members, has taken an active part in a so-called National "Convention" of the National Woman's party called for January 10, 11 and 12, 1947, at the Mayflower Hotel, Washington, D. C. What we think you ought to know is that the "Convention" of January 10, 11 and 12, 1947, was voted upon at a National Council meeting held on October 27, 1946, which was called without the knowledge of the National Chairman, Miss Anita Pollitzer, the three Vice Chairmen, the Treasurer and the Assistant Treasurer of the National Woman's party and the majority of the National Executive Committee; that at a meeting of the National Executive Committee on November 20, 1946, at Washington, D. C., with only one dissenting vote, it was voted to repudiate the so-called "Convention" of January 10, 11 and 12, 1947; that on December 15, 1946, at a regular meeting held at Indianapolis, Indiana, the National Council of the National Woman's Party approved the action taken by the National Executive Committee and by a unanimous vote repudiated the so-called "Convention" of January 10, 11 and 12, 1947. At the meeting of the National Council held on December 15, 1946, it was also voted unanimously that the Party would not be responsible for any arrangements or obligations, financial or otherwise, resulting from actions taken at the October 27, 1946, meeting. A date in April of 1947 was set for the authorized Convention of the National Woman's Party. We find it necessary to inform all the members of the District of Columbia Branch of the aforesaid action of the National Council of the National Woman's Party because Miss Downey, upon being requested to do so, refused to furnish us (two Past Chairmen and the Treasurer) with the names of those persons whom she has - 2 - appointed as delegates to the so-called "Convention" of January 10, 11 and 12, 1947, and even refused to tell us how many delegates she has appointed. Mary Elizabeth Downey, as you may recall, has been acting as Chairman of the District of Columbia Branch since the early part of 1942. During all that time the only pretense she has made of calling a business meeting of the members of the Branch was in June of 1945 and the only notice the members had of the meeting was a small item on the society page of the Sunday paper the day before the meeting. No nominating committee was appointed or elected for the purpose of selecting and submitting to the members of the Branch for consideration the names of candidates for the offices of the Branch, and no one appeared at the meeting except part of the Executive Board. On Sunday, January 5, 1947, there was presented to Miss Mathilde Bahar, who is acting as Secretary of the District of Columbia Branch a petition, signed by ten members of the Branch whose dues for the current year are fully paid, requesting that the Secretary call a special meeting of the Branch on January 18, 1947, at National Headquarters, for the following purposes: Election of a committee to prepare and submit to a business meeting of the branch a constitution or by-laws for the branch. Electing a nominating committee to select candidates for the offices of the branch. An explanation by the present Acting Chairman of the position which she has taken opposing the officers of the National Woman's Party, of which this organization is a branch. Setting a date for the election of officers and the ratification of a constitution. Such other business as may be considered by the members as proper for the furtherance of the work for which the members of the District of Columbia Branch have expended their funds and efforts. To date the Secretary has taken no action on the petition. On Monday, January 6, 1947, we called upon Miss Downey and presented her with a copy of the petition and requested her to direct the Secretary to rule one way or another upon the petition. Miss - 3 - Downey, after consulting with the Secretary by telephone, advised that in order for a meeting to be "legal" it would have to be authorized by the officers, sitting as the Executive Board of the Branch, and that she would call a Board meeting at any time and at any place desired by the Treasurer. The Treasurer requested that a meeting be called on January 7, 1947, and offered her office as a meeting place. As of this date, however, no Board meeting has been called, and Miss Downey advised the Treasurer on January 8, 1947, upon inquiry, that it would take some time before the officers comprising the Board could be gotten together and stated that it would probably not be before the 15th or 16th of January, 1947, (after the so-called "Convention"). Ever since the beginning of Miss Downey's administration a search has been made by members of the Executive Board for a Constitution or by-laws of the District of Columbia Branch. None could be located, although former Chairmen were requested to search their files, a search was made at the Archives at National Headquarters and at the office of the Recorder of Deeds for the District of Columbia. At a meeting of the Executive Board of the Branch held in the latter part of December 1946 there was presented a draft of a Constitution written by two members of the Board from memory. That Constitution may be submitted to you for ratification since the Executive Board has discussed and approved what are referred to as certain amendments and revisions of the Branch Constitution. If the Constitution written from memory is submitted to you for ratification, we ask that you bear in mind the fact that yo you have the right to elect a committee to prepare and submit to you for ratification a proposed constitution, and that as we are a branch of a national organization our Constitution must be approved by the National Woman's Party. The one discussed and approved by the Board was certainly not submitted to the National organization for approval. We hesitate taking this action, but you are entitled to know what is going on. No one else wants to take the responsibility. Sincerely yours, MARIE MOORE FORREST, Past Chairman LUCIA HANNA HADLEY, Past Chairman NAOMI WHEELER, Treasurer PLEASE NOTE CAREFULLY By unanimous vote of the Executive Board of the District of Columbia.Branch of the National Woman's Party: Annual Meeting Place: The home of Mrs. Anna Kelton Wiley 2345 Asbmead Place N.W. Date: May 12, 1947. Time: 7:30 P.M. KATHRYN PAINTER WARD Corresponding Secretary April 26, 1947 DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA BRANCH NATIONAL WOMAN'S PARTY April 26, 1947 Dear Members: A meeting of the Executive Board of the District of Columbia Branch, National Woman's Party, was held on April 19, 1947, at the home of Dr. Miriam E. Oatman. The following members were present: Mary E. Downey, Chairman; May Rhoads, First Vice Chairman, Miriam E. Oatman, Second Vice Chairman; Kathryn Painter Ward, Corresponding Secretary; and Mathilde Bahar, Recording Secretary. The following resolutions were passed unanimously. I Whereas: The National Woman's Party elected its officers at a National Convention, duly and legally called and conducted, held at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C., on January 10 and 11, 1947, And Whereas: The District of Columbia Branch of the National Woman's Party participated in said Convention, and through its delegates and other Constitutional representatives voted in the election, Therefore, Be it Resolved: That The Executive Board of the District of Columbia Branch recognizes the election of Mrs. Sara A. Whitehurst as Chairman of the National Woman's Party, and of all other officers elected at said Convention; And That: The Corresponding Secretary of the Board be instructed 1) to send Mrs. Whitehurst a copy of this resolution, together with loyal greetings from the Board, 2) to send Miss Anita Pollitzer a copy of this resolution; and 3) to send copies to the members of the District of Columbia Branch of the National Woman's Party. II Whereas: The National Woman's Party is dedicated to equal treatment of all persons, under the law: And Whereas: The beloved Chairman of the District of Columbia Branch of the National Woman's Party, Miss Mary E. Downey (who has also been the devoted Librarian of the Florence Bayard Hilles Library at Alva Belmont House for six years, has played a principal part in building up that Library, and is almost entirely responsible for its systematic organization): 1) was threatened with eviction from her room at Headquarters including being awakened at the untimely hour of 2 A.M. by persons to be informed of same, and subjected to a long series of other annoyance and indignities; 2) was finally evicted in a shocking and brutal manner, on February 10 1947, although Miss Lacey, attorney for Miss Alice Paul, Miss Anita Pollitzer, and others hold Alva Belmont House by force, has assured the attorneys of the National Women's Party that the threat of eviction would not be carried out; 3) was looked out and left on the street without a solitary possession except the clothes that she was wearing, without the barest necessities of life, and without money, even for carfare; 4) was refused any opportunity to reenter Headquarters even for a few moments to obtain clothing and money; 5) was finally, after much suffering, admitted to obtain her possessions only at the intervention of attorneys; and 6) was subjected to insults and indignities even while gather her belongings together for removal; Therefore, Be It Resolved: That: The Executive Board of the District of Columbia Brand of the National Woman's Party expresses its distress and indignation at such indefensible treatment of one who has done so much for the National Woman's Party and for the District Branch; That: It particularly regrets the part taken in the eviction by a sister officer in the District of Columbia Branch; That: The Board hereby expresses to Miss Downey: 1) its affection and loyalty; 2) and its great appreciation of her services in holding the Branch together as a functioning unit during the war years...... III Whereas: The Executive Board of the District of Columbia Brand of the National Woman's Party, at its meeting held in December 1946, voted: 1. To participate in the National Convention of the Party, to be held in Washington on January 10, 11, and 12, 1947; 2. To appropriate from the Branch Treasury the sum of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) toward the expenses of said Convention; 3. To give a tea at Alva Belmont House on Sunday afternoon, January 12, in honor of the delegates and visitors attending the Convention; Whereas: The Branch, led by its beloved Chairman, Miss Mary E. Downey, did participate in the Convention, and did extend hospitality to the delegates and visitors insofar as it was able; Whereas: The Executive Board, having learned that the Treasurer had not paid to the Convention Chairman the sum appropriated at the December meeting, did at a meeting held on April 9, 1947, again order that the said sum to be paid; And Whereas: The Treasurer has refused to pay the said sum; Therefore, Be It Resolved: That: The Board hereby reaffirms its complete confidence in its Chairman, Miss Downey, and its affectionate appreciation of all that she has done in carrying out the decisions of the Board so far as possible; That: The Board regrets that it was unable to entertain the delegates and visitors to the Convention at ten in Alva Belmont House, because the former officers of the National Woman's Party have refused since January 11, 1947 to permit the House to be used by those who participated in the Convention and have physically barred the House against such members of the Party; And That: The Board hareby orders immediate payment of its pledge of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) toward the expenses of the Convention, to the Treasurer of the National Woman's Party, Miss Gertrude L. Crocker. MATHILDE BARAR, Recording Secretary. AGREEMENT DATED MAY 8, 1947 WHEREAS, Alice Morgan Wright has been named as a defendant in an action entitled National Woman's Party v. Pollitzer, et al., which is now pending in the District Court of the United States for the District of Columbia, and WHEREAS, said Alice Morgan Wright has expressed opposition to resort to legal procedure by members of the National Woman's Party in settlement of internal disputes, and wishes to be dismissed as a defendant in the action aforesaid, THEREFORE, it is mutually agreed between Alice Morgan Wright and Charles A. Horsky, counsel for the National Woman's Party in the action above referred to: 1. That Alice Morgan Wright will remain in the future wholly neutral in the controversy which forms the basis of the above-mentioned litigation and will therefore make no further contributions of money or services directly or indirectly to aid the defendants, plaintiffs, or other person in the prosecution or defense of said suit. 2. That Charles A. Horsky is authorized to send copies of this agreement to such persons as he deems appropriately interested. 3. That upon the execution of this contract, said Charles A. Horsky will immediately enter an order dismissing the case as against said Alice Morgan Wright. /s/ Alice Morgan Wright Alice Morgan Wright /s/ Charles A. Horsky Charles A. Horsky, Counsel for the National Woman's Party, plaintiff in the above-mentioned case. An identical agreement with Edith J. Goode is dated May 10, 1947. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA BRANCH NATIONAL WOMAN'S PARTY The annual business meeting of the District of Columbia Branch of the National Woman's Party was held on May 12, 1947, At the seat of the National Headquarters, the membership of the largest Branch of the Party reaffirmed Resolutions I and II below, previously passed by the outgoing Board, and passed Resolutions III and IV. I Whereas: The National Woman's Party elected its officers at a National Convention duly and legally called and conducted, held at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D. C. , on January 10 and 11, 1947; And Whereas: The District of Columbia Branch of the National Woman's Party participated in said Convention, and through its delegates and other Constitutional representatives voted in the election; Therefore, Be it Resolved: That: The District of Columbia Branch recognizes the election of Mrs. Sara A. Whitehurst as Chairman of the National Woman's Party, and of all other officers elected at said Convention and pledges to her its loyal support; II Whereas: The National Woman's Party is dedicated to equal treatment of all persons, under the law; And Whereas: The beloved Chairman of the District of Columbia Branch of the National Woman's Party, Miss Mary E. Downey (who has also been the devoted Librarian of the Florence Bayard Hilles Library at Alva Belmont House for six years, has played a principal part in building up that Library, and is almost en tirely responsible for its systematic organization); 1) was threatened with eviction from her room at Headquarters including being awakened at the untimely hour of 2 A.M. by persons to be informed of same, and subjected to a long series of other annoyances and indignities; 2) was finally evicted in a shocking and brutal manner, on February 10, 1947, although Miss Lacey, attorney for Miss Alice Paul, Miss Anita Pollitzer, and others holding Alva Belmont House by force, has assured the attorneys of the National Woman's Party that the threat of eviction would not be carried out; 3) was locked out and left on the street without a solitary possession except the clothes that she was wearing, without the barest necessities of life, and without money, even for carfare; 4) was refused any opportunity to reenter Headquarters even for a few moments to obtain clothing and money; 5) was finally, after much suffering, admitted to obtain her possessions only at the intervention of attorneys; and 6) was subjected to insults and indignities even while gathering her belongings together for removal; - 2 - Therefore, Be it Resolved: That: The District of Columbia Branch of the National Woman's Party hereby expresses its distress and indignation at such indefensible treatment of one who has done so much for the National Women's Party and for the District Branch; That: The Branch hereby expresses to Miss Downey: 1) its affection and loyalty; 2) and its great appreciation of her services in holding the Branch together as a functioning unit during the war years III Whereas: A minority group of the National Woman's Party, headed by Miss Alice Paul and Miss Anita Pollitzer, acting without proper authority in violation of all ethical considerations, has taken possession of the Headquarters of the National Woman's Party and is holding such premises by force, excluding therefrom both the new officers elected by the constitutionally called National Convention held at the Mayflower Hotel, Washington, D. C. , on January 10 and 11, 1947, and all members of the Party who were associated with said Convention; And Whereas: The District of Columbia Branch of the National Woman's Party, many of whose most active members have seen and are associated with the majority group which called the Convention, having long been accustomed to avail itself of the facilities of Headquarters (in calling general meetings and Board meetings there, and in holding educational and social events there for the common benefit of Branch and National Work), is consequently suffering a particular and severe deprivation because of this unwarranted exclusion; Therefore, Be it Resolved: That: The District of Columbia Branch of the National Woman's Party hereby; 1) expresses its indignation and sense of outrage at the said actions of the minority group; 2) insists upon the recognition of all elements in the Party, of the National officers duly elected by the convention; 3) demands the turning over to said officers of all property belonging to the Party; and 4) calls for the immediate opening of Headquarters, for the use of all members of the National Woman's Party. IV Whereas: After the election of officers by the National Woman's Party at its constitutionally called Convention held in the Mayflower Hotel, Washington D. C., on January 10 and 11, 1947, Miss Alice Paul, Miss Anita Pollitzer, and several persons closely associated with them, representing a minority group of the Party, in interviews with representatives of the Press made - 3 - false and libelous statements regarding the Convention and the persons who had participated therein: And Whereas: Before, during and after the Convention the same minority group, using the organ of the National Woman's Party, Equal Rights disseminated many misrepresentations and falsehoods relating to the Convention and to the participants; And Whereas: From the time when definite plans for the Convention were formulated, down to the present, the same minority group has engaged in a campaign of vilification and injury, designed at first to prevent the holding of the Convention and later to harm in every possible way those who had taken part in it or had otherwise supported it; Therefore, Be it Resolved: That: The District of Columbia Branch of the National Woman's Party hereby; 1) repudiates all the above-mentioned false statements, misrepresentations, and injurious actions of the said minority group; 2) expresses its indignation at such course of conduct; and 3) declares it to be the sense of the Branch that the persons responsible for the same have demonstrated their unfitness for leadership in a democratic organization; That: The District of Columbia Branch hereby pledges itself by every possible means in disseminating the truth and undoing the harm done by the minority group; And That: Copies of this resolution and of all others adopted by the Branch at the present meeting be sent to Miss Paul, Miss Pollitzer, and all other interested persons entitled to have them. [*Kathryn Painter Ward*] KATHRYN PAINTER WARD Chairman SUMMARY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTION by VOTELESS D.C. LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS (As of May 12, 1947) The Bill & Author Provisions Status DC LWV Action S.R. 6 - Capper National Representation Returned to Sen. Support for Dist. of Columbia Sub-Com. S. 215 - O'Mahoney Federal payment to DC. Sen. D.ofC. Com. Qualified support S. 354 - McCarren Federal City Charter Failed unanimous Support Commission consent in Senate On Calendar. H.R. 498-Hebert Childrens' needs in Welfare sub-com. Qualified support Public Welfare of D.C. Com H.R. 499-Hebert Correctional Care for " " " Qualified Children, etc. opposition H.R. 1325 Federal Payment to DC D.C. Com. Qualified support H.R. 2279-Dirksen Tax on Amusement Joint Fiscal Support Tickets Affairs sub-com. of D.C. Com. H.R. 2281 - " Tax on Cigarettes " " " Support H.R. 2282 " Income Tax Revision " " " Support with addition H.R. 2280 " Tax on Public Utility bills " " " Opposition H.R. 2284 " Tax on Alcoholic Beverages " " " Support H.R. 2290 " Sales Tax " " " Opposition H.R. 2191-St. George Classify Supt. of Natl. Train- D.C. Com. Support ing School for Girls H.R. 2976-Dirksen Teachers' Pay Increases Joint Fiscal Aff. Support sub-com., D.C. Com. (H.R. 3203-Wolcott Rent Control in D.C. Passed House May 1) Qualified (S. 1017-Buck-Cail On Senate Calendar) Support ( Fulbright. (S.866-Taft-Ellender- National Housing Policy Reported favorably Support (Wagner. out of Com. Now on H.R.2523-Javitz Senate Calendar. In House Banking currency Com. (SUMMARY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTION) THE BILL & AUTHOR (S. 472-Taft-Hill-Thomas (Ellender-Cooper- (Tobey-Chavez-Smith (H.R. 2953-McCowen PROVISIONS Federal aid to education STATUS In Sen. Com. on Labor & Public Welfare, House Com. on Ed & Labor DC LWV Action Support THE BILL & AUTHOR H.R. 1-Knudsen PROVISIONS Reduction in personal income tax STATUS Passed House 3/27; amended, 3/27 Passed Senate Com. On Sen Calendar DC LWV ACTION Opposition THE BILL & AUTHOR H.R. 2007-Wadsworth S.J. Res. 67-Taft PROVISIONS New Status of Women STATUS In Judiciary Com. of Sen. & House DC LWV ACTION Support THE BILL & AUTHOR H.J. Res. 153-Eaton PROVISIONS $350 million relief to Austria, Hungary, Greece, Italy, Poland & China STATUS Passed House 4/30 but was reduced to $200 million. On Sen. Calendar DC LWV ACTION Support THE BILL & AUTHOR H. Res. 52-Jenkins H.R. 1130-Reed H.R. 1123-Lewis, etc. PROVISIONS Bills to postpone (52) forbid (1130) or require Congressional approval of (1123) Reciprocal Trade Agreements. STATUS In Sen. Finance & House Ways & Means Coms. DC LWV ACTION Opposition THE BILL & AUTHOR S. 814 (Section 4) PROVISIONS Amendment to bill passed by Senate Authorizing Commodity Credit Corporation to continue support prices of domestic wool which would instruct the Sect. of Agr. to impose a fee of 50% on imported wool whenever he finds it interfers with US wool support price program. STATUS In House Rules Com. DC LWV ACTION Opposition* THE BILL & AUTHOR S.J.Res.77-Vandenberg H.J. Res.139-Eaton PROVISIONS Authorization for US membership in International Refugee Organization STATUS Passed Senate 3/25. Hearings by House For. Aff.Com. pend. DC LWV ACTION Support THE BILL & AUTHOR H.R.2910-Stratton PROVISIONS Relaxation of immigration law to permit entry of U.S. share of displaced persons. STATUS In Judiciary Com. No hearings scheduled. DC LWV ACTION Support Action * Write your Senators and your Congressmen in opposition to Section 4. VOTELESS DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS Current Agenda 1947-1948 1. LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT AND NATIONAL REPRESENTATION (a) Community education. (b) A suitable charter for the District of Columbia. (c) A constitutional amendment enabling Congress to grant representation in the Congress and among the electors of Pres. and Vice Pres. to the people of the District of Columbia. 2. REORGANIZATION OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA to define clearly the responsibility of public functions and personnel, in particular (a) A welfare department (with an advisory board) as an integral part of the District government. (b) A new school code to reorganize and centralize administration of the public school system. (c) A centralized labor department to ensure better enforcement of labor laws of the District. 3. SOURCE AND USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS WHICH WILL ADEQUATELY MEET THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY. 4. HOUSING AND COMMUNITY PLANNING (a) A long range housing program to meet the needs of low and middle income families. (b) A comprehensive plan for the Washington metropolitan area to be developed by the planning commissions in co-operation with agencies responsible for such facilities as highways, schools, public buildings, parks and playgrounds, housing and zoning. 5. ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION IN SERVICES OF THE GOVERNMENT (a) Intergroup education in the public schools. (b) Adult education in the community. Items 1, 2 and 3 continue as points of current interest. Items 4 and 5 are placed on the current agenda to emphasize their importance at this time. The Current Agenda adopted at the national convention by the League of Women Voters of the United States becomes the program of the District League of Women Voters on the national level. INTERNATIONAL CONTROL OF ATOMIC ENERGY THROUGH THE UNITED NATIONS: DOMESTIC CONTROL OF ATOMIC ENERGY UNDER A CIVILIAN AGENCY TO INSURE FULL DEVELOPMENT IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST ACCEPTANCE BY THE UNITED STATES OF ITS FULL SHARE OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR STRENGTHENING THE UNITED NATIONS GOVERNMENTAL ECONOMIC POLICIES WHICH WILL PREVENT INFLATION AND DEFLATION AND STIMULATE MAXIMUM PRODUCTION AND EMPLOYMENT STRENGTHENING THE ORGANIZATION AND PROCEDURES OF THE CONGRESS Action may include: Providing information for our members and the public, developing public opinion and supporting or opposing legislation related to the League program. The Board of Directors will decide when action will be the most effective in achieving the desired goals. ACTION TAKEN ON THE LOCAL LEVEL BY THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS 1946-1947 A. REORGANIZATION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA GOVERNMENT SO THAT IT MAY BE MORE DEMOCRATIC AND EFFICIENT. 1. Testified before Judiciary and Senate District Committees in favor of the McCarran bill to set up a City Charter Commission. 2. Worked with Central Suffrage Conference and Legislative Council. 3. Participated in planning and work, of election day plebiscite. 4. Prepared pamphlet "District Suffrage? We Say Yes." 5. Supplied pamphlet "Washington Is Your City" to public libraries. 6. Studied forms of city governments. 7. Studied fiscal relationships between city and state governments. 8. Reconsidered an autonomous school board-vs-department of education. 9. Reconsidered stand in favor of a department of public welfare. Reaffirmed this stand by letters and testimony at hearings of Commissioners. 10. Studied the survey of the Metropolitan Health Council. 11. Studied Social Survey on Labor-Management. B. POLICIES ON THE SOURCE AND USE OF FUNDS WHICH WILL ADEQUATELY MEET THE NEEDS OF PUBLIC FUNCITONS. 1. Studied General Young's proposed plan for six years development of Washington. General Young appeared at a luncheon meeting. 2. Made study of District of Columbia revenues. 3. Studied tax program proposed by Commissioners. 4. Formulated tax policy for League based on theory that the income tax is most equitable and the sales, tax least desirable. 5. Worked out tax program which was both equitable and profitable. This tax program was sent to the fiscal affairs subcommittees of the DC committees in both Houses, and was the basis for testimony before those committees when they met in joint session. 6. Studied proposed budget. 7. Presented testimony to appropriation committee of House asking for more adequate budge for public services. 8. Endorsed Teacher's Pay Bill. Asked attendance officers salaries be included in single scale. 9. Supported deficiency appropriation for public assistance. 10. Recommended children's correctional institution remain with Board of Public Welfare instead of Department of Correction. 11. Endorsed principle of day care centers. In addition (application of principles of platform) Protection of minorities---co-operation with minority committee on intergroup education---city-wide discussion groups. Housing---co-operation with Citizens Council for Community Planning---recommendations of personnel to Land Agency---study of application of Wagner, Ellender, Taft Housing Bill to the District (newsletter supplement)--asked continuance of D.C. Rent Control Bill. National Representation---endorsement of Capper Bill We appeared on 6 radio programs, at 12 non-League and 7 neighborhood meetings. We supplied background information for meetings and articles. We interviewed members of Congress. COMMITTEE ON INFORMATION National Woman's Party Bulletin No. 1 AN OPEN LETTER TO MISS ALICE PAUL To Answer Attacks 2345 Ashmead Place Washington, D. C. May 17, 1947. Dear Miss Paul: Ever since the January, 1947, convention of the National Woman's party, you have been saying that some of those who took part in it were paid by "enemies of the Equal Rights Amendment" and that Mr. Charles A. Horsky of Covington, Burling, Rublee, Acheson and Shorb, the Party's distinguished chief counsel, was their agent. You have repeated these accusations in great detail to three Party officers within the month. These accusations are not true. You have not a shred of evidence to support them. You are repeating these untruths about earnest and faithful workers for women. This baseless calumny has been invested in a desperate attempt to maintain your personal power. CAN YOU DENY THAT, MISS PAUL? From September, 1946, when the matter of a national convention was raised before the National Council, you have persistently tried to injure the good names of many members of the Party. They have borne it with fortitude and in silence. Their patience is now at an end. To protect them from irreparable injury, your reckless misrepresentation and actionable slanders must be answered. This Committee has a reasonably full record of the events since September, 1946. In it are more than fifty instances of misrepresentation and other conduct on your part designed to injure the members of the party. These are the women who have been so generous to you throughout the years. As a measure of defense, the Committee proposes to take up these instances, one by one, as rapidly as time permits, and, if possible, one a week, from now on. In the September, 1946, Council meeting, a motion was made for a national convention. You prevented a vote during the morning session. During the luncheon recess, you induced one of our members secretly to long distance the Business and Professional Women in Indianapolis and ask if they would join with the National Woman's Party in a conference in that city in December. When the N.W.P. Council meeting reconvened, you induced this member to announce that the N.W.P. had been invited by the Business and Professional Women to participate in a big and important gathering that the B. and P.W. had arranged in Indianapolis. There was no such invitation. The N.W.P. had not been invited to anything. The B. and P.W. had not made the N.W.P. an offer; it was the exact contrary. You thought that you could use this non-existent invitation to stave off a national convention. You thought that you could make the members of the N.W.P. Council believe that, by having a Biennial Conference in Indianapolis in connection with a big and important meeting of women sponsored by the B. and P.W., they would be doing a great service to the equal rights amendment. You thought that, once they had voted for a Biennial Conference, you would be able to stave off a national convention. And for a time your scheme seemed to promise success, but in the end it failed. The invitation to Indianapolis was made up out of whole cloth. It was made up because a Biennial Conference has no power to act, while at a national convention there would be an election of officers. You made it up to escape having to face your own colleagues in a convention. Members of this Committee were given the truth about this matter when they went to Indianapolis in December. Why were so many of the scheduled events on your Indianapolis program not carried out? Why was there no lunch honoring you, no joint sessions with other bodies, no wreath-laying ceremony? Why did only a handful of our own Indianapolis N.W.P. members put in an appearance? Why did one of our Indianapolis leaders burst into tears? Why was Indianapolis perhaps the most woe-begone, pathetic meeting in the N.W.P.'s long history? You know the answer to these questions. The organized women of Indianapolis were offended. At the September N.W.P. Council meeting, you invented the Indianapolis invitation to injure the members of the Party. You did it in furtherance of your desperate attempt to hold your personal power. CAN YOU DENY THAT, MISS PAUL? In its next open letter, to be sent in about a week, the Committee will take up your conduct in connection with the October, 1946, Council meeting, and after these months of patient silence, defend the good faith and good names of those whom you attacked. Faithfully yours, (signed) Anna Kelton Wiley, Laura M. Berrien, Doris Stevens Co-Chairmen of the Committee [*[call-21-47]*] JUDGMENT FOR THE DEFENDANTS RENDERED BY JUSTICE JAMES M. PROCTOR NOVEMBER 21, 1947 IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF THE UNITED STATES FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA NATIONAL WOMAN'S PARTY A corporation, Plaintiff, vs. ANITA POLLITZER, et. al., Defendants. Civil Action No. 530-47 MEMO OPINION The resolution adopted by the council of the National Woman's Party (a corporation) September 28, 1946, providing for a convention to be held at Washington in January, 1947, was a reasonable and sufficient compliance with the constitutional requirement that the council determine the date and place for a national convention. The resolution in such form carried with it implied authority to the national chairman, as chief administrative officer, to select the exact time and place within the terms of the resolution. Although doubtless it was within the power of the council to fix the exact time and place, I do not think the provision should be so strictly construed as to require them to go that far. To do so might lead to the conclusion that a council meeting must not only choose an exact date and geographical spot, but also the very hour and building for the convention. These are incidental details which should fairly fall within the administrative duties of the chairman, if not delegated to others. Here it appears from the weight of evidence, that there was a general understanding and acquiescence in a proposal made at the meeting that the exact date be left to the officers. This, I think, lends support and authority to the action of the national chairman, after collaboration with the officers and attention to many details, in finally selecting January 25th and 26th at the Mayflower Hotel for the convention. Agreeably to this action a formal call printed in the official organ of the Party was mailed to the members October 28, 1946. The copy for this call was furnished by the chairman to the printer October 14, 1946. The steps thus taken for the convention obtain further support and authority by the National Council at their regular meeting in Indianapolis December 12, 1946. There they adopted a resolution proposed by the Executive Council - 2 - to postpone the convention from January 25th and 26th to April 12th and 13th. In so doing they tacitly recognized and approved the action which led to setting the convention for January 25th and 26th. Although it is argued that the circumstances precluded the council from ordering the postponement, it seems clear to me that the constitutional power to determine the date and place of a convention carried with it the power to change a time and place previously fixed. For these reasons I hold that the call for January 25th and 26th was valid. It follows that the efforts of the so-called Sebree group to hold a convention January 10th and 11th in Washington were invalid and all action taken by that gathering was void. Accordingly those persons now claiming the offices of the National Woman's Party by action of that meeting are without lawful right or title to support their claims. The attempted convention lacked the basic support of a valid call, not only because it was in direct conflict with the legally authorized convention called for January 25th, but because the attempted call emanating from the meeting of certain council members of October 27th was a nullity, due to the fact that the meeting itself was illegally convened. The request of ten members for a council meeting upon which the call for the October 27th meeting was made should have been addressed, or at least delivered, to the national chairman, and the call should have been made or directed by here. Yet it was delivered to the secretary, who assumed the authority to issue the call for a council meeting. All this was done without the knowledge or approval of the chairman. It gains nothing to argue that it would have been useless to beseech her action. It would have been her duty to act. Had she refused legal steps could have been taken to compel her to act. As head of the organization and in the absence of any express provision to the contrary she was the proper officer to make the call. The constitution itself in dealing with the subject, although not too clear, does I think indicate that calls for meetings of the council should be made by the chairman. Admittedly the chairman and council members of this organization are analogous to the president and directors of a business operation. As to those the general rule of law requires that under circumstances similar to the ones with which we are now dealing the request for a special meeting should be made to the president and he should issue the call. It is a sound rule, for such procedure would seem essential to assure responsible management of corporate affairs. Any other course would likely lead to conflict and confusion such as has unfortunately developed in the present case. The alleged meeting of the council of January 9th which attempted - 3 - to bolster the convention for the following day was called in the same way as the meeting of October 27th. For similar reasons that meeting was invalid. Also, if it had been legally called its actions were a nullity, for it lacked a quorum to transact business. In my opinion Mrs. Laughlin did not enjoy the status of a State Chairman; nor can "proxy" voting in behalf of three or four other members be supported by any provision of the constitution and by-laws, or any general rule of law. Although the proceedings at the convention of January 10th have been severely criticized in many ways, I shall omit dealing with them. The question as to whether the complaint is in equity or by way of quo warranto may be passed over. It is now of no importance in view of the conclusions which have been reached. Judgment will be entered for the defendants, upon findings of fact and conclusions of law consistent with this opinion. November 21, 1947 (Signed) James M. Proctor Justice NATIONAL WOMAN'S PARTY CONVENTION CALL June 12-13-14, 1953--Washington, D.C. April 20, 1953 The Officers and the Council of the National Woman's Party hereby give notice that the National Convention of the Organization will be held in Washington, D.C., Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 12, 13 and 14, 1953. All business sessions of the Convention will be held at our National Headquarters, Alva Belmont House. The Convention will present a varied program which should inspire each woman attending to greater efforts for the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment. In 1952, the Republican and Democratic Parties once again included planks in their Party Platforms recommending the submission to Congress of the Equal Rights Amendment. The Amendment was introduced in the Senate as Senate Joint Resolution No. 49 on February 25, 1953, by Senator John Marshall Butler, (R) of Maryland, Chief Sponsor. On January 3, 1953, it was introduced as HJR 74 in the House of Representatives by Representative Katharine St. George, (R) of New York, Chief Sponsor. At present, 23 Senate Co-sponsors and 122 House Co-sponsors and stand back of the Amendment. We feel that never before has the Amendment had a better chance for passage by Congress. The times present an added incentive; therefore, you, as a Member of the National Woman's Party, are asked to work for complete support from the Senators and Representatives from your State, and to meet with us in Washington, June 12, 13, 14, while Congress is still in session, to take whatever steps are necessary in the campaign for Equal Rights for Women. Your State, under the quota system, will be permitted _____ voting delegates. Tickets to that amount will be sent you, for which you, as State Chairman, will be responsible. A twenty-dollar ($20.00) registration fee per Delegate covers all events and meals at planned programs. Reservations must reach the Conventon Committee prior to June first. You are urgently requested to secure badly needed contributions for convention expenses at the earliest possible date. Please make checks payable to National Woman's Party and send to our National Treasurer, Mrs. Elizabeth Forbes, care of Headquarters. Signed - ETHEL ERHEST MURRELL National Chiarman Signed - MARY E. WILLIAMSON Convention Chairman For further information, the following Convention Committee Officers stand ready to help you CONVENTION COMMITTEE Mrs. Mary E. Williamson, Chairman Mrs. Joanna M. Barry, Co-chairman and Treasurer Mrs. Cecil Norton Broy, Vice-chairman Miss Ernestine H. Bellamy, Secretary CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE Mrs. Clara Snell Wolfe, Chairman REGISTRATION COMMITTEE Mrs. Helen Cann Janne, Chairman NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE Mrs. Cecil Norton Broy, Chairman Mrs. Emma Guffey Miller, Vice-chairman Miss Alma A. Westerman, Secretary ELECTIONS COMMITTEE Mrs. Ethyl B. McKinney, Chairman PROGRAM COMMITTEE Mrs. Pauline R. Wilcox, Chairman HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE Mrs. Fay Chaires Edgar, Chairman PUBLICITY COMMITTEE Miss Sara G. Shriner, Chairman Note: Please address all mail to National Headquarters April 20, 1953 Dear Members of the National Woman's Party: The Officers and National Council Members of the National Woman's party issue this Call to you to our Biennial Convention. The Convention will be held at Headquarters, Alva Belmont House, 144 Constitution Avenue, N.E., Capitol Hill, in Washington, D. C., June 12, 13, 14. Convention Registration is on June 12 at 9 A.M. to 5 P.M., at Alva Belmont House, and is limited to that day. The first business session will convene on Friday, June 12, at 10 A.M., with reports from National Officers and Chairmen of Committees. It will continue in the afternoon with reports from State Officers. Dinner will be served at 7 P.M. at the Dodge Hotel. The program following will be an Equal Rights Workshop. Saturday, June 13, begins with a business session at Alva Belmont House at 10 A.M., at which there will be nomination and election of new Officers. As 12:30 P.M., there will be a luncheon at the Dodge Hotel, followed by a ceremony at the status of our Equal Rights Pioneers in the Crypt of the United States Capitol. [*(2:30)*] Representatives of the Equal Rights Amendment endorsing groups will be invited to participate. The remainder of the afternoon is open for unfinished business. At 7[*30*] P.M., there is a banquet at the Willard Hotel. On Sunday, June 14, a [*(12:30)*] luncheon will be served at the Dodge Hotel with interesting speakers. At this tie, new Officers will be presented. The luncheon will be followed by induction of the new Officers in the garden of Alva Belmont House, with a reception in their honor. The Convention will close with a Council Meeting composed of the outgoing and incoming National Council Members. A $20.00 fee for delegates covers registration and meals for above functions. Mrs. Fay Chaires Edgar, as Chairman of the Hospitality Committee, will be assisted by Members of the District of Columbia, Virginia and Maryland branches. There will be limited accommodations for Officers at Alva Belmont House at moderate rates. The first to write will have the places. Rooms may be reserved at most Washington hotels, especially those on Capitol Hill, such as the Dodge, the Carroll Arms, and the Carlyle. Rates range from $7.00 to $10.00 single, and $9.00 to $14.00 double. Please make your reservations as soon as possible, as Washington is overcrowded this spring. For hotel accommodations, please contact hotels directly. We expect this to be the Victory Convention. On February 25, 1953, Senator John Marshall Butler, (R) of Maryland, introduced the Equal Rights Amendment in the Senate of the 83rd Congress, and it became S.J. Res. 49. As Chief Sponsor, he listed 22 co-sponsors. He says this measure should be MUST legislation. Representative Katharine St. George, (R) of New York, is our Chief Sponsor in the House. She introduced H.J. Res. 74 on January 3, 1953. She is very optimistic that a vote may be taken soon. On Sponsor Day, March 16, she read 122 co-sponsors into the Congressional Record. To pass the Amendment, we must have 64 votes in the Senate and 290 in the House. For up-to-date information about your State, please write us. Please be sure that your Senators and Members of the House of Representatives are either Co-sponsors or Supporters. We hope you will make every effort to attend this Convention. If you absolutely cannot attend, please send us as generous a gift as possible. We need you and your contribution. Cordially yours, Ethel Ernest Murrell National Chairman CALL TO BIENNIAL CONVENTION OF NATIONAL WOMAN'S PARTY The National Woman's Party calls upon its members to come and take part in its biennial Convention to be held in Wilmington, Delaware, November 4th and 5th, in the duPont Hotel. Women, you know that since the depression overtook us, and has been acknowledged, that attacks on woman's right to work has been made through nearly every legislative assembly in the United States. Especially have married women teachers and married women in government employ, been attacked. Even the President of the United States has urged, through personal intervention to the governors of thirteen states that minimum wages be passed for women. This is the first time in history that a President has urged unequal laws for women. At present under the National Industrial Recovery Act, trade codes are being drawn up that in their present form discriminate against women. We are opposed to the attack upon the status of women as adult human beings, which is made under the mask of humanitarianism. We are opposed to the attempt to thrust married women back to a position of economic dependence. We know that compulsory-dependence is not good for any adult human being. We want and need your presence to help us in making plans for the campaign for the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment. It is imperative that this Amendment be written into the National Constitution of our country in order that existing discriminations against women in the laws of our country will be removed and all future discriminations will be prevented. It lies in the power of women today, if they will but avail themselves of it, to protect their own status, as well as their economic liberty. WILL YOU BE ONE OF THOSE WOMEN ON WHOM WE MAY COUNT? We heartily urge you to attend. Florence Bayard Hilles, National Chairman Rebekah S. Greathouse, Secretary. All members of the Women's Party are invited to attend. Each State branch of the Women's Party is entitled to one voting delegate for every twenty-five members. Every such delegate should have credentials from her State Chairman. All Founders and Life Members are also entitled to vote. Convention Committee: Mrs. Florence Bayard Hilles, Del.; Miss Anita Pollitzer, S.C., Mrs. Sara B. Cummings, Pa. Hospitality Committee: Miss Frances Wilson, Donbigh Hall, Wilmington, Del. Notify Anita Pollitzer, Vice Chairman, National Woman's Party, 144 B Street, N.E., Washington, D. C., if you will attend. It is most important to know as soon as possible. It is advisable to make reservations in advance for the banquet and luncheons to Rebekah S. Greathouse, Secretary, National Woman's Party, 144 B Street, N. E., Washington, D.C. Tickets for banquet $1.50. Railroad Rates: Where possible it is advisable to use the Pennsylvania Railroad. Week end railway fares from Friday noon through Monday night, and round trip rates from points beyond Chicago available on all roads. 13517 DELEGATES AT CONFERENCE NAME TITLE ORGANIZATION Miss Edna P. Amidon U.S Office of Education Miss Mary Anderson Director, Women's Bureau Department of Labor Mrs. B.S. Arrington Idaho Civilian Defense Miss Louise Franklin Bache Executive Secretary National Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc. Miss Mary I. Barber Past President American Dietetic Association Dr. Emily D. Barringer President American Medical Women's Association Miss Mary Beard Director, Nursing Service American Red Cross Mrs. John W. Bennett President American Federation of Soroptimist Clubs Mrs. Henry S. Bernton District of Columbia Council of Defense [Miss Laura M. Berrien] Chairman of Defense Committee National Association of Women Lawyers Miss Katherine C. Blackburn Assistant Director Office of Government Reports Mrs. Paul Callanan [Mrs. Chester Bowice] Connecticut State Defense Council Mrs. Joseph H. Brewer President National Council of State Garden Clubs Mrs. J.L.B Buck Representing President General Federation of Women's Clubs Mrs. Harvey Bundy Massachusetts Committee on Public Safety Miss Nannie H. Burroughs Secretary Women's Auxiliary of the National Baptist Convention Miss S. Winifred Burwell Representing President Association of Bank Women Mrs. Margaret H. Caldwell Juvenile Superintendent The National Grange [Miss Elizabeth Christman] Secretary-Treasurer National Women's Trade Union League Miss Elizabeth W. Clark Executive Director National Association of Day Nurseries Mrs. William J. Clothier Pennsylvania State Council of Defense Mrs. Wm. A. Coleman Representing President United Daughters of the Confederacy 13517 -2- NAME TITLE ORGANIZATION Miss Hazel Corbin General Director Maternity Center Association Miss Helen Dallas Treasury Department Mrs. Dwight Davis Director of Volunteer Special Services American Red Cross Miss [Grace] Linda Donaldson Second Regional Office of Civilian Defense Mrs. Jean Doverspike Pennsylvania State Council of Defense Mrs. Martha Dreisbach Department of Agriculture Mrs. Anne Carson Dunaway State Defense Council of Florida Miss Susie A. Elliot Association of Deans of Women and Advisers to Girls in Negro Schools Miss Harriet Elliott Associate Administrator Office of Price Administration and Civilian Supply Mr. Charles F. Ernst American Red Cross Mrs. Grace Eustis American Red Cross Professor Lucy E. Fay Representing President American Library Association Dr. Dorothy B. Ferebee Consultant Miss Mabel G. Flanley Vice-President Advertising Federation of America Miss Molly Flynn Farm Security Administration Miss Grace Fox Representing President Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America Dr. Esther Cole Franklin Associate in Social Studies American Association of University Women Miss Zylpha Franklin Principal Information Officer Federal Security Agency Mrs. Frederick E. Frisbee Iowa Industrial and Defense Commission Miss Grace Frysinger Department of Agriculture Mrs. E. Richard Gasch President National League of American Pen Women 13517 -3- NAME TITLE ORGANIZATION Mrs. Maurice L. Goldman President National Council of Jewish Women Miss Kathryn D. Goodwin Federal Security Agency Miss Bess Goodykoontz Assistant Commissioner U.S. Office of Education Mrs. Joseph D. Grigsby Representing President National Panhellenic Congress Mrs. Sidonie M. Gruenberg Director Child Study Association of America Miss Louise Griffith Information Specialist Federal Security Agency Mrs. Lorena Hahn Nebraska Advisory Defense Comittee Mrs. Etha G. Hall President Pilot Club International Mrs. Livingston Hall Director, Women's Activities First Regional Office of Civilian Defense Miss Elizabeth G. Hankins Virginia Defense Council Miss Eva Hanel Federal Security Agency Miss Marjorie Hardy President Association for Childhood Education Mrs. William Hastings First Vice-President National Conference of Parents and Teachers Dr. O. Latham Hatcher President Alliance for Guidance of Rural Youth Miss Alma C. Haupt Nursing Consultant Federal Security Agency Mrs. Ida L. Heekin Ohio State Council of Defense Miss Dorothy Height Executive Secretary National Council of Negro Women, Inc. War Department Mississippi Civilian Defense Council Mrs. Odillion Hopgood National Secretary Regular Veterans' Woman's Association Mrs. Harriet A. Houdlette American Association of University Women Miss Ruth Houlton Associate Director National Organization for Public Health Nursing Mrs. Lewis M. Hull Chairman, Program Committee National Council of State Garden Clubs Mr. L. S. James Executive Secretary National Congress of Colored Parents and Teachers 13517 -4- NAME TITLE ORGANIZATION Mrs. Charles S. Johnson Vice President National Congress of Colored Parents and Teachers Miss Gwladys W. Jones General Secretary Quota Club International, Inc. Mrs. Julia Katz Secretary National Coordinating Committee for Women's Activiites Mrs. Florence Kerr Assistant Commissioner Work Projects Administration Mrs. Edith Kreutzinger New Jersey State Defense Council Dr. Grace Langdon President National Association for ursery Education Mrs. Ralph C. Lasbury, Jr. Connecticut State Defense Council Miss Katherine F. Lenroot Chief, Children's Bureau Department of Labor Mrs. Gerson B. Levi National Council of Jewish Women Mrs. Frank A. Linzell Representing President National Conference of Christians & Jews Mrs. Oswald Lord Director, Women's Activities Second Regional Office of Civilian Defense [Mrs. Marion B. Luitweiler] Representing Chairman National Council of Parent Education Dr. Minnie L. Waffett President National Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc. Mrs. W. D. Melton South Carolina Council for National Defense Mrs. Izetta Jewel Miller Special Assistant Work Projects Administration Mrs. Harold V. Milligan President National Council of Women of the United States, Inc. Mrs. Mark Murrill President American Legion Auxiliary Miss Bertha McCall General Director National Travelers Aid Association Miss Ruth McClelland Past President Women's Overseas Service League Mrs. Minne L. McEddy Women's Mite Missionary Society of the A. M. E. Church 13517 - 5- NAME TITLE ORGANIZATION Dr. Kathryn McHale General Director American Association of University Women Mrs. Alice T. McLean President American Women's Voluntary Services Mrs. Ruth Neuhaus Seventh Regional Office of Civilian Defense Mrs. Charles D. Newell President, National Auxiliary United Spanish War Veterans Mrs. Neta Pennock Newman President Association of Women in Public Health Miss Lelia Ogle Principal Home Economist Department of Agriculture Mrs. Lena L. Orlow Director, Women's Supreme Council B'Nai B'Rith Mrs. C.J. Otjen Wisconsin Council of Defense Mrs. Donald M. Payson Maine Civilian Defense Council Mrs. Walter M. Pierce Oregon State Defense Council Mrs. M.G. Pierpont Maryland Council of Defence Miss Irma Piepho National Council of Catholic Women Mrs. P.R. Rankin North Carolina State Council for National Defense Mrs. Carl Reed Iowa Industrial and Defense Commission Miss Lou Richardson Ninth Regional Office of Civilian Defense Mrs. Paul Scharf National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Mrs. Ray F. Schwartz Executive Director Young Women's Hebrew Association Mrs. Marion Seymour National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses Mrs. R.B. Shipley Chief, Passport Division Department of State Mrs. Leopold K. Simon Second Regional Office of Civilian Defense Miss Mary Sinclair Indiana State Defense Council -6- NAME TITLE ORGANIZATION Mrs. Gertrude R. Luce [Dr. WIlliam F. Snow] Chairman, Executive American Social Hygiene Association Committee Mrs. Patricia Solander Kansas State Council of Defense Miss Adele Stamp Representing President National Association of Deans of Women Mrs. Nathan Strauss National Council on Maternal and Child Health Miss Mary Taylor Editor "Consumers' Guide" Department of Agriculture Mrs. Mary Church Terrell Honorary President National Association of Colored Women Mrs. Treherne-Thomas Executive Secretary American Women's Voluntary Services, Inc. Mrs. Lenore D. Underwood President, Women's Supreme Council B'Nai B'Rith Miss Wilma Van Dusseldorp Third Regional Office of Civilian Defense Miss Edna Van Horn Executive Secretary American Home Economics Association [Mrs. Katherine Van Slyek] Executive Secretary Association of the Junior Leagues of America, Inc. Mrs. E. A. Van Valkenburg Pennsylvania State Council of Defense Miss Margery Vaughn Nutritionist Federal Security Agency Mrs. Gordon Wagonet National Council on Maternal and Child Health Mrs. Roy C. F. Weagly Vice President Associated Women of the American Farm Bureau Federation Mrs. Vashti B. Whittington President Women's Professional Panhellenic Ass'n Mrs. Elmira B. Wickenden Executive Secretary Nursing Council on National Defense Miss Mary N. Winslow Office of the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs Mrs. Ellen S. Woodward Member, Social Security Board Miss Laura A. Woodward President Special Libraries Association Mrs. W. H. Woolston New Mexico State Council of National Defense 13517 SPECIAL GUESTS AT CONFERENCE COUNTRY NAME AND ORGANIZATION Argentina Mrs. Ana Rosa S. de Martinez Guerrero Secretary General of Women's Committee "Accion Argentina" - President of La Junta de la Victoria "Victory Committee" - Ex-Presidente and founder of Union Argentina de Mujeres "Union of Argentine Women." Washington Address: Hotel Lafayette Bolivia Mrs. Carmen B. de Lozada Member of Atenco Femenino, oldest woman's organization in La Paz - formerly editor of "ECO" magazine of the Atenco. Washington Address: 18 Oxford Street, Chevy Chase, Maryland. Costa Rica Senora Angela Acuna de Chacon First Woman lawyer in Costa Rica - writer - President Pan American Round Table of Costa Rica - President Feminist League of Costa Rica "Liga Feminist" - President of Costa Rican League of Education. Washington Address: 635 East Capitol Street. Columbia Mrs. Maria Currea de Ava Assistant and teacher in "Centro de Accion Social Infantil" - Child Welfare Center - Bogota, Columbia - Registered nurse & leader in Red Cross. Honorary director, Sindicato de la Aguja. Member of 'Comision Ornato", Needleworkers Union, Park & Planning Commission. Washington Address: Hotel Mayflower. Chile Miss Graciela Mandujano Assistant Director of the Institute for Rural Education - Chief of the Division of Home Industries of the Board of Agricultural Exports (both under Department of Agriculture of Chile) Washington Address: Hotel Lafayette. Dominican Republic Miss Minerva Bernardio Feminist leader in Dominican Republic. Former Inspector of vocational schools in D.R. Founder of "Comite de Cooperacion Inter Americana" (Committee of Inter American Cooperation). First woman to speak before the Congress of D.R. Washington Address: 2013 Hew Hampshire Avenue. Ecuador Mrs. Maria Piedad Castillo de Levi Writer and newspaper woman. Owner of newspaper and largest broadcasting station in Ecuador. Washington Address: Hotel Mayflower. El Salvador Mrs. Elena de Castro Wife of the Minister from El Salvador to the United States. Washington Address: 3232 Ellicott Street, N.W. -8- 13517 COUNTRY NAME AND ORGANIZATION Honduras Senora Mariana de Caceres Wife of the Minster from Honduras to the United States. Washington Address: 2611 Woodley Place Mexico Mrs. Amelia Caballero de Castillo Ledon Member of City Council of Mexico - Assistant Director of Department of Civil Action (Accion Civica) - President of Aterreo Mexicana de Escritoras (Association of Women Writers) - Only woman member of the Committee of Intellectual Cooperation. Washington Address: 2103 New Hampshire Avenue, c/o Miss Minerva Bernardino. Panama Mrs. Esther Neira do Calvo Director "Licao de Senoritas" - Girls Junior College) in Panama - Member of "Consejo Tecnico d[e] Ensinanja" (Technical Council on Education) Founder of National Red Cross - President and founder of Woman's Suffrage Association. Washington Address: Hotel Lafayette. United States Miss Mary N. Winslow Member of the National Executive Board of the National Women's Trade Union League of America - Member of the Board of Directors of the District of the District of Columbia League of Women Voters - Advisor for Civic Projects in the Office of the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs of the Office for Emergency Management. Washington Address: 3051 Que Street N.W. FP-25 NAME TITLE ORGANIZATION Mrs. Rose [Altschuhl] Consultant Mrs. Vera Bogge Chairman National Committee on the Cause and Cure of War Miss Margaret Benson Office of Price Administration and Civilian Supply Miss Miriam Birdseye Department of Agriculture Mrs. Bernice V. Bromley Vermont Council of Safety Dr. Muriel Brown Consultant. U.S. Office of Execution Federal Security Agency Dr. Esther Brunaner Consultant Miss Eleanor Cavauaugh Consultant Miss Christine Church Representing President National Federation of Music Clubs Miss Linda May Davis Office of Price Administration and Civilian Supply Miss Mildred Edie Office of Price Administration and Civilian Supply Mrs. May Thompson Evans Office of Price Administration and Civilian Supply Miss Josephine Hemphill Department of Agriculture Mrs. Gertrude B. Luce American Social Hygiene Association Mrs. Edward W. Macy Representing President National Board Y. W. G. A. NAME TITLE ORGANIZATION Miss Charlotte K. May National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses Miss Mabel F. Meek Secretary-Treasurer Altrusa Clubs, Inc. Mrs. L. Robert Mellin Chicago Metropolitan Area Mrs. T. H. B. McKnight Garden Clubs of America Miss Margaret Payson Second Vice-President Child Welfare League of America, Inc. Miss Lucille W. Reynolds Chief, Family Credit Section Department of Agriculture Miss Edith Rockwood Children's Bureau Department of Labor Mr. Charles I Schottland Children's Bureau Department of Labor Miss Ruth Sheldon Representing President Zonta International Miss Anne Sprague Michigan Council of Defense Mrs. Sina H. Stanton Council of Women for Home Missions [Miss Mary E. Swit??r] [Assistant to Administrator] [Federal Security Agency] Miss Ruth Taylor Children's Bureau Department of Labor Mrs. Raphael Turover Hadassah Mrs. Frederic W. Upham Illinois State Council of Defense Mrs. Robert Walbridge United Service Organizations Mrs. Helen WIlkins National Board of the [?] W. C. A. Miss Charl O. Williams National Education Ass'n of the U. S. Mrs. James B. Williams Representing President National Recreation Association Transcribed and reviewed by contributors participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.