Which Statement Best Describes The Main Idea Of For The Equal Rights Amendment By Representative Shirley Chisholm?A. Women Are Not Appreciated For Their Contributions To Society.B. No Law Can Erase The Prejudice That Exists In People's Minds.C. The

Feb 26, 2025 by ADMIN 251 views

The Equal Rights Amendment: A Call to Action for Representative Shirley Chisholm

The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) is a constitutional amendment that aims to guarantee equal rights for women under the law. In 1970, Representative Shirley Chisholm, a pioneering African American woman in Congress, introduced a resolution in support of the ERA. Her speech, "For the Equal Rights Amendment," highlights the importance of this amendment and its potential to bring about significant changes in the lives of women. In this article, we will analyze the main idea of Representative Chisholm's speech and evaluate the three given statements to determine which one best describes the main idea.

Representative Chisholm's speech, "For the Equal Rights Amendment," is a powerful call to action for the passage of the ERA. She argues that the amendment is necessary to ensure that women have equal rights and opportunities under the law. Chisholm emphasizes that the ERA is not just a matter of women's rights, but also a matter of human rights. She believes that the amendment will help to eliminate the prejudices and biases that exist in society and will promote equality and justice for all.

Statement A: Women are not appreciated for their contributions to society

While Representative Chisholm's speech does touch on the issue of women's contributions to society, it is not the main idea of her speech. Chisholm does acknowledge that women have made significant contributions to society, but she argues that they have not been recognized or valued equally. She believes that the ERA will help to change this situation and ensure that women's contributions are recognized and valued.

Statement B: No law can erase the prejudice that exists in people's minds

This statement is closer to the main idea of Representative Chisholm's speech. Chisholm argues that laws can help to change people's attitudes and behaviors, and that the ERA is a necessary step towards achieving equality and justice for women. She believes that the amendment will help to eliminate the prejudices and biases that exist in society and will promote equality and justice for all.

Statement C: The ERA is a necessary step towards achieving equality and justice for women

This statement is the most accurate description of the main idea of Representative Chisholm's speech. Chisholm argues that the ERA is a necessary step towards achieving equality and justice for women. She believes that the amendment will help to eliminate the prejudices and biases that exist in society and will promote equality and justice for all.

In conclusion, the main idea of Representative Shirley Chisholm's speech, "For the Equal Rights Amendment," is that the ERA is a necessary step towards achieving equality and justice for women. Chisholm argues that the amendment will help to eliminate the prejudices and biases that exist in society and will promote equality and justice for all. While the other two statements touch on related issues, they do not accurately capture the main idea of Chisholm's speech.

The ERA is a constitutional amendment that aims to guarantee equal rights for women under the law. The amendment was first introduced in 1923, but it did not gain much traction until the 1960s and 1970s, when the women's liberation movement gained momentum. Representative Chisholm's speech, "For the Equal Rights Amendment," was a key moment in the passage of the ERA, and it helped to raise awareness about the importance of this amendment.

The ERA has several benefits, including:

Equal pay for equal work: The ERA would ensure that women are paid equally for equal work, which would help to eliminate the wage gap between men and women.
Protection from discrimination: The ERA would protect women from discrimination in employment, education, and other areas of life.
Increased representation: The ERA would help to increase the representation of women in government and other areas of public life.
Improved health and well-being: The ERA would help to improve the health and well-being of women by ensuring that they have access to equal healthcare and other resources.

Despite its benefits, the ERA has faced several challenges, including:

Opposition from conservative groups: The ERA has faced opposition from conservative groups, which have argued that it would lead to the erosion of traditional values and the promotion of feminism.
Lack of support from some politicians: The ERA has faced a lack of support from some politicians, who have argued that it is not a priority or that it is too radical.
Difficulty in passing the amendment: The ERA has faced difficulty in passing the amendment, which requires a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate and ratification by three-fourths of the states.

In conclusion, the ERA is a constitutional amendment that aims to guarantee equal rights for women under the law. Representative Chisholm's speech, "For the Equal Rights Amendment," was a key moment in the passage of the ERA, and it helped to raise awareness about the importance of this amendment. While the ERA has faced several challenges, it has several benefits, including equal pay for equal work, protection from discrimination, increased representation, and improved health and well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Equal Rights Amendment

Q: What is the Equal Rights Amendment?

A: The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) is a constitutional amendment that aims to guarantee equal rights for women under the law. It was first introduced in 1923, but it did not gain much traction until the 1960s and 1970s, when the women's liberation movement gained momentum.

Q: What are the main goals of the ERA?

A: The main goals of the ERA are to:

Ensure equal pay for equal work: The ERA would ensure that women are paid equally for equal work, which would help to eliminate the wage gap between men and women.
Protect women from discrimination: The ERA would protect women from discrimination in employment, education, and other areas of life.
Increase representation: The ERA would help to increase the representation of women in government and other areas of public life.
Improve health and well-being: The ERA would help to improve the health and well-being of women by ensuring that they have access to equal healthcare and other resources.

Q: What are the benefits of the ERA?

A: The benefits of the ERA include:

Economic benefits: The ERA would help to eliminate the wage gap between men and women, which would lead to increased economic opportunities and stability for women.
Social benefits: The ERA would help to promote equality and justice for women, which would lead to a more just and equitable society.
Health benefits: The ERA would help to improve the health and well-being of women by ensuring that they have access to equal healthcare and other resources.
Increased representation: The ERA would help to increase the representation of women in government and other areas of public life.

Q: What are the challenges of the ERA?

A: The challenges of the ERA include:

Opposition from conservative groups: The ERA has faced opposition from conservative groups, which have argued that it would lead to the erosion of traditional values and the promotion of feminism.
Lack of support from some politicians: The ERA has faced a lack of support from some politicians, who have argued that it is not a priority or that it is too radical.
Difficulty in passing the amendment: The ERA has faced difficulty in passing the amendment, which requires a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate and ratification by three-fourths of the states.

Q: What is the current status of the ERA?

A: The ERA is currently pending in Congress, where it has been introduced in various forms over the years. While it has gained significant support, it has not yet been passed into law.

Q: How can I get involved in the ERA movement?

A: There are several ways to get involved in the ERA movement, including:

Contacting your representatives: You can contact your representatives in Congress to express your support for the ERA.
Joining a local ERA group: You can join a local ERA group to get involved in the movement and to help raise awareness about the ERA.
Volunteering: You can volunteer with organizations that support the ERA to help raise awareness and to advocate for the amendment.
Donating: You can donate to organizations that support the ERA to help fund their efforts to pass the amendment.

Q: What can I do to help pass the ERA?

A: There are several things you can do to help pass the ERA, including:

Contacting your representatives: You can contact your representatives in Congress to express your support for the ERA.
Raising awareness: You can raise awareness about the ERA by talking to your friends and family, and by sharing information about the amendment on social media.
Volunteering: You can volunteer with organizations that support the ERA to help raise awareness and to advocate for the amendment.
Donating: You can donate to organizations that support the ERA to help fund their efforts to pass the amendment.