Vanderbilt Television News Archive

(Studio) Failure of ERA to be ratified reported; NOW rally across from White House mentioned, shown. NOW president Eleanor Smeal said vowing poll battle with legislators responsible for amendment's defeat.
REPORTER: Roger Mudd

(DC) Rise and fall of ERA examined in detail; films shown. [Moral Majority spokesperson Jerry FALWELL - claims "girls" could be forced into combat.] Feminist Alice Paul recalled writing ERA in 1923; photograph shown. [Illinois state rep. Susan CATANIA - reads amendment.] [Stop ERA spokesperson Phyllis SCHLAFLY - thinks ERA is direct attack on family structure; claims public didn't want ERA.] 1977 National Women's Conf. in Houston, Texas, recalled; linkage of ERA to radical pols. said damaging support for amendment. [October 10, 1978, Jimmy CARTER - pushes for ERA.] [CARTER - notes difficulty in fight.] [SMEAL - notes issues under discussion.] President Reagan mentioned opposing ERA. [SMEAL - rallies supporters to vote opponents of amendment out of office] Final outcome of movement described. [Illinois Governor Jim THOMPSON - explains defeat in his state.] Failure of Florida senate to adopt ERA noted.
REPORTER: Ken Bode