How Was Phyllis Schlafly Connected to the Women’s Rights Movement?

Phyllis Schlafly was a conservative activist who opposed the feminist movement. She was a leading figure in the campaign to defeat the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), which would have guaranteed equal rights for women under the law. Schlafly argued that the ERA would harm families and women’s rights.

Schlafly was born in 1924 in St. Louis, Missouri. She graduated from Washington University in St. Louis and then worked as a lawyer. In the 1950s, she became involved in Republican politics. In 1964, she published a book called A Choice Not an Echo, which argued against the ERA.

Schlafly’s book was a bestseller, and she became a leading voice in the opposition to the ERA. She organized a grassroots campaign to defeat the amendment, and she lobbied Congress against it. In 1982, the ERA failed to be ratified by the required number of states.

Schlafly continued to be active in conservative politics until her death in 2016. She was a strong supporter of Ronald Reagan and other conservative politicians. She also founded the Eagle Forum, a conservative women’s organization.

Schlafly’s Impact on the Women’s Rights Movement

Schlafly’s opposition to the ERA had a significant impact on the women’s rights movement. The ERA would have guaranteed equal rights for women under the law, but Schlafly’s campaign helped to defeat it. This setback for the women’s rights movement set back the cause of gender equality for many years.

Schlafly’s opposition to the ERA was based on her belief that it would harm families and women’s rights. She argued that the ERA would allow women to be drafted into the military, that it would make it easier for women to get abortions, and that it would undermine the traditional family structure.

Schlafly’s arguments were not supported by the facts. The ERA would not have allowed women to be drafted into the military, it would not have made it easier for women to get abortions, and it would not have undermined the traditional family structure. However, Schlafly’s arguments were effective in convincing many people to vote against the ERA.

Schlafly’s opposition to the ERA is a reminder of the challenges that the women’s rights movement has faced. Despite the progress that has been made, there are still many people who oppose gender equality. Schlafly’s legacy is a reminder that the fight for women’s rights is not over.

Schlafly’s Beliefs and Values

Schlafly was a conservative who believed in the traditional roles of women and men. She believed that women should be primarily responsible for raising children and taking care of the home, while men should be primarily responsible for earning a living and providing for their families.

Schlafly’s beliefs were shaped by her upbringing in a traditional Catholic family. She was taught that women were inferior to men and that they should be subservient to their husbands. Schlafly’s beliefs were also influenced by her experiences as a lawyer. She saw firsthand the discrimination that women faced in the workplace and in the legal system.

Schlafly’s beliefs led her to oppose the feminist movement. She believed that feminism was a threat to the traditional family and to women’s rights. She argued that feminism would lead to the breakdown of the family, the increase of crime, and the decline of morality.

Schlafly’s Legacy

Schlafly was a controversial figure, but she was also a powerful advocate for conservative values. She helped to defeat the ERA and she played a major role in shaping the conservative movement. Schlafly’s legacy is still debated today, but there is no doubt that she was a significant figure in American history.

Conclusion

Phyllis Schlafly was a conservative activist who opposed the feminist movement. She was a leading figure in the campaign to defeat the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), which would have guaranteed equal rights for women under the law. Schlafly’s opposition to the ERA had a significant impact on the women’s rights movement, and her legacy is still debated today.

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