What is the complete text of the Equal Rights Amendment? The proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution passed both houses of Congress and was sent to the states for ratification in 1972. Throughout the 1970s, feminist activists and many public figures worked to pass the ERA. Some groups fought against the ERA, leading to confusion among the public about what the amendment actually says.
This is the text of the Equal Rights Amendment, ratified by 35 states:
Section 1. Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.
Section 2. The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.
Section 3. This amendment shall take effect two years after the date of ratification.