Campaign Committee Against the Equal Rights Amendment

Founded: April 1938

Chaired by: Dorothy Straus

Purpose: the Campaign Committee Against the Equal Rights Amendment worked against Senate approval of the Equal Rights Amendment, and also against approval of an equal rights treaty at the Pan-American Conference, Lima, Peru. Most opposed the Equal Rights Amendment on the grounds that it would nullify protective labor legislation for women, rather than extend such protection to men.

Members: Hundreds of women activists were supporters of the campaign committee including: Grace Abbott, Elizabeth Brandeis, Sophonisba Breckinridge, Carrie Chapman Catt, Pauline Newman, Caroline O'Day, Maud Wood Park, Rose Schneiderman, Anna Lord Straus, Lillian Wald.

Disbanded: the Campaign Committee Against the Equal Rights Amendment failed in February, 1939, for lack of funds.

Research information: Papers of the Campaign Committee Against the Equal Rights Amendment are with the papers of the Women's Trade Union League, New York State Department of Labor Library.