JILL CHAMBERS HAS MORE TO SAY

Further information from Jill Chambers:


I was really active In National Organization for Women (more than WPC, etc.- tho I belonged to most of the groups) and did NOW PR around the State throughout the 1976 push to elect the right legislators to pass ERA on January 18, 1977. Our women targeted races beginning in 1975, raised money and sent people into the districts to elect pro ERA people. On election night in 1976 we knew we had knocked Republican Senate Pro Tem Chip Edwards off his perch and replaced him with Demo Senate Pro Tem Robert Fair. That was the last time a Democrat held that position (1976-80). Unlike Florida and other states that thought they had elected ERA supporters, we did not leave them alone. Once elected we rode herd on them with volunteer lobbyists collaborating with everyone who supported ERA. One guy we helped elect voted against us on a procedural vote- a truck full of angry mail was delivered to his door. He voted with us thereafter.

Noting the death of a beloved, witty woman of the '70's, Liz Carpenter, Jill added:

Liz Carpenter, Author, Lady Bird Johnson’s Press Secretary passed away at 89 on March 20-
Here is a great quote from her regarding ERA:

"I personally am going to go to that Great Precinct Meeting in the Sky kicking and screaming if I'm not in the Constitution of the country that I worked for, paid taxes to, tried to be a total thinking citizen in," she wrote.