Former Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney: Driving for the ERA

Former Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney: Driving for the ERA

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Show Notes:

Dr. Nancy welcomes The Honorable Carolyn B. Maloney, former U.S. Congresswoman, to share her inspiring journey of public service, focusing on her unwavering commitment to gender equality and the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). She discusses her upcoming “Driving the Vote for Women’s Equality” campaign, modeled after historic suffragist efforts, to raise awareness and mobilize support for the ERA. Rep. Maloney highlights the critical need to enshrine women’s rights in the Constitution to protect against rollbacks on equality and justice. Through her passionate advocacy, she calls on listeners to take action, emphasizing that civic engagement is essential to securing equal opportunities for all. The time to act is now. Notify your representative of your support for the ERA by signing at https://www.sign4era.org/.

About The Honorable Carolyn B. Maloney:

The Honorable Carolyn B. Maloney served for over three decades as a member of New York’s Congressional Delegation in the United States House of Representatives (1993-2023). During that time, she rose to become a nationally recognized leader in many fields, including financial services, economics, and women’s rights. Congresswoman Maloney was the first woman to Chair the powerful House Committee on Oversight and Reform and previously was the first woman to chair the Joint Economic Committee. She authored and passed more than 81 measures, either as stand-alone bills or as measures incorporated into larger legislative packages, 14 of which were signed into law at formal Presidential Signing Ceremonies that are generally reserved for the most significant bills. Her many achievements include landmark legislation such as the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, the Postal Service Reform Act, and the Credit CARD Act.

After Virginia became the 38th state to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) in 2020, Congresswoman Maloney and Congresswoman Jackie Speier introduced a resolution to recognize that the ERA had met all legal requirements to be considered the 28th amendment to the Constitution. In March 2022, Congresswoman Maloney sent a letter to U.S. Archivist David Ferriero urging him to fulfill his statutory duty and publish the ERA. She continues this critical work in her roles with the ERA Coalition and as President of the New York State Chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW).

Congresswoman Maloney is helping to tutor the next generation of leaders in women’s rights as the Eleanor Roosevelt Distinguished Chair in Residence at the Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute at Hunter College. She focuses heavily on the practical elements of legislative governance, protecting women’s rights, and the advancement of the Equal Rights Amendment into the United States Constitution.

Timestamp:

[00:03:27] Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney’s Early Journey
Congresswoman Maloney shares her beginnings in the conservative South, her career as a 22-year-old teacher in Harlem, and her first steps into public service through lobbying when funds for their program were cut.

[00:05:47] Discovering the Power of Government
Rep. Maloney reflects on her transition from teaching to government, highlighting her success in saving educational programs and her realization of the impact government can have on changing people’s lives.

[00:07:18] Breaking Barriers in Politics
A look at Rep. Maloney’s groundbreaking political career, from her election to the City Council to defeating a 15-year incumbent to join Congress, and her many firsts as a woman in leadership roles.

[00:10:03] Mobilizing Support with “Driving for the Vote for Women’s Equality”
An introduction to Rep. Maloney’s new campaign, inspired by the suffragists’ cross-country drive, to raise awareness and build support for the ERA through a similar drive throughout the month of March.

[00:12:22] Engaging Communities and Leaders
Details on the campaign’s plans to meet with mayors, students, and communities across the country, emphasizing the importance of civic engagement and grassroots support.

[00:15:02] ERA Petition Started on No Kings Day

Rep. Maloney urged listeners to sign the petition at sign4era.org to ask their elected representative to sponsor the ERA. It’s a tool to build momentum, organized by district and the number of representatives in each.

[00:16:30] Protecting Rights for All Americans
Discussion about  the broader implications of the ERA, not just for women, but that it includes protections for all Americans by enshrining rights of equality in the Constitution.

[00:18:11] Vulnerability of Women’s Rights

Highlights of Rep. Maloney’s work in Congress fighting to keep women’s rights—right to choose, Title VII right to play sports. With a Constitutional Amendment, your rights are secure and not dependent on who is in office. Join the fight at https://era-now.org/

[00:19:57] Itinerary and Hopes for the Petition Drive

Rep. Maloney outlines events starting on March 1, with a reception at the Roosevelt House in NYC and a presentation by the students who started the petition. It now has 157,000 signatures, and they hope to have another 300,00 by the midterms.

[00:22:10] Raising Awareness for the Need to Protect Your Rights

Discussion about how rallies are raising awareness and coming together to create hope for change.

[00:24:41] Building Excitement through Newspapers and Magazines

Rep. Maloney shows the current issue of Ms Magazine, which published an article “Driving for Equality.”

[00:26:50] Passing the Baton to Daughter
Discussion of Rep. Maloney’s daughter, Virginia’s new election to Congress, following in her mother’s footsteps

[00:29:15] Rep. Maloney’s book, Rumors of Our Progress Are Greatly Exaggerated

Rep. Maloney’s book tells of the struggle of women for equality, and she notes that the United States is the only western democracy that doesn’t have gender equality in its constitution.

[00:31:32] A Call to Action—Let’s Do It
A passionate appeal to listeners to support the ERA, sign petitions, and engage with their representatives to ensure equal rights for all.