Thanks to Irene Strohbeen for this letter written for the League of Women Voters Appleton/Fox Cities newsletter:
Mid-Day Women’s Alliance (MDWA) and other partner organizations of the Women’s Action Coalition (WAC) held a press conference on Monday February 5 to announce the bill introduction for the Wisconsin state Equal Rights Amendment to our state constitution.
Representative Lori Palmeri from Oshkosh’s 54 th Assembly district is the lead bill author; she introduced the proposed amendment which is much broader than the original ERA, ensuring equal rights for all under the law because “after more than 50 years, it’s embarrassing that ANY Wisconsinite has fewer rights than another.”
Appleton’s Representative Lee Snodgrass, co-author, added her support.
One of Appleton’s first feminists, Mary Ann Rossi, shared the history of the WI ERA and the local feminist movement with the crowd of over 50 people, followed by statements from WAC partner organizations.
In particular, Linda Bjella spoke on the history of the League of Women Voters, and Alice Paul’s role in women’s suffrage and the ERA.
We also heard from the generation that will inherit our past and current decisions: Megan Eisenstein, government major from Lawrence University spoke on the rights she lost with the Dobbs decision because she came to college in Wisconsin vs staying in Illinois, and how she dreams of the day when equal rights will be restored to millions of people in the state.
Press coverage of the event was fabulous and was picked up across the state. Here are a few news videos and posts from the event:
Madison: https://www.wiproud.com/news/local-news/equal-rights-amendment-bill-re-introduced-in-madison/
Eau Claire: https://www.weau.com/2024/02/06/local-lawmakers-introduce-equal-rights-amendment/
Green Bay: https://www.wbay.com/2024/02/05/local-lawmakers-introduce-equal-rights-amendment/
Green Bay: https://fox11online.com/news/local/gallery/northeast-wisconsin-lawmaker-introduces-equal-rights-amendment-to-state-constitution-representative-lori-palmeri-lee-snodgrass-appleton-oshkosh-lgbtq-race-sex-religion?photo=1
Green Bay radio: https://wncy.com/2024/02/05/northeast-wisconsin-lawmaker-introduces-equal-rights-amendment-to-state-constitution/
