Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)

The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) is a proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution aimed at ensuring equal legal rights for all American citizens, regardless of sex. Introduced in 1923 and passed by Congress in 1972, it states that "equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged on account of sex." While it sought to eliminate legal distinctions between men and women, the ERA has not yet been ratified by the required number of states, sparking ongoing debates about gender equality and women's rights in America.