A 100 years ago, in 1923, the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) was introduced in Congress, stating that “men and women shall have equal rights throughout the U.S.” Stemming from the successful suffrage campaign and the passing of the 19th Amendment, activists sought to bring gender equality to all realms of life, making women full citizens.

The Amendment passed both houses of Congress on a bipartisan vote in 1972. Gaining support both from legislators and diverse grassroots activists, the ERA was one of the main achievements of the Women’s Movement. However, backlash and resistance from conservative forces has prevented it from being certified into the constitution. 

This exhibition, composed of 3 sections, explores the historic and ongoing struggle to pass and ratify the ERA, looking at how it shaped the notion of “women’s rights” that has been at the heart of feminist politics over the last century. In Pursuit of Equity shows the multifaceted aspects and voices that participated and continue to participate in the fight for equality, even those who were marginalized at the time. In doing so, it connects past debates over the ERA with current fights over reproductive rights and LGBTQ equality that are at the center of our political discourse.