Memphis Women Discuss Women's Equality Day

Title

Memphis Women Discuss Women's Equality Day

Subject

Activism

Description

This Article begins with a brief history on the 19th Amendment and the expected results once it was passed. On the anniversary of that day groups have called it Women’s Equality Day and gathered to discuss issues of concern to women. The article then goes on to explain the Equal Rights Amendment that was in the process of becoming the 27th Amendment to the constitution. It then concentrates on specific women and their views on the ERA and women’s suffrage. Mrs. Byrne, a volunteer, commented on her aspirations for the future with the passing of the ERA. Mary Maduska, president of the Memphis Chapter of the League of Women Voters, said that she felt the right to vote was the same as the “right to human dignity”, but she was bothered by the ties between the ERA and abortion. Maxine Smith, executive director of the Memphis branch of the NAACP, she was not completely convince that the ERA would be passed but believed that women were becoming more equal and it would only be a matter of time. Phyllis Dougherty, president of the Memphis chapter of the National Organization for Women, she believed that the ERA would be felt across the country and that she wanted to see the role of mother come to a more respectable position. Kate Gooch, president of the Junior League of Memphis, she was not optimist in the ERA being passed but believed it was gaining ground and that women should begin to use their full potential.

Creator

Davis, Anna Byrd; Brown, Elizabeth

Source

Mississippi Valley Collection

Publisher

The University of Memphis Libraries

Date

August 26, 1977

Contributor

Memphis Press-Scimitar

Rights

Digital image ©2015 ,University of Memphis Libraries Preservation and Special Collections Department . All rights reserved

Relation

Hist4851, Spring 2015

Files

ps60044_1977womensequality.jpg

Citation

Davis, Anna Byrd; Brown, Elizabeth, “Memphis Women Discuss Women's Equality Day,” Making an Impact: The Lives of Tennessee Women, accessed March 29, 2024, https://umhist4851.omeka.net/items/show/70.