Amy: Welcome to Breaking Down Patriarchy! I’m Amy McPhie Allebest. I remember one day when I was about 25 years old, I was talking with a friend and she mentioned the Equal Rights Amendment, and I said something like, “Yeah, of course. So important, right?” And I think from my response my friend could tell I had only vaguely heard of it, so she said “You know it didn’t pass, right? The Equal Rights Amendment was up for ratification in the 1970’s and it didn’t pass.” And to my horror, she then told me that the ERA hadn’t passed because of the leadership of a group of Christian women, and that our own church had been instrumental in its defeat. I felt so betrayed, I literally remember where I was sitting and what I was wearing because I couldn’t make sense of it.   It’s embarrassing for me to admit that at the age of 25 I didn’t know the Equal Rights Amendment wasn’t already a part of the Constitution… but apparently I’m not alone - many, many Americans to this day have heard of the Equal Rights Amendment, but they think that like the 19th Amendment, it was up for ratification and there was a big battle to pass it… and eventually it passed. They don’t know that many states still won’t ratify it, and that they may live in a state or belong to a church that opposes it. So this is an incredibly important “essential text” that we’re covering today. It’s really short, but it has a long history that is still unfolding as we speak, and I’m really grateful to have two experts here to clear up misinformation and help us understand this critical piece of legislation! My reading partners today are Emily Bell McCormick and Kelly Whited Jones, co-chairs of Utah ERA Coalition .  They represent a coalition of individuals, as well as local and national groups that have been working on the Equal Rights Amendment for decades.  Their mission is to educate, elevate the role of women, and ratify in Utah.  So I’m thrilled to welcome you today, Emily and Kelly - Thank you so much for being here!! (Hello, etc.) :)

To start out, could each of you tell us a bit about yourselves? (in whichever order you like)

Emily: Bio Born and raised in a suburb of Salt Lake City, Utah Family: mother, father, one sister, two brothers Mother artistic and creative--parents met in Paris. Father kind and gentle--from a cowboy family in Wyoming.  Mother had a brain tumor when I was 10 and became bedridden and chronically ill. Passed when I was 19.  Memory of reading a book about Joan of Arc with my mom. We laugh about her family being the original feminists. BYU--Communication--thought of political science but didn’t think there was a natural career choice Married The Ohio State University Worked in PR and marketing until started apparel company Shabby Apple Moved to Richmond, VA and then to Arlington--suburb of DC Had three children Sold Shabby Worked in comms consulting Moved to Utah, adopted two kids Experience at Apartheid Museum and meeting with Diana for brunch--The Policy Project

Kelly: Bio

Born in Orem, Utah.  Youngest of eight, sister is the oldest, six brothers, then me. Grew up without television, on a small farm. Asked a lot of awkward questions in Young Women’s class - was a regular on the Father & Sons Campout, and begged my parents to let me wear pants to Primary.  They let me once. From polygamist pioneer stock -- Edwin Dilworth Woolley’s second wife. President Spencer W. Kimball is my grandfather’s cousin, he attended our Woolley family reunions. Both parents were educators, mom elementary school and dad at BYU. Attended the U of U on a Theatre Scholarship Graduated with a B.A. in Speech Communication, Masters in Environment & Health Worked for the U’s Central Development Office in fundraising.  Corporate & Foundation Giving and Planned Giving.  Started in publications and PR. Three great kids, Donovan, Reilly & Gabrielle. My husband’s...