Phyllis Schlafly 1924–

Name ______Class ______Date ______A Time of Social Change Biography Phyllis Schlafly 1924–

WHY SHE MADE HISTORY Phyllis Schlafly was an outspoken leader in the conservative movement. She led a successful effort to defeat the Equal Rights Amendment.

As you read the biography below, note Phyllis Schlafly’s accomplishments and political beliefs. What made her successful?

Almost 50 years after the Equal Rights Amendment Images Getty was first introduced, Congress passed it in 1972 and sent it to the states for ratification. Betty Friedan and the National Organization for Women supported the ERA. Many women, including Phyllis Schlafly, did not. Phyllis Schlafly was born into a large, working class family in 1924. She put herself through college and graduated from Washington University in St. Louis at the age of 19. She earned a master’s degree from Harvard and a law degree from Washington University. Schlafly first gained the attention of Republicans during the 1964 presidential campaign. The election pitted Democrat Lyndon Johnson against Republican Barry Goldwater. Schlafly’s first book, A Choice Not an Echo, argued that the Republican Party should return to traditional conservative values, such as those Goldwater promoted. She believed that wealthy East Coast Republicans had compromised their conservative values in order to get elected. She urged readers to vote for western Republicans like Goldwater. Goldwater lost the election, but Schlafly won a place of influence in the conservative movement. With the revival of interest in the Equal Rights Amendment in the 1960s, Schlafly gained national attention. She argued that the amendment could take away the legal protection women already had without conferring any new rights. She argued that it could result in public restrooms shared by men and women, in gay marriage, and in the draft for women. In her book Who Will Rock the Cradle?, Schlafly warned that the traditional family would be damaged if women were granted the same rights as men. Schlafly’s words reached many people who shared her conservative beliefs. She appealed to people who did not identify with the values and beliefs of more vocal liberals. In large part because of Schlafly’s work, the

ERA was not ratified by the required number of states in the time Congress had originally allotted. Congress extended the time for ratification to June 1982, and it seemed likely that the amendment would become law. Schlafly went to work again, heading the conservative effort to defeat it. Finally, the ERA fell three votes short of ratification. It has been introduced into every session of Congress since then but has not passed. Phyllis Schlafly founded and heads a conservative group, the Eagle Forum, which supports conservative candidates and causes. Schlafly, known as the champion of women’s traditional place in the home, raised six children. Now in her 80s, Schlafly still delivers a regular radio commentary, writes a newspaper column, contributes articles to Eagle Forum’s Web site, and lobbies for conservative Republican causes. Schlafly also hosts a radio talk show on education. She has written a book, Turbo Reader, on teaching young children to read.

WHAT DID YOU LEARN? 1. Define What were Phyllis Schlafly’s personal achievements in the areas of education and politics?

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______2. Evaluate Phyllis Schlafly says she works as a “volunteer,” calling her involvement in politics “a lifelong hobby.” Explain your reaction to this self-assessment.

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ACTIVITY Work in teams to debate the ERA. One team will represent the position of the National Organization of Women. The other team will represent the position of Phyllis Schlafly. Research your position and build a persuasive argument for or against ratification of the amendment.