The Equal Rights Amendment: An Ongoing Struggle – Women’s Rights in the
United States Series | Academy 4 Social Change
The Equal Rights Amendment: Lesson Plan
Topic
The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) is a proposed amendment to the U.S.
Constitution that guarantees equal constitutional rights to United States citizens
of all sexes. The most recent proposition of the ERA reads, “Equality of rights
under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State
on account of sex.” The ERA was originally created to further the active civic status
of women after winning the right to vote. To this day, the only right granted to
women by federal law is the right to vote.
Possible subjects/classes
Time needed
History
Social Studies
Civics
45-60 minutes
Video link:
https://academy4sc.org/topic/the-equal-rights-amendment-an-ongoing-struggle/
Objective: What will students know/be able to do at the end of class?
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
● Describe the purpose of the Equal Rights Amendment.
● Identify the key issues that make the Equal Rights Amendment necessary.
● Explain the degree to which women are protected by the U.S. Constitution.
Key Concepts & Vocabulary
Amendment, Ratify, Discrimination
Materials Needed
Paper and pens for students
Worksheet
Before you watch
The Equal Rights Amendment: An Ongoing Struggle – Women’s Rights in the
United States Series | Academy 4 Social Change
Think-pair-share : Ask students to write down what they know about how
personal rights are connected to the U.S. Constitution and the amendments to
the Constitution. Also, ask students to write down the questions they have about
the same topic. Then gather in small groups and review responses. Debrief as a
class.
While you watch
Answer questions 1-4 on the Worksheet.
After you watch/discussion questions
1. What are some examples of discrimination based on sex?
2. How do the words spoken by Alice Paul almost a century ago resonate with
you today? “We shall not be safe until the principle of equal rights is written
into the framework of our government.”
3. What is the connection between being safe and being protected by the
law?
Activity Ideas
● Brainstorm with a partner about the kind of rights you feel everyone is
entitled to, whether they are included in the Constitution or not. As you
come up with these rights (examples: right to food, shelter, water), consider
examples of people who don’t feel secure in them (examples: those
without access to safe food and water, or who are homeless). After
brainstorming, debrief as a class. Have students share these rights and
write them on the board. Reflect on how although these rights are
considered universal and innate, different groups have had their rights
infringed upon.
● Write a journal entry about a time when you or someone you know had
been denied a right. Entries can be roughly a paragraph or two long. Then
get into groups and discuss what it means to be included or excluded from
the Constitution. Why is it important to be “protected” under the law? Then
collectively answer questions 5-7 on the Worksheet.
Sources/places to learn more
1. Alice Paul Institute, (2018). Equal Rights Amendment Resources.
https://www.equalrightsamendment.org/ and ERA Resources
2. Alice Paul Institute: Education, Empowerment, Equality, (2015). “The History
of the Equal Rights Amendment.”
https://www.alicepaul.org/era/
The Equal Rights Amendment: An Ongoing Struggle – Women’s Rights in the
United States Series | Academy 4 Social Change
3. Mrs. America (2020). Hulu series created by Dahvi Waller.
4. ACLU American Civil Liberties Union (2020). Know Your Rights: Sex
Discrimination
5. United 4 Equality, LLC. #ERA2020 Campaign.
http://www.united4equality.com/landing-3
6. Institute for Women’s Policy Research, (2020). Pay Equity and
Discrimination
