To many people, Phyllis Schlafly’s self-described greatest political achievement almost single-handedly set back women’s progress in this country.
But it’s impossible to argue that Schlafly’s not an incredibly accomplished woman in her own right.
A lawyer, author of over 20 books and the founder of the politically powerful Eagle Forum, Schlafly was already well-known in conservative circles when she took aim at the Equal Rights Amendment in 1972. Declaring that "Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex," the proposed constitutional amendment had already been ratified by 28 of the necessary 38 states and appeared well on its way to becoming the law of the land.
But then Schlafly got to work. Her "STOP ERA" campaign raised a Pandora's box-full of potential fallout from the amendment, from mandated unisex public bathrooms to women being drafted into the military. The result: Five additional states ratified the amendment, but five others rescinded their previous approvals and the ERA went down in defeat about a decade later.
A more fundamental argument — that the ERA would weaken the rights of “traditional” families, especially those of stay-at-home wives and mothers — opened Schlafly up to charges of hypocrisy. Along with all her other work, critics pointed out, the mother of six and onetime congressional candidate also had busy careers as a public speaker, columnist and TV commentator.
“It’s ridiculous,” Schlafly scoffed in a 2009 interview with Time magazine. “I’ve had it all, but I’ve had it at different times in my life.”
And she’s hardly let up even at 91, continuing to play a hugely influential role on conservative issues at the Eagle Forum and beyond. Earlier this month, Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump had a private meeting with Schlafly in St. Louis. Then she went out and endorsed him.
About the Author
