Many states, beginning in the 1960s, added Equal Rights Amendments (ERAs) to their State Constitutions to formally and legally give women the same rights as men. But have they actually been helpful in advancing women’s rights? The impact of these ERAs can be observed by looking at the many factors that increase the likelihood of their passage, correlations between ERAs and gender inequality, and the inclusivity of the language used in the amendments themselves. Learn about the outcomes of cases brought under these amendments and whether the United States courtrooms are on the side of progress. By the end of this presentation, audience members will be equipped with knowledge that will allow them to advocate for women’s rights more effectively, understand which methods of advocacy have proven to be a lost cause, and speak knowledgeably about the role that courtrooms play in advancing gender equality.

Madeline Thieschafer

Madeline Thieschafer is a Hamline Alum (CLA 2020) who has always been committed to equity and justice. After graduating with her B.A. in Legal Studies and Spanish, Madeline accepted a position as a Bilingual Paralegal and Healthcare Navigator at Mid Minnesota Legal Aid, where she helps immigrants and people of low income obtain health insurance. However, her proudest achievement in the field of public interest is the completion of her senior thesis State Equal Rights Amendments: How the Language of the Law Affects Women’s Rights. Though the project comes from humble beginnings (being mentioned in passing during a first-year college course), it has blossomed into an extensive and thorough investigation of gender equality in the United States. Madeline hopes to continue examining the relationships between the laws of the United States and gender inequality as she enters law school Fall 2021.

David Schultz

David Schultz is the Distinguished University Professor of Political Science and Legal Studies at Hamline University, where he teaches across a wide range of American politics topics including public policy and administration, campaigns and elections, and government ethics. He is the author of 30 books and 100+ articles on various aspects of American politics, election law, and the media and politics, and he is regularly interviewed and quoted in the local, national, and international media on these subjects by agencies including the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Economist, and National Public Radio. His most recent books are Presidential Swing States: Why Only Ten Matter (2015), Election Law and Democratic Theory (2014), and American Politics in the Age of Ignorance: Why Lawmakers Choose Belief Over Research (2013). A three-time Fulbright scholar who has taught extensively in Europe, Professor Schultz is the 2013 Leslie A. Whittington national award winner for excellence in public affairs teaching.