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"Executive Order

Establishing the President's Commission on the status of women:

Whereas prejudices and outmoded customs act as barriers to the full realization of women's basic rights which should be respected and fostered as part of our Nation's commitment to human dignity, freedom, and democracy; and

Whereas measures that contribute to family security and strengthen home life will advance the general welfare; and

Whereas it is the national interest to promote the economy, security, and national defense through the most efficient and effective utilization of the skills of all persons; and

Whereas in every period of national emergency women have served with distinction in widely varied capacities but thereafter have been subject to treatment as a marginal group whose skills have been inadequately utilized; and

Whereas women should be assured the opportunity to develop their capacities and fulfill their aspirations on a continuing basis irrespective of national exigencies; and

Whereas a Governmental Commission should be charged with the responsibility for developing recommendations for overcoming discriminations in government and private employment on the basis of sex and for developing recommendation for services which will enable women to continue their role as wives and mothers while making a maximum contribution to the world around them:

Now, therefore, by virtue of the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and statutes of the United States, it is ordered as follows:

Part III- Remuneration and Expenses

Sec. 301. Members of the Commission, except those receiving other compensation from the United States, shall receive such compensation as the President shall hereafter fix in a manner to be hereafter determined.

The White House,

December 14, 1961"

Phyllis Schlafly, who challenged the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) in the 70s, continues to be a vocal opponent of radical feminism. Schlafly is the President of Eagle Forum, a conservative organization that she created in order to defeat the ERA, and she explains her position on feminism in this video. The ERA was introduced into the Senate for the first time on December 10, 1923, and to the House on December 13, 1923.

Alice Paul, the well-known American suffragist, penned the Equal Rights Amendment in 1923. Paul, during her lifetime of activism and lobbying for women's rights, experienced imprisonment and torture. Her tribulations and victories in her fight for gender equality are highlighted in this video. The ERA was introduced into the Senate for the first time on December 10, 1923, and to the House on December 13, 1923.

First Lady Betty Ford, a vocal supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), addresses the International Women's Year Conference on gender equality. Her public endorsement of the ERA caused a stir during her time as First Lady. In this speech, her response to the criticism: "I do not believe that being first lady should prevent me from expressing my ideas." Both she and her husband, former President Gerald Ford, were adamant supporters of the ERA. The ERA was introduced into the Senate for the first time on December 10, 1923, and to the House on December 13, 1923.

William F. Buckley Jr. moderates a debate with two women on the merits of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). Phyllis Schlafly, the National Chairman of the group, "Stop Equal Rights Amendment," argues that a problem of the amendment is that women would be subject to the draft. Dr. Ann Scott, from the National Organization for Women, disagrees with Schlafly that drafting women would be a problem. The ERA was introduced into the Senate for the first time on December 10, 1923, and to the House on December 13, 1923.