Indiana was a key state in the battle for equal rights for women. Senator Birch Bahh was the chief sponsor of the Constitutional Amendment. The Republican-controlled State Senate didn't want to give Bayh a victory and bottled up ERA in Committee. When the deadline for a ratification loomed, a coalition of women's and civil rights organizations, labor, and educators, made ERA ratification a priority in the 1976 elections.

We targeted key districts to win ratification. Seizing Democratic control of the State Senate was crucial. The House also shifted control -- from Democratic to Republican -- but the Republican speaker, his wife and church were enthusiastic supporters of the ERA.

Among those in the Hoosiers for ERA (HERA) coalition for ratification were:
the National Organization for Women; Women's Political Caucus; League of Women Voters; AAUW; BPW; National Council of Jewish Women; National Council of Negro Women; NAACP; WEAL; Women in Communications; YWCA; Common Cause; ICLU; ISNA, NASW; ISTA; IFT; UAW and AFL-CIO labor unions; Church Women United; ministers, rabbis, and lay leaders; attorneys, educators, professors, and numerous professional groups.

Politicians of both parties were key to the successful effort, including:
Republican Governor Otis Bowen and Lt. Governor Robert Orr; Republican Speaker Kermit Burrous and his wife Anita of Peru; House Democratic leadership, including former Speaker Phil Bainbridge and Mike Phillips; current Senate President Pro Tempore Robert Garton; the late President Pro Tempore Robert Fair (D-Princeton) and Senate Sponsor Tom Teague (D-Anderson.) Maureen Reagan and President Carter's daughter-in-law also came to Indiana to help lobby for ratification.

The Indiana Senate ratified the ERA on January 18, 1977, by only one vote. Although many states quickly ratified after the ERA passed Congress in 1972, Indiana was the only state to ratify after Phyllis Schlafly and the right wing came out in force against us. It was very big news nationally when conservative Indiana did what Illinois and Florida could never accomplish.

Among those Indiana State Senators who cast the historic pro ERA vote were Congresswoman Julia Carson, and Governor Frank O'Bannon.

WHAT IS INDIANA NOW PAC?
The Indiana National Organization for Women Political Action Committee is an all volunteer organization with no paid staff or lobbyists. Indiana NOW PAC was born from the success of the 1976 ERA election strategy, and continues as the only PAC in Indiana devoted solely to the broad spectrum of gender based civil rights issues.

Most of our contributors are women for whom a $10 contribution represents a larger percentage of their income than the $5,000 PAC contributions typically given by large corporations. And for their $10, each of our contributors asks only to be treated fairly, with equal civil rights under the law, NOT for a special tax break or financial advantage.
 

Indiana NOW PAC knows it cannot compete, dollar wise, with the big money PACs. Thus we concentrate on supporting non-incumbent legislative candidates, particularly in primaries and open seat contests. Our contributors' dollars are put to a better use in a limited number of such races, than if the pot were divided into many small contributions to all the incumbents who have
supported our issues over the years.
 

We are sponsoring the 25th anniversary celebration of Indiana's Equal Rights Amendment ratification at no charge, so that no one who cares about women's rights will be excluded. Refreshments and entertainment will be provided, as well as unique ERA memorabilia. Legislators who supported the ERA in 1977 have been invited as special guests.

If you are unable to join us on January 18, you can still continue the spirit of the successful ERA election strategy of '76 by sending a check to help us support candidates who support women. Send to:

Indiana NOW PAC
P.O. Box 2264
Indianapolis, IN 46206
 

Please contact PAC President Jill Chambers at 317-921-8180 or JLCHAMB@aol.com, if you know of good candidates thinking of filing for a legislative seat. The filing deadline is noon on February 22. This is also the deadline to file for precinct committee person, state convention delegate, school board, or any office up for election in 2002.