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This file includes material on the University of Michigan Law School; Women Law Students Association.
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1069077
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1976/02/18 - Susan B. Anthony Birthday Telegram
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1069077
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document
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1976/02/18 - Susan B. Anthony Birthday Telegram
description
This file includes material on the University of Michigan Law School; Women Law Students Association.
citationUrl
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Frances K. Pullen Files
Frances Pullen's Working Files
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Equal Rights Amendment Project
President (1974-1977 : Ford). Office of the First Lady. 1974-1977
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1976-02-18
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1976
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18
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1976-02-18
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1976
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The original documents are located in Box 1, folder "1976/02/18 - Susan B. Anthony
Birthday Telegram" of the Frances K. Pullen Papers at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential
Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Scanned from Box 1 of the Frances K. Pullen Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
Family Oriented Response
All of us sometimes find changes difficult to accept,
and I believe this is the reason many Americans are afraid of the
passage of the Equal Rights Amendment.
Many women, and I am among them, believe their
husbands and families are their most important
responsibility. ERA will not force women to abandon this
insurex
responsibility, but it will help degakrights end discrimination
that harms both men and women.
Millions of American women either by
choice or
necessity work outside the home. These women are often
stuck in low-paying jobs with limited opportunities for
advancement,
I support ERA, because it will help knock down restrictions,
which have locked women out of full participation
in our society. In XXXXXX XX
XXXXXXXXXXX XXX As barriers against freedom for
Americans because of race or religion have fallen, the freedom of all
has expanded.
Often I've said Itk I la d the best of both worlds
a
family and a career I was lucky enough to have
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
I want for my four children the stunity to use their
talents to the fullest. If one of my sens and my daughter should chose
the same I want the doors open tokhem equally.
Page Two
I want for my children and yours the opportunity to
use their talents to the fullest. If one of my sons and my daughter
chose the same career, I want them to have an equal chance to
hope they
pursue that choice and and succeed.
the L MKXX
***
When the question comes down to the personal level
what
of how we want to be treated ourselves or the our families
for
treated, it becomes easier to see what fair and equal choices would
really mean in our lives.
the
I want an America where we live up to our ideals of
each citizen having has the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
ERA will move us closer to making that right a reality.
-30-
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
ERA Fears
I hope this year the debate over the Equal Rights
Amendment will not be clouded by emotionalism and fear.
Some opponents of ERA have played on the fears
of men and women alike that the Amendment would suddenly
destroy our basic family structure and alter existing social
customs and mores.
I suppose such fears are natural. Many Amendments,
including women's suffrage, were opposed on grounds they would
produce devastating changes. But none has.
ERA will not force women away from their families,
send women into combat or force common public bathrooms.
It will not strike down protective laws, but probably result in their
extension to be equitable to both sexes. Laws on alimony and
child support will
be altered, not to the deteriment of women,
but to be more
humane and fair to all people involved.
ERA will help open more doors for women and
give
reduce
a Constitutional vehicle to economic and legal discrimination.
As
Such changes
be
beneficial
to
all
as we
eroded
have seen racial and religious discrimination request, more freedom:
FORD R. LIBRARY GERALD
for all has resulted.
We must not be afraid of humane and realistic changes in
our Society. I believe equal rights for women will strengthen our
Nation by
using the talents of more people.
America has been unique in its faith in what the individual's
right to decide on how
America has been unique in its faith in freedom for the
individual, and that faith must be reaffirmed by extending that freedom
to individuals who are women.
-30-
NEEDS TO GO OUT TODAY/EVENT IS SUNDAY
Telegram/ Women Law Students Association
The University of Michigan Law School
I wish I could join your SEXE celebration of Susan
B. Anthony's birthday, because she is a special favorite
of mine.
The spirit of the woman who worked so long and hard
is
to secure the vote for women shankdxks an inspiration to
those of us committed to the Equal Rights Amendment.
I hope soon the passage of
ERA will become another milestone in the effort to secure
equal rights, EN4 equal responsibilities
and equal choices for American women.
I join your salute to Susan B. AND Anthony, who gave
her best in that ***** continuing effort, and kn I send my
warm wishes to those of you in the Women Law Students Association,
who are using the opportunities her work helped open up.
Sincerely,
TORD
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
February 1976
I support the Equal Rights Amendment because I feel that barriers to
one person's freedoms in this country are impediments for all.
As walls due to race, color or religion have fallen, freedom for all has
expanded. And likewise, as women begin to be granted full opportunities
to participate, our country's full potential can begin to be felt.
I see the ERA as a beginning. I see it as a base on which to build. I
can't pretend it will be the overnight end to discrimination. But it will
invoice
be part of the evolution of more equal treatment for women. Progress in
the recognition of women as a force in our society needs legal roots, and
four
the ERA will provide them
believe
I see the ERA as legislation that S as important to the housewife as to
the career woman. Like many women, my husband and children are my first
priority, although I recognize, that's not true for everyone. But my
specific lifestyle or yours is not the issue; the issue is having the
option to decide. The ERA does not ask us to change our priorities. It
gives us the freedom to choose them.
This is the year to unite against the scare tactics which cloud the issues
and threaten to block our chance for real equality in this country.
We've been given the right of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Let's make those rights a reality. And let's do it as a most appropriate
celebration of liberty in our Country's 200th year.