this is "through the decades," a unique hour-long time capsulek back at the american women who took aim to shatter that highest glass ceiling. from the fight for the right to vote "at least one woman was calli 'surprise party' "in the entire history of the u.s. there's never been a woman president." "well, yeah, isn't that exciting? i'll be the first one." and the woman whose political longevity launched chapter after chapter "soon, i will begin considering new paths and there are exciting possibilities. i will choose one and pursue it." those stories and more, in the next hour, part of a different

and relate to the events that are cemented in history. i'm ellee pai hong. and i'm kerry sayers. and i'm your host, bill kurtis.- "through the decades." the struggle for equality is baked into our american history. from its first days as an infant nation, the idea of who is equal in the eyes of our government was the subje in the centuries long evolution of this national conversation, the idea of equality has expanded to encompass rac gender and sexual orientation. battles have been won on each of these fronts from the courts to congress. but, it is the presidential seat of power that has been most elusive in this discussion of equity - particularly for the fairer sex. so, in the next hour of our

parity from the woman who launched the suprise party, and a look at the some of great female political pioneers from shirley chisholm to elizabeth dole who showed us how to break those glass ceilings one at a time. but we begin with the struggle that laid the foundation for all to come. the women's fight for the right to vote. an undertaking that began nearly at the dawn of america's existence la unfulfilled for over 100 years. prior to 1920, america was a very different place for womwity virtually had no rights to their name. men held all power from property to income. "the legal theory is known as coverature. the woman is covered by her father until she marries by her husband after

woman could not own property any property that she inherited any money that she might earn belonged to her husband." it was in this climate that the push for women's suffrage july,t point to as the launch of the american women's voting rights movement when elizabeth cady stanton and lucretia mott, women's convention in new y"ma'e beginning point, i don't.i go be spring of that year, abigail adams wrote a remarkable letter to her husband john who was in philadelphia debating the declaration of independence and in that letter she asked him to remember the ladies in your new form of government. he

little thing. we're not even going to think about this and makes a very patronizing joke out of it. i think that abigail was just articulating what was already in the air. at least one woman was calling for a voice in government and that's what a vote is." seventy two years after adams letter to her husband, america was ripe for change. but just as the suffrage movement was gaining momentuit e outbreak of the civil war in 1861. the suffragists endured and by 1917 two main factions within the movement had emerged."the my carrie chapman catt and then the radicals who were very much to the left of the mainstream headed by alice

the national womens party and these are the women who by 1917 are picketing the white house and they were relentless about it. now, by today's standards, it was a very genteel, a very decorous, a very polite picketing. they stood silently with banners but some of those banners had slogans referring to kaiser wilson banners had slogans referring to kaiser wilson because he was not going to deal with alice paul and the national women's party, eventually he had to deal with carrie catt and the mainstream." eventually, president wilson came out in support of suffrage in 1918. in june 1919, the senate passed the bill that would become the nineteenth amendment.

ratification where it continued to be an uphill battle in the south. "and it came down to a long hot summer in nashville." in august,1920 pro and anti suffragist groups descended on tennessee for a special session of the state legislature. after much the tie breaker would be a 23- state legislature. after much the tie breaker would be a 23- year-old representative tennessee who strongly opposed suffrage. "harry burn was the youngest member of the tennessee legislature. on the day of the vote, he votes to ratify. people were shocked, stunned, on both sides. nobody expected harry burn to vote as he did and there were immediate concerns that he had been bought you know what happened to make harry

change his mind?" burn had not been bought. he had been persuaded by the most influential woman in his life"ia letter that he had just received from his 80 year old mother saying, 'be a good boy harry and if it comes down to your vote help mrs. catt put the "rat" in ratification.' harry burn did what his mother asked him to do." burn did what his mother asked him to do." 36th state to ratify. and the nineteenth ammendment would be constitutional law. "it is really impossible to overestimate the importance of the nineteenth amendment. women winning the right to vote in the united states signified the only time in the history of the world where over half of a nation's population won a fundamental right democratically

violence." the right to vote was only the beginning for women particiapting in the political arena. when our journey continues, we turn back the lens of time on gracie allen's unique presidential campaign with the backing of the 'surprise'and wef one of the great women of politics, elizabeth dole.

just 20 years after women were given the right to vote, gracie allen took the stage amidst a brewing political battle. in 1940, gracie was generally known for being half of the burns and allen radio show but amid the depression and against the shadow of a threatening war, gracie allen declared her candidacy for president in a attempt to lift a country's spirits but as campaigns do, this one took on a life of its own. the 1940 presidential election was a campaign of serious ideas among serious men. "it's just the beginning of the fight. a fight for the preservation of american ideals." president franklin d. roosevelt was attempting to be elected to an unheard of third term and wendell willkie was

they campaigned on issues of the economy and the outbreak of war in europe. "then the lufftwaffe battled the great port towns of south hampton." but, within the confines of such serious discussion, the country's desire for levity was palpable. "and now for those two hams - george burns and gracie alle"gro charmed her husband - actor george burns, charmed her husband - actor george burns, "gracie, do you remember when we were married?" "oh, of course i do. " "we were married right here in nyc" "yes." "yes, we had a simple little ceremony and right after i paid the minister two dollars.""no y" "no, i gave him two dollars." "are you sure?" "oh, i gave him two dollars. sure." "well, you forgot to give me, my change." hollywood and her audience alike,came to the rescue. *singing* "vote for gracie, vote for gracie..won't you please give this little girl a

stunt, gracie allen granted the country the fun they were craving as she declared her candidacy for president, running with the backing of the "surprise party" in the winter of 1940. "coming down to the studio tonight, i saw a big banner that said 'vote for gracie.'""y" "all over town, i see signs that say 'put gracie in the white house.' what does this me"well, george, i'll let you in on a secret. i am running for president." on a secret. i am running for president." and the zany character she played - stepped around the issues of women and power with punchlines and wit. "how long has this been going on?" "for 150 years, george washington started it. " "gracie, why are running for president?" "well, because that's the only way you can get to the white house. you can't just walk in and sit down." "look, you don't stand a chance. president's are born." "well what do you think i was, hatched?"

of the u.s. there's neve a woman president." "well, yeah, isn't that exciting? i'll be the first one." but the episode was the beginning of something bigger and she went on to appear on different programs with her message "down with common sense." "jack, did you know, that i am running for president?" "president, i heard about it. where's george?" "he's out digging up worms, so i can go fishing. " that led to a full whistle stop tour across the western united states complete with crowds and "miss allen the reporters are here." "oh, send them in." "miss allen, i am harry crocker of the examiner." "miss allen, my newspaper wants to know just want your platform is." "well, it's knotty pine, inlaid with red oak and california redwood." her campaign also differed than the norm. she even appeared with adversary eleanor roosevelt. though gracie's movement was perhaps not the most serious female

history, it certainly laid a brick in the foundation of what was to come. president roosevelt would go on to be elected for this third term that fall. and the following year - the u.s. entered world war ii and american women would face yet another great challenge and renewed opportunity in the quest for parity. the same year that gracie allen ran for president, margaret chase smith was persuaded by ran for president, margaret chase smith was persuaded by her in the house of representatives, she won. she became the first woman to win a seat in the house and senate. twenty-four years later --- in 1964, she made an announcement for a run at another political office. "but what was really important was that through me for the first time, the women of the united states had an

against women being seriously considered for the presidency of the united states." *applause* "to destroy any political bigotry against women on this score, just as the late john f. kennedy had broken the political barrier on religion and destroyed once and for all such political bigotry." "as gratifying as are reasons advanced urging me to run, i find the reasons advanced against my running to be far more impelling. but were i to run, it would be under severe limitations with respect to lack of money, lack of organization and lack of time because of the requirements of being on the job in washington doing my elected duty instead of

campaign plus the very heavy odds against me. so, because of these very impelling reasons against my running, i have decided that i shall." *laughter and applause* *laughter and applause* mrs. smith wouldn't be the last woman to stand her ground and take a chance. still ahead, we'll remember a woman who refused to accept the status quo and ran for office in spite of hopeless odds

i know you! [laughs] welcome! hi! we're your neighbors. we live across the street. thanks for this. i see you've got time warner cable like the rest of the hood. genius. yeah, they offer tons of free hd channels. and you can record six shows at the same time. and with the super fast internet, entertainment nirvana! wow. nirvana. switch to time warner cable for $89.99 per month, you'll get free hd channels, and unlimited calling. call now. looks like you're all hooked up. game's about to start. let's do it. we're watching here? oh yeah. ohh. how about you and i go watch my favorite show? switching is easy. you'll get our exclusive one-hour arrival window, a money-back guarantee, and there's no contract to sign. oh you've got the twc phone. it's unlimited calling to like half the world. including mexico, canada, india, european union. yeah. this will work as a coffee table. don't! ah! it says...fragile.

for $89.99 per month. plus free installation, tv equipment, and epix included. call now. a young woman stepped directly into the political limelight shirley chisholm, the first african-american congresswoman in 1968. she became the first black presidential candidate in 1972. although she did not win the democratic nomination, chisholm had a long political career, fighting for social justice and educational opportunities for all. "we have never given a person

don't we just give her a chance and see what happens. you may be mighty surprised." voters in new york had already given shirley chisholm a chance making the former educator and local politician the first african american woman elected to congress in 1968chisholm represented new y's 12th congressional district, which included the predominantly poor, black neighborhood of bedrd- stuyvesant in brookl now she wanted a brighter future for those downtrodden and disenfranchised beyond her constituency. a staunch opponent of the vietnam war as well as president nixon's economic policieschisholm announced her presidential bid in january, 1972. "i want to say to you that i did not come to this conclusion easily. i want to say to you that all up and down the length and the breadth of this land,

sense of direction in which our nation is moving. over 100 people crossing color lines, sex lines and even ideological lines came to me in washington and said 'shirley, you must try to make a bid for the presidency in order to give us an alternative, in order that we will not have to make a selection between the lesser of the two evils this time, in order that we will not have to make a selection between tweedle dee and tweedle dum." chisholm said she decided to tweedle dee and tweedle dum." chisholm said she decided to run hopeless odds, she faced both racial and gender barriers.to dl and refusal to accept the status qho. "i realize this is a rough road, but a catalyst for change in society is usually persona non grata with those who have been the beneficiaries of the system. a catalyst for change has to be able to stand the insults, the humiliation, the abuses and the slurs." chisholm ran a largely grass

was ethnically diverse, with endorsements coming from leaders of all civil movements, including, not surprisingly, the leading feminists of the da"the bosses, the pollsters, te analysts are still analyzing in terms of '68, even in terms fo the 1930s and they don't understand that something new is happening in america, and this campaign, the shirley chisholm campaign, is the note of the new politics." "unofrtunately, the press has often followed that kind of old shirley chisholm has not got the breadth and the depth of the coverage she deserves. but the fact is with or without that coverage, she represents a coalition of the powerless." at the 1972 democratic national convention in miami beach, chisholm received 152 delegate votes from 26 states, enough for her to deliver an address

george mcgovern from clinching the party's nomination. she remained in congress for another decade, working to improve opportunities for all minorities. chisholm died on january 1, 2005 at the age of 81, leaving an indelible mark on american politics. during the 2008 democratic presidential primaries as barack obama and hillary clinton staged their historic 'firsts' battle, political observers credited chisholm for paving the way for both of them. "why is it., constantly, when politicians come out from every corner to get the most important thing you have, your vote, why is it is always has to be white males, white males, white males, white males?" the '70s saw a turning point in women in power but it was not done yet.

would rivet the country from the stage at the democratic national convention. plus, we look ahead to the rising powerhouse who would steal the headlines of the 1984 election - geraldine ferraro.

chisholm's run began frayi the fringe of the democratic party another strong black woman took the baton.

and gender barriers and propelling herself onto the nationalstage as a political force. one the entire country would feel as she took the podium at the democratic national convention. thank you ladies and gentleman for a very warm reception."a ves movement, the first african american elected to the texas senate since reconstruction and the first black woman from house of representatives. barbara jordan was a breakthrough voice that had long been muffled in america. "there is something different about tonight. there is something special about tonight. what is different? what is special? i, barbara jordan am a keynote speaker." for the first time in american history, a black woman was the keynote speaker at the

grand distinction, what in the world am i supposed to say? i could easilypend this time praising the accomplishments of this party and attacking the republicans but i don't choose to do that." with careful precision, barbara jordan introduced a tone that was bold, it was frank and it was a clear dissection of the country's great dichotomy one still left unresolved exactly 200 years after 56 men signed the declaration independence. "we are a people in a quandry about the present, we are a people in search of our future, we are a people in search of a national community. we are a people not only trying to solve the problems of the present: unemployment, inflation, but we are tempting

to fulfill the promise of america." certainly, in 1976, barbara jordan's words stood tallbut gi" she spoke to those many years ago remains a quandary todayherf time tower even taller. "let there be no illusions about the difficulty of forming this kind of a national community. it's tough, difficult, not easy. spirit of harmony will survive in america only if each of us remembers that we share a common destiny." geraldine ferraro would be the first to say she was the beneficiary of a long line of women before her when she became the first female vice presidential candidate of a

but, she would return the favor for those to come. ferraro started her career in public service as an assistant district attorney but it was only onward and upward from there. "the democratic party has geraldine ferraro. the republican party does not."gerag star in the democratic party in 1984, when presidential candidate walter mondale chose her to be his running mate making ferraro the rs be nominated as vice-president by a major political party. in washington, ferraro was a staunch advocate of equality in the work place. "this is not a new phenomenon, this has been going on since biblical times, in leviticus, chapter 27, verse 3 and 4. it is funny to see when they talk about women's work and man's work. a woman got paid 30 shekels to a man's 60." she fought for women's rights throughout her three terms in office,

rights amendment. ferraro was also an outspoken critic of president ronald reagan's economic policie"at thn went up to the corner hardware store saturday afternoon, he'd come back with a tool box costing a million dollars and then he'd go home and blame his fiscal problems on the cost of food and housing." ferraro's feistiness won her high marks among colleaguesand e picked her to be his number two on the democti "as far as the eye can see, going downtown from this platform and going up past times square, we are loaded with citizens of the great city of new york, who are out to support mondale and ferraro." but she and mondale faced an uphill battle against thepopulad

bush. but ferraro campaigned tirelessly until the end, going head to head with bush in the vice presidential debate. "let me help you with the difference ms. ferraro, between iran and the embassy in lebanon." "let me just say first of all that i almost resent, vice president bush, your patronizing attitude that you have to teach me about foreign policy." "last week, we issued invitations to george bush and to geraldine ferraro to talk declined. ms. ferraro agreed to discuss the office that is a heart beat away from the oval office." "when i was little, you know we didn't grow up believing we were going to be, we didn't eved be doctors. we were always told we could be nurses." "you said you had a good time on the campaign?" "i didn't say i was having a good time. it's a long working day. it's a 15-16 hour working day. i am getting to know america in a way that very few

am enjoying. it's not a la a minute." in the end, the reagan-bush ticket easily won re-electio"gey way democrats were going to beat ronald reagan was if they had god on the ticket and she was busy." soon after, she wrote a campaign memoir called 'ferraro, my story.' in 1992, ferraro made a bid to become new york's first woman senator but lost in the primary as she would again in 1998. but lost in the primary as she would again in 1998. former first lady hilary clinton fared better in 2000 and had ferraro's full support in her own bid for the white house. "when the election of 1984 was behind me, i waited and i waited for someone willing to take the risk. somoeone who was able to compete. as the years turned to decades i began to wonder if i was expecting too much. hillary is the candidate i've been waiting 23 years for."

recognized alongside hollywood royalty for her many accomplishments. "tonight we're paying tribute to women who've made history and transformed our world. elizabeth taylor and geraldine ferraro accomplished both those thin ferraro died in boston on march 26, 2011 at the age of 75. it was the presidential run that wasn't meant to be. in it was the presidential run that wasn't meant to be. in pat schroeder set up an exploratory campaign to see about throwing her hat into the presidential ring. harvard law school graduate, wife and mother, pat schroeder entered politics in 1972,becoming the first woman elected to congress from coloradoand a staunch advocate f women's rights and family issues.

schroeder was to have played a major role in gary hart's 1988 presidential run but aledged reports of an affair forced him out of the race.this left schroeder with n opening - to run or not to run? by june 1987, she formed an exploratory campaign to see about her own white house ru"i o see women representing women in leadership positions because there is a feeling that the fully capable of it." four years after geraldine ferraro had been a candidate for vice-president, almost two decades after a woman had run for the top of the ticket,many t it was by all accounts an uphill battle. *chanting* "pat run! pat run! pat run!" "woman politicians hope that in 1988 they can cash in on their years of backroom grass roots

"to think that we've done in two months what others had years to do, i think is quite amazing and a real showing of support." "political experts however doubt that schroeder's campaign will force the other candidates to focus on pay equity, daycare, abortion or any of the so-called women's issues." "it's going to be hard for her to get across the idea that she can actually win. she's go to have to always fight the idea that it's a kind of symbolic candidacy." even a support for schroeder was not a given. "i wanted to work for someone who i thought could win not just a nomination but the general election." the big question was funding. schroeder's campaign sloga "no dough, no go" became a battle cry. "as schroeder logged 75,000 miles this summer stressing family issues and concern over defense spending and arms control, she concluded gender wasn't the problem. the difficulties were more

organization." "fundraising fell short, most political organizers were committed elsewhere." by september of 1987, schroeder made her decision. "i learned a lot about america and i learned a lot about pat schroeder. that's why i will not be candidate for preside"aw" "today after weeks of agnoizing, pat schroeder decided to just say no. it was an emotional moment as she told a denver rally it was just too late to put together a winning campaign." "i could not figure out how to those i serve." "there must be a way but i haven't figure it out yet."i tho decide between a real candidacy and a symbolic candidacy and i think she came to the conclusion she could run a symbolic candidacy but she couldn't really run the kind of presidential campaign that would end up in the white house."schroeder's tears made he news and 20 years after qutting

from other women. she continued to serve in congress until 1997. it is only in the past couple of generations that women have emerged as a force in politics'k on a woman who developed an impressive public service career long before even reaching capitol hill.

the year after pat schroeder graduated from harvard law school as one of 15 women among a class of 500, elizabeth dole was in the next class one of 25 female graduates. elizabeth's path took her to d- c after graduation where she held a variety of positions as a consumer advocate. she was nominated to the federal trade commission and continued to break glass ceilings in the commission and continued to break glass ceilings in the cabinets of two presidents and when it came time to throw her own hat into the presidential spotlight, she forged ahead and sought nomination to the highest office for herself. "either you can each, independently decide to make self-regulation work or you can brace yourselves for what may be - full scale, hard hitting action from the government. it's as simple as that." elizabeth dole's work began a

comissioner. "in other words, a consumer revolt is brewing and unless all builders zero in on the problems and pull out all the stops to cure them, consumers are going to rise up in wrath and deliver a mighty blow to your industrthe north carolina a voice for those traditionally not represented on issues like fair housing and she made her early career battling tho "commissioner dole, told members of the national association of home builders that the number of consumer complaints against contractors is unacceptable."she arrived ina registered democrat. elizabeth spent a decade carving out a reputation for hbefore she republican senator from kansas, robert dole in 1975. by then a republican, elizabeth and bob became perhaps the most

a title the couple would hold for decades. elizabeth was the more refined. the daughter of a wealthy family, she would become known as the polish to her husband's bluster. "neither party, player nor owner should be looking to congress for any magic solutions." his moniker from his early days in government was as the repbulican hatchet man. both wanted and were for more. "it was a great night last night." a year after their marriage, mr. dole was selected as president gerald ford's running mate and elizabeth left her post at the f-t-c to campaign on his behalf. in the decade that followed, she became the first woman to hold the position of secretary of transportation under president reagan. "the plan i am announcing

will save as many lives as possible as soon as possible."george h w. bush later nominated her as labor secretary. the third woman in that positiothe public would cow her best as president of the american red cross and potential first lady, as bob beca the 1996 republican nominee. "her name is elizabeth dole, and she wants to be first lady." "well, i am delighted to be here "she's been secretary of transportation and of labor and is now on leave as president of the red cross, as a campaigner elizabeth dole is often more polished than her husband."elize for her husband during the campaign. her lengthy record came under the harsh scrutiny of the political press corps. "i think he'd be a truly great president. so this is about bob dole. it's not about elizabeth dole."

clinton, she is a woman of substance." "regulations are choking small businesses that create 80 percent of the jobs in amerithee with her adversary, another 'woman of substance' whose career was the subject of media fodder, hillary rodham clinton. "government can either be there with a helping hand or walk away." "we've got to appoint judges away." "we've got to appoint judges who crime, tough on criminals." "if we don't take guns off the street, they will be used to commit crimes and violence against the rest of us." "their stature is so unusual, bob dole once suggested a debate between the wives. an idea quickly rejected by campaign aides on both sides. mrs. dole says, she just wants to be her husband's help mate." "we respect each other's views when we want to hear each other's views - and i think

happy marriage would be. but, bob dole is the person who is going to make the decisions." "when she is first lady, she will not be in charge of healthcare. don't worry about it, it's not going to hapthe can her own perspectives to make room for her husband. "wouldn't it be nice to have a president who will use the bully-pulpit to fight with you for america's families, to fight with you for the traditional values that made this country great?" she stole the show at republican national conventio"'o break with tradition." but her role in 1996, even in the face of a presidential loss, set her up in the eyes of republican establishment as a contender in her own righ'e talk about name is dole - not bob - elizabeth." "soon, i will begin considering new paths and there are exciting possibilities, i will choose one and pursue it with all my might. "

formidable presidential candidate says respected political analyst, charles cook." "she would be the only woman running for the nomination, probably up against five or six middle aged white guys, her positioning is good." it was not good enough. dole dropped out of the race after failing to raise enough moneshen a seat in the senate from her home state of north carolina we've spent the hour chronicling the decadnd have carved a place for themselv in the world of politics. still to come, it was an epic battle on capitol hill waged over generations - the fight

hi guys! got the birthday girl a drum set. drum set? he's kidding! [laughs] oh you guys must have time warner cable. this is gonna be some party. yeah, their free home wifi lets us connect all our devices at the same time. and there's no data cap, so... the kids must love that, huh?! hey, there's the birthday girl! let's get this party started! that's more than 8 times faster than dsl and no data cap. uploading! honey, i'm goin viral! call now. get 15 megs for $39.99 a month. hi grandma! miss you! who is that? are you gonna finish that? ok. switching is easy with time warner cable's exclusive one-hour arrival window, so you don't have to wait around. plus, there's no contract all with a money-back guarantee. he over-did it. [snoring]

get 15 meg internet with unlimited data for $39.99 per month. call now. ask about free installation, and access to nearly 500,000 wifi hotspots with select plans. call today. we close our look today with a story about the monumental

supposed to declare once and for all the equality of the sexes. it was a legal effort that spanned decades and a generation or two. first drafted in 1923, it was introduced in every session of congress for the next 47 years and each year it never got past committee. in 1970, representative martha griffiths gave it new life and by 1972 it was passed by both the house and the senate. it wo be ratified into law by t states, but it fell three states sh "the chimes strike at midnight for ratification of the equal rights amendment. at that moment the e-r-a becomes d-o-a bu the emotions which fuel the 10 year battle over the proposal remain high." in june, 1982, the equal rights amendment fell three states short of ratification. for proponents of the bill, it was a bitter defeat to a long

the bill that would mandate equal rights for both men and women was first drafted in 1923 by suffragist and women's rights leader, alice paul. for nearly 50-years after, numerous drafts of paul's bill would be introduced into each session of congress only to fail. but by 1970, the tide was turning in america. fail. but by 1970, the tide was turning in america. "seventy-five feminists occupied the statue of liberty in new york harbor and declared they'd stay there until congress passed the constitutional amendment for women's rights" the women's libertation movement was in full swing. the groundswell of support for women's rights was about to influence the first real action on the bill. michigan congresswoman, martha griffiths, who had been fighting for equal rights legislation since 1955, got the e-r-a to a vote in june of 1970.

"this senate has held two hearings and yet they keep adding on the floor controversial amendments and asking this bill to carry unrelated things with it. they are, in reality, playing games. eighty-two of the senators have introduced the same amendment that i passed. there is no reason for this hesitancy.""to t has to be ratified by 38 so far been ratified by 28 states, rejected in 11." by 1973, the fate of the equal rights amendment once again hung in limbo. "one of the comments of one of the legistrlators is that if jesus wanted men and women to be equal, he would've been sixme apostles." and opposition to the bill now

equal rights amendment is phyllis schlafly, illinois housewife, mother of six, author and political conservative. mrs. schlafly ind campaign has been flying around the country inspiring opposition groups such as this one in dade county in the belief that women have more to lose than to gain by the amendment." "since the women are the ones that bare the babies and there's nothign we can do about that, our laws and customs then make it the financial obligation that, our laws and customs then make it the financial obligation support. it is his obligation and his sole obligation and this is exactly and precisely wh we will lose if the equal rights amendment is passed." and in some southern and western states, the e-r-a also came up against fierce oppostion and had people split on the fundamental meaning of equality for women."you see representati,

philosophy that women were born to serve men. men like that. i think that was yesterday. i think we have to get into the world today."i have a 16 year old daur sitting back here. i don' want her drafted. i don't want her to be drafted in any situatio"woman was created to bp mate for a man and to bear children ... i was quoting from the bible ... and to bare children ... i was quoting from the bible ... and to bare children to populate the worl "the two sides could not be more totally irreconcilable. each perceives the issue as a fundemental dispute over the american way of life. but for the women's liberation movement, there is something more at stake, it regards ratification of the amendment as merely a start on the way toward equality. it thinks that the amendment's defeat would confirm that only all men are created equal." although congress extended the

for ratification to june 30, 1982, at the deadline, the e-r-a had only been ratified by 35 states, three states short of the 38 required to add it to the constitution. "but while the women's movement lost that battle, look at some of the rights and liberties it won. sixteen states passed their own e-r-as others repealed limits on the hours women could work. in education, federal law banned sex women could work. in education, federal law banned sex discrimination receiving federal funds. that helped women's sports. and you can say goodbye to the big man on campus, women now outnumber men at u.s. colleges." despite using the same strategy employed in 1923 - the era has been reintroduced in every congressional session since 1982, the equal rights amendment has yet to become law

that'll do it for us today.i'm . as we leave, one last look back at powerful women "through the

i know you! [laughs] welcome! hi! we're your neighbors. we live across the street. thanks for this. i see you've got time warner cable like the rest of the hood. genius. yeah, they offer tons of free hd channels. and you can record six shows at the same time. and with the super fast internet, entertainment nirvana! wow. nirvana. switch to time warner cable for $89.99 per month, you'll get free hd channels, 30 meg internet with no data cap, and unlimited calling. call now. looks like you're all hooked up. game's about to start. let's do it. we're watching here? oh yeah. ohh. how about you and i go watch my favorite show? switching is easy. you'll get our exclusive one-hour arrival window, a money-back guarantee, and there's no contract to sign. oh you've got the twc phone. it's unlimited calling to like half the world. including mexico, canada, india, european union. yeah. this will work as a coffee table. don't! ah! it says...fragile. get tv, internet and phone for $89.99 per month. plus free installation, tv equipment, and epix included.

>> announcer: the following is a paid presentation for tree dazzler, brought to you by bulbhead. can you believe it? christmas is right around the corner. and putting up those christmas-tree lights is gonna be a headache. the time, the tangles -- what a hassle! and it's the same old, same old lights as last year. what a bore. now it's time to wow your tree and forget everything you know about christmas lights. >> both: whoa! >> [ laughs ] >> announcer: get ready for tree dazzler by star shower, the sensational new way to illuminate your tree and make it look spectacular. and with this brand-new christmas-tree lighting system, you get not 1 but 16 amazing light shows -- all from just 1 tree dazzler. >> it makes my christmas tree look magical, like it jumped out of a fairy tale.