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March 12, 2026, Asheville, N.C. (WLOS) — Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer received an award from the nonprofit Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) Now for her support of the Equal Rights Amendment as the group stopped in front of Asheville City Hall during its “Driving the Vote for Equality” tour.
The nonprofit group’s tour recreates a 1916 road trip taken by two suffragists to spread awareness about women’s inability to vote at the time. Organizers said this year’s tour features the same vehicle used during that 1916 road trip.
During the group’s Asheville stop on Thursday, residents had the chance to speak with organization representatives and step into the vehicle. Representatives also petitioned for the Equal Rights Amendment, which prohibits sex discrimination under the Constitution, to be recognized as the 28th Amendment.
“It’s really important for especially young women in the audience to know how important [the] Equal Rights Amendment is for equal pay. It’s important for education opportunities. It’s important for violence against women,” said Kathy Bonk, an ERA Now representative. “It gives us the highest level of support that the Constitution can give.”
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On January 17, 2025, President Biden declared the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) is the law of the land as the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The ERA strengthens protections against gender-based discrimination, offering a robust foundation to combat gender-based violence, pay inequality, access to reproductive health and other forms of discrimination disproportionately affecting women and other marginalized groups.
Despite this historic milestone, misinformation about the Equal Rights Amendment continues to circulate. Some claim an arbitrary timeline imposed by Congress is binding, but the text of the ERA ratified by the states includes no such restrictions, making the timeline irrelevant. Others argue states can rescind their ratifications, yet historical precedent shows this is not allowed. President Biden’s declaration affirms the ERA’s legitimacy, superseding the Archivist’s need to act as their role is purely ministerial.
As legal scholars Laurence H. Tribe and Kathleen M. Sullivan explain in The Contrarian:
“It is not necessary for the National Archivist to publish the ERA for it to be adopted under the Constitution. The President avoided conflict with the Archivist, who recently stated she would defy her ministerial duty to publish the ERA. Nearly a century ago, Congress tasked the Archivist with ensuring the nation was informed that an amendment was in force. In today’s age of instant communication, the President’s announcement fulfills that function.” The Honorable Russ Feingold provides a very clear explanation in the Nation.
Now, it’s time to raise awareness: the debate is over—the Equal Rights Amendment is the 28th Amendment to the Constitution and we will use it to make gender equality a reality.
Zakiya Thomas
President & CEO ERA Coalition and ERA Coalition Forward
Tell our members of Congress to support the ERA!
Call U.S. Senators Thom Tillis (202-224-6342), Ted Budd (202-224-3154)
and U.S. Representative Chuck Edwards, 11th District, (202-225-6401)
and tell them to support the ERA.
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