phi donahue historic era rally chicago 1980

navigate by keyword : 1980 activist advocates aid ally amendment banners chicago couple crowd deadline dedication demonstration demonstrators devoted donahue donned equal era expired expression fell female females fervor focused gathering gestures grant guest historic honor honored idealism illinois inspiring language male marchers may microphones mostly nearly park passage passed passion phil pioneer podium political rally ratification right rights sashes short show sign speaker speaks state successfully suffragists supporting symbolic symbolism talk television time venue vote votes women won

Phi Donahue at Historic ERA Rally in Chicago in 1980

Honored Guest, television talk show pioneer and activist Phil Donahue addresses a mostly female crowd of nearly 100,000 demonstrators supporting ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment on May 10, 1980. The venue was Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois. Marchers donned white sashes in honor of suffragists who successfully won the right for women to vote, in 1920. Illinois passed the amendment, but it fell a couple of state votes short by the time the deadline for passage expired in 1982.