As Richmond recovers from a harsh winter storm, the city finds itself at the center of a national conversation about equality. Richmond resident and Executive Director of VoteEqualityUS, Kati Hornung, has been leading a campaign urging President Joe Biden to formally enshrine the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) as the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
This movement, marked by daily protests in Washington, D.C., and high-profile arrests at the National Archives, gained a significant boost on January 17 when President Biden declared the ERA “the law of the land.” Affirming that the amendment had “cleared all necessary hurdles,” Biden called it the 28th Amendment, emphasizing its place in the U.S. Constitution.
A Richmond Advocate with National Reach
Hornung, known for her instrumental role in securing Virginia’s ratification of the ERA in 2020, is now leading a broader campaign for its recognition nationwide. Her work highlights the glaring gap in the U.S. Constitution: despite 168 international constitutions including provisions for gender equality, the United States has yet to officially codify this fundamental right.
In a recent feature by NBC Washington, the arrests of pro-ERA protesters at the National Archives underscore the determination of advocates like Hornung to “publish equality” before their self-declared deadline of January 19.
Virginia’s Role in the Movement
Hornung isn’t the only Virginian driving this campaign. Ratified The Film, released earlier this year, captures the state’s critical role in the fight for the ERA. The documentary features Hornung alongside notable figures like Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan and State Senator Jennifer Carroll Foy, both of whom were pivotal in Virginia’s ratification process.
Adding to the Richmond connection, Liza Mickens—a rising star recognized as one of Style Weekly’s Top 40 Under 40—serves as VoteEqualityUS’s official spokesperson. Mickens, a descendant of Maggie L. Walker, continues her family’s legacy of activism by amplifying the call for constitutional gender equality.
Why This Matters
The ERA’s journey has spanned decades, and its recognition would mark a historic milestone in the fight for gender equality in the United States. Advocates argue that the amendment, fully ratified by the required 38 states, should now be published in the U.S. Constitution. However, legal and political roadblocks, including debates over deadlines and procedural barriers, have delayed this outcome.
Hornung and her team remain steadfast, emphasizing that equality is a non-negotiable right. “Gender equality isn’t just an aspiration—it’s a necessity,” Hornung said in a recent interview. “We’re calling on leaders to act now.”
How to Support
To learn more about the movement, visit VoteEqualityUS.
Update: Presidential Declaration on the ERA
On January 17, President Joe Biden issued a statement declaring the Equal Rights Amendment “the law of the land.” He affirmed that the amendment has “cleared all necessary hurdles” to be recognized as part of the U.S. Constitution, calling it the 28th Amendment.
However, this declaration is largely symbolic. The National Archives, responsible for certifying constitutional amendments, has stated that further action from Congress or the courts is required to officially certify the ERA. Legal and procedural disputes, including the expired ratification deadline, continue to impede full recognition of the amendment.
Despite these challenges, Biden’s public support has been hailed as a critical step in the fight for gender equality. Advocates like Kati Hornung see the president’s statement as momentum to push forward. “This is a pivotal moment,” Hornung said, “but the work isn’t over. Equality must be enforced, not just declared.”
