Women Hunger for Justice
Women Hunger for Justice was a direct action protest in support of the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment in Illinois in 1982.[1] The fast received significant attention in the press and included the participation of Sonia Johnson, Sister Maureen Fiedler and Zoe Nicholson.[2]
Background of the fast
[edit]The deadline set by Congress to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment was during the summer of 1982. The amendment expired on June 30 of that year so a fast was planned by seven women's rights activists to raise attention for the need for the Illinois state legislature to pass the amendment.[3]
Overview of the fast
[edit]
The fast began on May 18, 1982,[4] and lasted 37 days.[5] During the fast there was both taunting by onlookers and concern in the press for the health of the women who participated.[3] Comedian Dick Gregory came by to visit the women for three days and participated in the fast.[3] The fasters were quoted in the press as saying they were symbolic of the "suffering of women that has remained invisible."[6] Documents and images of the fast are held in the archives at Smith College and the Schlesinger Library.[7][8]
Sr. Maureen Fiedler, a Roman Catholic nun, received a great deal of attention in the press for her participation in the fast.[2] She called the fast a "religious witness."[2] The fast ended on June 24, 1982.[9]
Support from Gloria Steinem
[edit]Gloria Steinem paid for a van, known as the "Gloriamobile" to transport the women during the fast.[10]
National Organization for Women involvement
[edit]The National Organization for Women paid for rooms for the fasters at a Ramada Inn.[10]
Heath of the fasters
[edit]Sonia Johnson[1] was very sick during the fast and collapsed on two different occasions.[10] At times she was unable to walk without assistance.[3] Johnson's supporters were worried she was willing to die in support of the ERA.[3]
Participants
[edit]Eight women[11] ultimately participated in the Women Hunger for Justice fast.[4] Zoe Nicholson wrote a book about her participation in the fast titled A Hungry Heart: A Woman's Fast for Justice.[12] Women who participated in the fast included
- Mary Barnes[13]
- Dina Bachelor[13][9]
- Sonia Johnson
- Sister Maureen Fiedler
- Zoe Nicholson
- Mary Ann Real[13]
- Shirley Wallace[11]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "ERA Faster Stricken". Washington Post. 2023-12-25. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2024-04-20.
- ^ a b c Ruderman, Gary S. (June 28, 1982). "As Time Runs Out For The E.R.A., Eight Women Stage An Ordeal By Hunger in the Illinois Capital". Ebsco. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
- ^ a b c d e "ERA hunger strikers flirt with death - UPI Archives". UPI. Retrieved 2024-04-20.
- ^ a b "7 Women on a Hunger Strike In Support of Rights Proposal". The New York Times. May 28, 1982. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-04-20.
- ^ "40 years after her Mormon excommunication, ERA firebrand Sonia Johnson salutes today's 'wonderful' women, says men 'bore' her". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
- ^ Martin, Sandra (June 10, 1982). "Fasting is Unladylike". Illinois Times.
- ^ "Collection: Equal Rights Amendment Campaign Archives Project records | Smith College Finding Aids". findingaids.smith.edu. Retrieved 2024-04-20.
- ^ "Papers of Mary Lee Sargent, 1982-2004". Schlesinger Library.
- ^ a b "Historical photos: Equal Rights Amendment fight". Winston-Salem Journal. 2018-06-11. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
- ^ a b c Mansfield, Stephanie (June 10, 1982). "The Hunger for Equality". Washington Post.
- ^ a b Jr, Nathaniel Sheppard; Times, Special To the New York (1982-06-20). "PRESS FOR RIGHTS AMENDMENT INTENSIFIES IN ILLINOIS". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-04-20.
- ^ "The Hungry Heart: A Woman's Fast for Justice". Goodreads. Retrieved 2024-04-20.
- ^ a b c "ERA hunger striker won't quit despite her condition". The Galveston Daily News. May 31, 1982.