Between 1:30 and 1:54 pm EST today the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) ratification petition received the required minimum 25,000 signatures that triggers a response from the White House. This means that White House staff will review it, send it to the appropriate policy experts, and issue an official response in the very near future.
Luanne J. Smith, one of the organizers for the petition drive, sent out this congratulations announcement as soon as we passed the 25,000 mark:
Yes!!!! We have passed the 25,000-signature mark, and with 3 1/2 days to spare!!!! Congratulations to Tammy Simkins, who initiated the petition and coordinated the petition drive, and to the entire team of ERA supporters who have worked so hard to see us reach this milestone!!! If you haven’t already joined the team by signing and sharing the petition, please do so NOW! Let’s get the Equal Rights Amendment moving forward! ERA NOW!!!
And here’s a screen shot at 1:54 pm EST today, February 6, 2013 showing 34 signatures over the 25,000 signature threshold.
Screenshot of “We the People” website showing more than 25,000 signatures on ERA petition.
Signature number 25,000 was from Knoxville, TN. Which by the way is rather neat. It was Tennessee’s ratification of 19th amendment on August 24 1920 that gave women the right to vote. And that ratification vote was by a majority of one vote. So having signature 25,000 come from someone from Tennessee is appropriate.
The ERA petition to the White House will remain open for signing until 11:59 pm EST February 9, 2013. Please add your name to the groundswell for this historic petition. For more information on the petition, check out my earlier blogs here and here.
Congratulations everyone for all your hard work!
Civil Rights Advocacy 
From Tammy Simkins, who started the petition and coordinated the petition drive:
Together, WE did it! I am honored and privileged to be working shoulder-to-shoulder with so many women and men who cared enough to get involved with our White House ERA Petition. Our joint effort will ensure President Obama hears our voice loud and clear—NOW is the time to ratify the ERA! WE will make it happen! This petition is the first step in making “EQUALITY FOR ALL” the law of the land. Alice and all of our equality forebears are proud today! I know I am. Onward to equality!
– Tammy Simkins, Signer #1
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Here’s a statement on the front page of http://equalrightsamendment.org re: today’s victory:
ERA White House petition now at 25,000 and counting!
The White House petition asking the Obama Administration to actively support the ERA has reached 25,000 signatures more than three days before its deadline at the end of Saturday, February 9.
The prize: White House staff will review it, ensure it is sent to the appropriate policy experts, and issue an official response.
DON’T STOP NOW! The more signatures the better!
Click here and add your name to the petition. Pick up the pace, pile up the signatures, and keep spreading the word.
Ask supporters to sign as long as the White House website keeps the petition live. (Check even after the deadline passes.)
Website: http://wh.gov/P6gP
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