While battle goes on for federal ERA amendment, state seeks to enshrine it in own constitution

by Carol Lenz

Updated September 24, 2025

Although in 1972 Wisconsin became one of the first states to ratify the federal Equal Rights Amendment the state still has not been able to get it passed in its own constitution. Advocates hope that is about to change.

Appleton Area NOW and a host of other local advocacy groups announced on Sept. 22 that a group of Democratic legislators are proposing an Equal Rights Amendment to the Wisconsin Constitution.