I love the Op-Ed section of the paper. I believe we all need to write at least one letter on something we’re passionate about in our lifetime. In saying that, I applaud this reader

In the United States, women and girls are not legally guaranteed equal rights. We have seen the devastating consequences of this reality in our fights against unequal pay, workplace harassment, pregnancy discrimination, domestic violence, health care inequities, discrimination against LGBTQIA+ individuals, and more.

The Equal Rights Amendment is the only duly ratified constitutional amendment that has not been added to the Constitution; now is the time. The ERA became the 28th Amendment over four years ago; it will update the Constitution to provide nationwide protection against discriminatory federal and state laws.

The ERA is necessary to uphold and restore the rights of more than half our population. President Joe Biden has acknowledged its ratification but passed the buck to a polarized Congress. This political punting has precluded the ERA’s publication and has cost people their health and lives. President Biden has the power to instruct the U.S. Archivist to certify and publish the amendment, making equal rights the law of the land.

With just days left in office, the League of Women Voters of Washington calls upon President Biden to pick up the phone and instruct the Archivist to finalize the ERA now.

Mr. President, your legacy is calling.

Mary Coltrane, president, League of Women Voters of Washington