Women’s Declaration of Independence- Short Version

(2-Minute Public Reading) 

When, in the course of human events,

it becomes necessary for one-half of the people

to call a nation back to its own truths,

we declare the causes which compel us to speak.

We hold these truths to be self-evident:

that all persons are created equal;

that women are persons;

and that government exists to secure these truths—

not to delay or deny them.

The words “Equal Justice Under Law” are carved in stone.

Yet they have never applied fully to women,

because women have never had full legal equality

under the United States Constitution.

Although the Fourteenth Amendment promised equal protection,

it has never been applied equally to women.

And although the Equal Rights Amendment—

ratified in 2020—establishes equality,

it has not been implemented.

“Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged

by the United States or by any State on account of sex.”

Women bring forth life,

sustain families,

serve their communities

and defend this nation.

To deny them constitutional equality

is to deny their dignity, humanity and rights.

Yet courts apply a lesser standard—

Intermediate Scrutiny—

to laws that discriminate on the basis of sex,

allowing inequality to continue.

The highest standard, Strict Scrutiny,

remains unavailable to women.

As a result women are denied economic equality, 

equal protection under the law and security

against violence and exploitation.

These injustices are not accidental—

they are legally authorized.

We declare:

women are equal citizens of this Republic.

Equality must be clear in law

and in its enforcement.

We call upon the people to demand:

the full implementation and enforcement

of the Equal Rights Amendment—

by all courts,

and all government officials.

A nation that treats women unequally

cannot be a democracy.

Therefore, we declare:

the Equal Rights Amendment is part of the Constitution.

It is the law.

Women will no longer accept inequality.

We demand equality now—

nothing more, nothing less.

In the spirit of 1776, the Declaration of Sentiments of 1848 and the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment in 2020,

The Women's Declaration of Independence was proclaimed in 2026 by the National ERA Publication Task Force.

Share your celebration online using:  #UntilWomenAreEqual

UntilWomenAreEqual.org

NationalERAPublicationTaskForce.org