Patricia Arquette: ‘In 1787 Women Were Left out of the Constitution Intentionally’

EXCERPT:

ARQUETTE: "I come here not as a constitutional lawyer but as a citizen, as an American woman, to advocate for what I feel is critical for our country. I come with the good will and the faith that when we examine the reality of women in America today and remember the historic injustices women have faced in our country, we will all feel compelled to do what we must to ensure that women are afforded every legal right and equal protection in our country. Women have waited 232 years to be enshrined as full and equal citizens. Why? Because in 1787 women were left out of the Constitution intentionally. While the Constitution says nothing about deadlines for amendments Congress put a deadline on the Equal Rights Amendment when it was passed in 1972. I am here to appeal to you to remove the 1982 deadline placed on Congress for the ratification of the ERA. Just because women didn't achieve fully quality in America by 1978 or by 1982 doesn't mean they shouldn't have it today."