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'First Lady of Anti-Feminism,' Phyllis Schlafly, Dies at 92

by VOA News

   Phyllis Schlafly, the conservative activist who almost single-handedly
   helped defeat the proposed Equal Rights Amendment in the 1970s and
   pushed the Republican Party to the right in ensuing decades, has died.
   She was 92.

   Schlafly died Monday of cancer at her home in St. Louis, her son John
   Schlafly said.

   Known as "the first lady of anti-feminism," Schlafly rose to national
   attention in 1964 with her self-published book, "A Choice Not an Echo,"
   that became a manifesto for the far right. The book, which sold 3
   million copies, chronicled the history of the Republican National
   Convention and is credited with helping conservative Senator Barry
   Goldwater of Arizona win the 1964 GOP nomination.

   She later helped lead opposition to the ERA, a proposed constitutional
   amendment that would guarantee equal rights under the law regardless of
   gender. Schlafly argued that the measure would mean the end of the
   traditional family.

   Supporters of the measure argued it would require that laws determining
   child support and job opportunities be designed without regard to
   gender.

   Schlafly told the Associated Press in 2007 that perhaps her greatest
   legacy was the Eagle Forum, which she founded in 1972. The
   ultraconservative group has chapters in several states and claims
   80,000 members. "I've taught literally millions of people how to
   participate in self-government,'' Schlafly said.

   The Eagle Forum pushes for low taxes, a strong military and
   English-only education. The group is against efforts it says are pushed
   by radical feminists or encroach on U.S. sovereignty, such as guest
   worker visas. The group's website describes the Equal Rights Amendment
   as having had a "hidden agenda of tax-funded abortions and same-sex
   marriages.''

   Saint Louis University history professor Donald Critchlow, who profiled
   Schlafly in his 2005 book, "Phyllis Schlafly and Grassroots
   Conservatism: A Woman's Crusade," said the defeat of the amendment
   helped revive conservatism and pave the way for Ronald Reagan's
   election in 1980.

   Schlafly remained active in conservative politics well into her 80s,
   when she was still writing a column that appeared in 100 newspapers,
   doing radio commentaries on more than 460 stations, and publishing a
   monthly newsletter.