A Group of Women

A Group of Women was an American feminist organization in the 1980s that committed a series of actions in support of the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment. Sonia Johnson was a notable member of this organization that advocated for the use of civil disobedience to raise awareness about the need for the ERA.^[1]

Sonia Johnson

Nonviolent actions

Formerly known as the Congressional Union after the suffrage group, A Group of Women advocated for militant actions on behalf of the ERA. They were affiliated with protests including spilling fake blood in front of the National Archives in Washington, D.C.^[2] Maureen Fiedler, a Roman Catholic nun, was arrested as this protest.^[2] The group drew a significant amount of attention when they blocked traffic in front of the National Archives.^[3] Women affiliated with this group held a sign at the protest that read, "Honor Thy Mother. Put Her in the Constitution."^[4]

Members

Sonia Johnson, Sister Maureen Fiedler and Mary Ann Beall were all affiliated with A Group of Women.^[5] The Des Moines Register reported Johnson was a leader of the organization.^[2] Leslie Stewart from Boca Raton, Florida was also a member. She featured prominently in a photo that ran in the Arizona Republic in July 1982, and in an article in the South Florida Sun in April 1983.^[6][7]

See also

• Berenice Carroll
• Day of Rebellion for the ERA
• Grassroots Group for Second Class Citizens
• Georgia Fuller
• Mormons for ERA