Activists Champion ERA at LWV Equality Walk

Caption:Treasurer of the League of Women Voters of Cattaraugus and Allegany Counties Jean-Francois Godet-Calogeras and Athena Godet-Calogeras lead the walk for equality, holding an Equal Rights Amendment sign.

Credits:Delaney Chase

OLEAN, NY — Bad weather does not stand in the way of action.

The League of Women Voters of Cattaraugus and Allegany Counties proved this point on Saturday during their Walk for Equality.

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In winter coats, hats and gloves, league members and other attendees trudged slowly over icy sidewalks along North Union Street from the Cattaraugus County Campus of Jamestown Community College across East State Street to Lincoln Park.

Although they walked cautiously, they also walked with purpose, holding up signs showing their support for the passage of the New York State Equal Rights Amendment and chanting “Vote yes for ERA.”

Leading the chant with her megaphone was LWV of Cattaraugus and Allegany Counties Secretary Sharon Turano.

“I think that this amendment really draws attention to discrimination, and it seeks to prevent that,” Turano said.

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Turano also believes the amendment has greatly expanded from its original form.

“It was a women’s rights issue, but I think now it’s intersectional and a human rights issue,” Turano said.

After the walk, participants gathered in Lincoln Park and speeches were given by members of the LWV of Cattaraugus and Allegany Counties, including Vice President Vicki Cocca.

“The league was very excited about the ERA, and we want to do everything we can to ensure its passage as an amendment to our state constitution,” Cocca said.

The Equal Rights Amendment, approved by Congress in 1972, reads:

“Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex. The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.”

Pamphlets handed out at the event state: “Fifty-two years later, it is still stalled in Congress for procedural reasons 22 individual states have added it to their own state constitutions and 4 more are in process – It’s time for NYS in November 2024!”

Cocca said she hopes the Walk for Equality is able to make people aware and get people excited.

Snacks and beverages were offered after the walk. The league also had a voter registration table.

Event speakers stressed that Saturday's Walk for Equity is just the beginning of efforts to call attention to the amendment on the ballot. More than seven months remain before the vote in November.

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