Women Hunger for Justice was a direct action protest in support of the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment in Illinois in 1982. [1] The fast received significant attention in the press and included the participation of Sonia Johnson, Sister Maureen Fiedler and Zoe Nicholson. [2]
The deadline set by Congress to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment was during the summer of 1982. The amendment expired on June 30 of that year so a fast was planned by seven women's rights activists to raise attention for the need for the Illinois state legislature to pass the amendment. [3]
The fast began on May 18, 1982. [4] During the fast there was both taunting by onlookers and concern in the press for the health of the women who participated. [3] Comedian Dick Gregory came by to visit the women for three days and participated in the fast. [3] The fasters were quoted in the press as saying they were symbolic of the "suffering of women that has remained invisible." [5] Documents and images of the fast are held in the archives at Smith College and the Schlesinger Library. [6] [7]
Sr. Maureen Fiedler, a Roman Catholic nun, received a great deal of attention in the press for her participation in the fast. [2] She called the fast a "religious witness." [2]
Gloria Steinem paid for a van, known as the "Gloriamobile" to transport the women during the fast. [8]
The National Organization for Women paid for rooms for the fasters at a Ramada Inn. [8]
Sonia Johnson [1] was very sick during the fast and collapsed on two different occasions. [8] At times she was unable to walk without assistance. [3] Johnson's supporters were worried she was willing to die in support of the ERA. [3]
Eight women [9] ultimately participated in the Women Hunger for Justice fast. [4] Zoe Nicholson wrote a book about her participation in the fast titled A Hungry Heart: A Woman's Fast for Justice. [10] Women who participated in the fast included
Women Hunger for Justice was a direct action protest in support of the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment in Illinois in 1982. [1] The fast received significant attention in the press and included the participation of Sonia Johnson, Sister Maureen Fiedler and Zoe Nicholson. [2]
The deadline set by Congress to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment was during the summer of 1982. The amendment expired on June 30 of that year so a fast was planned by seven women's rights activists to raise attention for the need for the Illinois state legislature to pass the amendment. [3]
The fast began on May 18, 1982. [4] During the fast there was both taunting by onlookers and concern in the press for the health of the women who participated. [3] Comedian Dick Gregory came by to visit the women for three days and participated in the fast. [3] The fasters were quoted in the press as saying they were symbolic of the "suffering of women that has remained invisible." [5] Documents and images of the fast are held in the archives at Smith College and the Schlesinger Library. [6] [7]
Sr. Maureen Fiedler, a Roman Catholic nun, received a great deal of attention in the press for her participation in the fast. [2] She called the fast a "religious witness." [2]
Gloria Steinem paid for a van, known as the "Gloriamobile" to transport the women during the fast. [8]
The National Organization for Women paid for rooms for the fasters at a Ramada Inn. [8]
Sonia Johnson [1] was very sick during the fast and collapsed on two different occasions. [8] At times she was unable to walk without assistance. [3] Johnson's supporters were worried she was willing to die in support of the ERA. [3]
Eight women [9] ultimately participated in the Women Hunger for Justice fast. [4] Zoe Nicholson wrote a book about her participation in the fast titled A Hungry Heart: A Woman's Fast for Justice. [10] Women who participated in the fast included