Thank you to Violet Gerber for her letter to the editor (“Equal rights amendment should pass,” April 7) reminding us that the state Legislature needs to return to the work of passing the Equal Rights Amendment in Maine.

I too am a woman of a certain age and remember marching for the Equal Rights Amendment some long years ago. I was surprised to discover that Maine does not already have this amendment in our state Constitution.

Even though some legislators do not support the Equal Rights Amendment, the need for the ERA has remained constant over the last 50 years.

The Cutler Institute of Health and Social Policy recently published the “Economic Security of Older Women in Maine: Data Report.” This study clearly states that older women in Maine are more likely to live in poverty than older men due to the wage gap between women and men. This study demonstrates that even though some progress has been made, there is still a current need for the Maine Legislature to pass the Equal Rights Amendment.

I wonder why some legislators feel that it is acceptable to allow their mothers, sisters, and daughters to grow up, work hard, and still be at greater risk of spending their golden years in poverty.

Everyone should contact their legislators and encourage them to put the Equal Rights Amendment on the ballot, in order to bring it forward for a vote from the people of Maine.

Joyce Bucciantini, Greene

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