Equal Rights Amendment to be reintroduced for 2020 General Assembly; Del. Ayala is Chief Co-Patron

Prince William County Del. Hala Ayala (HD-51) of Lake Ridge announced Nov. 21 that for the second legislative session in a row, she will serve as Chief Co-Patron on the bill to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment.

Along with Del. Jennifer Carroll-Foy, Ayala was Chief Co-Patron on the Equal Rights Amendment in the 2019 Legislative Session. The delegate also was Chief Patron on a Rules Change that would have forced a floor vote on the Amendment.

Del. Ayala was quoted as saying in a news release, “As elected officials we have a moral obligation to listen to our constituents and let their voices be heard.” She added, “Now is not the moment to shy away from correcting the historical exclusion of women and girls from our Constitution. No more lip service, no more empty promises. Respect will be shown when we gain equality in the Constitution.”

The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) is a provision that would guarantee women protection under the law. Congress initially passed the ERA in 1972 but the deadline for state ratification has since expired. Virginia is now the 38th and final state needed to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment.

Delegate Hala Ayala was re-elected to her second term in the House of Delegates Nov. 5. She is a cybersecurity expert and has been a resident of Prince William County for 35+ years.