Kathy Spillar and the Fight for Equal Rights

On Monday, October 14th, an energized and diverse crowd gathered at the Coral Casino for a powerful event, Feminist Equali-tea, highlighting the unrelenting fight for gender equality and reproductive rights. The event was organized and hosted by Stacy Pulice, who had re-encountered Kathy Spillar, editor of Ms. Magazine and Executive Director of the Feminist Majority Foundation, at the Giving List Women summit. Pulice had Spillar on as her very first guest for Pulice’s revamped podcast, Regnerative Mindset. After the two reconnected, they began planning this event with Natalie Orfalea joining along the way.

Spillar delivered a keynote that struck at the heart of the current struggle for equality in the U.S. With the pivotal 2025 election on the horizon, her message was clear: The fight for women’s rights is still ongoing, and the stakes have never been higher. What happens next will shape the future of gender equality in this country – now is the time to act.

As Spillar took the stage, the gravity of the discussion was clear; this wasn’t just about one policy or one issue, it was about the very fabric of our democracy. Ms. Spillar emphasized the importance of education in driving social change and explained the role of the Feminist Majority Foundation in advocating for women’s rights across all facets of life. The foundation, established in 1987, has been pivotal in its work for gender equality, pushing for legislative changes, organizing grassroots movements, and ensuring women’s voices are heard.

A central theme of the event was the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), a long-sought piece of legislation that promises to enshrine gender equality in the U.S. Constitution. Despite the ERA having been ratified by the necessary number of states, political roadblocks have kept it from being fully implemented. Spillar reminded the audience that the ERA is not merely symbolic – it is a tool for ensuring that women and men receive equal protection under the law in critical areas such as employment, education, and healthcare. Its passage would be a monumental victory for women’s rights and for society as a whole.

Reproductive rights, particularly abortion access, were another focal point of the event. Spillar addressed the current wave of anti-democratic legislation sweeping across the country, with 22 states already implementing some form of abortion ban. Many of these laws are the result of coordinated efforts by Republican governors and lawmakers determined to dismantle reproductive rights. If measures like Project 2025 succeed, they would not only outlaw abortion but also limit access to IVF, contraception, and other essential reproductive healthcare services. Spillar stressed the devastating social and economic consequences of such actions, particularly for low-income women and marginalized communities.

Tragically, these restrictive laws are already having fatal consequences. Reports confirm that at least two women in Georgia, both mothers who left behind children, have already died after being denied timely access to legal abortions and critical medical care. Their deaths are not just isolated incidents, but part of a growing national crisis where women’s lives are being sacrificed due to political decisions. The consequences of these restrictive laws are clear, in that they not only impact the autonomy of women but put their lives in immediate danger.

The stakes of the upcoming 2025 election were made clear, that reproductive rights, economic stability, and healthcare are all on the line. Voting isn’t just about protecting individual freedoms – it’s about safeguarding the future for our daughters, wives, elderly mothers, and the health of our country. Young voters, especially, must be aware of how much their vote matters. Recent polling shows that 70% of young women, and over half of young men, plan to vote in the 2025 election, driven in large part by the issue of abortion access. This is not just a women’s issue; it’s a human issue that affects families, communities, and the very structure of society.

One of the most urgent challenges discussed during the event was the Supreme Court’s current makeup. Dominated by originalists, justices who strictly interpret the Constitution based on its original meaning and intent, the Court is a significant barrier to progress on gender equality. These justices often refuse to take into account the societal and technological advancements of today, putting critical rights such as those secured under Title VII and Title IX at risk. Spillar highlighted the need for legislative action to pass the ERA, which would solidify protections for women, and ensure equal rights for all under the Constitution.

Throughout the event, Spillar and other speakers underscored the urgent need for collective action. Spillar cited staggering statistics, such as the fact that less than 2% of philanthropic funding goes towards women and girls, despite overwhelming evidence that investing in women creates the most significant social change. The era of passive observation is over, and it is time that we act individually, and as a collective, and protect fundamental rights.

Abortion rights are not just a progressive issue – they are a human issue, affecting gender equality, poverty, and the nation’s economic future. Despite what some media portray, abortion consistently ranks as the top concern among voters, particularly younger generations, when they are directly asked about their voting motivations. States like Florida, New York, Nevada, and Arizona will have reproductive rights on the ballot, making it critical for voters to understand the stakes involved.

The ERA’s ratification has been long overdue. While the necessary 38th state to pass the amendment was secured during the Trump administration, political interference prevented the archivist from adding the ERA as the 28th amendment. Now, it will require an act of Congress to ensure that equal rights are enshrined in the Constitution. This is a fight that must be won. Gender equality is not just good for women, it’s good for men, for families, and for society as a whole.

As we move forward, we must continue to advocate, organize, and most importantly we must vote. The stakes are simply too high to sit on the sidelines.