Equal Rights Advocates protects and expands access to economic and educational opportunities for women and girls, focusing on low income communities of color and including gender-expansive workers and students. ERA provides direct legal services and representation, conducts community research, and leads collaborative community impact initiatives that translate community needs into bold policy reforms. With a diverse team of staff from communities most impacted by inequities, ERA coordinates hundreds of local community groups across the nation to inform and support each other, pool resources, and work together to influence local, state and federal agendas. These community groups and leaders are directing ERA steering committees, and also serving as media spokespeople and representatives with policy makers and other key stakeholders. ERA system reform targets are informed by community listening and bolstered by storytelling that is changing narratives harmful to progress. This community-fueled power has led to 100+ groundbreaking policy reforms and economic security wins now benefiting millions of families. These reforms include successfully challenging harassment and violence at work and at school, expanding access to paid leave, removing barriers to pay equity, and increasing wages for low-income workers. ERA defends community rights, from the smallest county courthouses and legislative bodies all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court and United State Congress, as we build support to advance and enforce laws and policies that are critical to economic justice for all.
