(New York, April 15) — New York Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-Manhattan), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, announced at Roosevelt House today that he would hold hearings on reviving the long-dormant Equal Rights Amendment, on April 30 in Washington. These will be the first Congressional hearings on the ERA in more than three decades.

Nadler made the announcement at the opening of the third annual Campus ERA-Day conference at the Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute, part of Hunter College. The multi-campus event, linked through the Internet, was organized by Hunter students in the Grove Fellowship Program, together with the ERA Coalition, an advocacy organization working for constitutional equality.

Jessica Neuwirth, the Rita Hauser Director OF the Human Rights program at Roosevelt House initiated this event in 2017 as a Grove Fellowship Leader. Broadcaster Carole Jenkins moderated the evening program, which also featured Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-Manhattan), a longtime champion of reviving the ERA, and Heidi Shreck, of the acclaimed Broadway play “What the Constitution Means to Me.” Also joining the event by video were state legislators Pat Spearman from Nevada, Jennifer Claire Foy from Virginia, and Oscar winning actress Patricia Arquette, all of whom spoke passionately in support of the ERA. The event was joined by 21 campuses in 14 states across the country and was live-streamed on Facebook Live.

Earlier in the day, Nadler spent an hour and a half at Roosevelt House in conversation with students, faculty, and the general public on his committee’s agenda for oversight and legislative action in the coming months. After the public program, he was guest of honor at a special lunch discussion for students of the Roosevelt Public Policy Program.

Congressman Jerrold Nadler (center) with Roosevelt House Advisory Board members Elbrun Kimmelman (L) and Tony Stepanski, join Director Harold Holzer (R) following Mr. Nadler’s presentation at Roosevelt House on April 15. (Photo: Matt Capowski)