Document 17: Iowa Women's Equality Campaign, Radio Advertisement, 1992. Folder: Media Coverage: TV and Radio ad scripts, 1992, Box 1, ERA Iowa 1992 Collection, Iowa Women's Archives, University of Iowa.

Document 17: Iowa Women's Equality Campaign, Radio Advertisement, 1992. Folder: Media Coverage: TV and Radio ad scripts, 1992, Box 1, ERA Iowa 1992 Collection, Iowa Women's Archives, University of Iowa.

Introduction

       Abigail Van Buren, a widely-circulated advice columnist, was paid to read this thirty-second radio advertisement in 1992. Like most of the pro-ERA campaign advertisements this commercial highlighted the aim of opponents to "mislead" the public as to what the ERA would achieve. Utilizing both her celebrity and her personal attachment to Iowa, Abigail Van Buren helped usher the amendment to a wider audience and legitimize the Iowa campaign. Although the commercial was brief she addressed the attacks of ERA opponents and attempted to connect with Iowa voters on a personal level.

       I'm Abigail Van Buren. You know me from my column, Dear Abby. And I have a personal message for Iowa voters. You have an opportunity on election day to pass Amendment 1 and add women to the Iowa Constitution. Opponents of Amendment 1 are trying to mislead you. Well, I was born and raised in Iowa, and I can tell you what Amendment 1 really means -- equality. So here's Dear Abby's advice -- on November 3, vote YES on 1. Vote for equality for women and men.

Paid for by the Iowa Women's Equality Campaign.