Document 37: Unofficial transcript of statement by the Honorable Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt, in the Commission on Human Rights, on Discrimination, United States Mission to the United Nations, 20 May 1952, Florence Ledyard Cross Kitchelt Papers, 1885-1961, A-61, Box 8, Folder 219, Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.

Documents selected and interpreted by Danelle Moon and Kathryn Kish Sklar
Document 37: Unofficial transcript of statement by the Honorable Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt, in the Commission on Human Rights, on Discrimination, United States Mission to the United Nations, 20 May 1952, Florence Ledyard Cross Kitchelt Papers, 1885-1961, A-61, Box 8, Folder 219, Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass. Included in How Did Florence Kitchelt Bring Together Social Feminists and Equal Rights Feminists to Reconfigure the Campaign for the ERA in the 1940s and 50s?, Documents selected and interpreted by Danelle Moon and Kathryn Kish Sklar. (Alexandria, VA: Alexander Street Press, 2010).
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Introduction

   Almost certainly influenced by Alice Hamilton's example, Eleanor Roosevelt declared that she did not oppose the ERA "because I do not think it matters any more." The withdrawal of Roosevelt's opposition was a capstone to Kitchelt's long campaign.

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Unnoficial Transcript

UNITED STATES MISSION
TO THE UNITED NATIONS

May 20, 1952

STATEMENT BY THE HONORABLE MRS. FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT,
IN THE COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS, ON DISCRIMINATION

Mr. Chairman:

    I was opposed for a number of years to the passage of an equal rights amendment to the Constitution because during a number of years I felt that to wipe out all protective legislation in industry for women would be a very dangerous thing to do, and an amendment of that type would have had that effect.

    For some years I have not opposed the passage of an equal rights amendment because I do not think it matters any more. Women in my country are now quite able to organize in the trade union field and to protect themselves. That does not mean that I think women have equality with men in my country. I speak primarily for my country because I do not know the conditions in every other country.



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