About ERA

Equal Rights Advocates is fighting for women

Equal Rights Advocates has led the legal fight for women’s equality for more than 30 years. Since 1974, ERA’s mission has been to protect and secure equal rights and economic opportunities for women and girls through litigation and advocacy.

Equal Opportunity
ERA works to eradicate illegal discriminatory practices that deny women advancement opportunities, equal compensation, and access to certain occupations.

Respectful and Safe Treatment
ERA demands that employers provide women with a work environment that is free of sexual harassment and in compliance with health and safety laws.

Work and Family Balance
ERA enforces family and medical leave and pregnancy protection laws, and is active in the effort to establish paid family and medical leave.

For more information about ERA:

Staff Directory Board of Directors
Jobs / Clerkships NCLR, an ERA Spin Off
Historical Highlights Landmark Cases


A History of Success

Our successful use of impact litigation has brought an end to many systematic discriminatory practices and policies.

2000—Mao v. Top Line Electronics and Lite-On:
Won legal protection for immigrant workers assembling electronics parts at home for piece rates

1999—Pallas v. Pacific Bell:
Recovered $25 million in pension benefits for over 10,000 women who faced pregnancy discrimination

1997—Doe v. Petaluma:
Established students’ right to be free of peer sexual harassment

1987—Davis v. City and County of San Francisco:
Opened doors for female firefighters in the San Francisco Fire Department

1984—Kouba v. Allstate Insurance Company:
Secured equal pay for female employees in the insurance industry

1981- Bernardi v. U.S. Department of Agriculture:
Dismantled gender discrimination in the U.S. forest service

1975—Love v. California Youth Soccer Association:
Established girls’ right to play in competitive soccer leagues



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