In this episode of pplpod, we explore the life and legacy of Phyllis Schlafly, the polarizing attorney, author, and activist who became a driving force in American conservatism. From her early days campaigning for Barry Goldwater with her self-published phenomenon A Choice Not an Echo, to her final political act of endorsing Donald Trump in 2016, Schlafly remained a staunch defender of "family values" and a fierce opponent of the feminist movement.
Join us as we discuss:
• The Battle Against the ERA: How Schlafly organized the "STOP ERA" campaign to successfully defeat the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment,. We look at her arguments that the amendment would strip women of "privileges" like exemption from the military draft and Social Security benefits for dependent wives,.
• The Eagle Forum: Her founding of the conservative interest group she led until her death.
• Social Viewpoints: Schlafly’s controversial stances against abortion, same-sex marriage, and the gender pay gap, asserting that a "dependent wife" performs society's most necessary role,,.
• Family & Controversy: The complexities of her personal life, including her son John, who was outed as gay yet supported his mother’s opposition to same-sex marriage.
• Pop Culture Legacy: Her recent portrayal by Cate Blanchett in the FX miniseries Mrs. America and references in The Handmaid’s Tale sequel.
Tune in to hear how a mother of six from St. Louis mobilized a grassroots movement that pushed the Republican Party to the right and left an indelible mark on American politics,.
