<p>The Family Health Law and Policy Institute at Widener University Delaware Law School is partnering with <a href="http://www.delawareeranow.org/">Delaware ERA<em>Now</em></a>, a First State nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to passage of the Equal Rights Amendment.<br /><br /><a href="ipl://20//WyIyOSJd">Professor Erin Daly</a> and <a href="ipl://20//WyIxMTgiXQ==">Distinguished Professor Alicia Kelly</a> have taken seats on the Delaware ERA<em>Now</em> steering committee, and the school&rsquo;s student-run Women&rsquo;s Law Caucus will also serve as a liaison organization. Kelly is faculty advisor to the student organization.<br /><br />The institute will contribute intellectual leadership and public service to the Delaware ERA<em>Now</em> efforts, by serving as a resource on matters of law and policy and assisting in the group&rsquo;s public education and advocacy work. The Women&rsquo;s Law Caucus will also provide enthusiastic ground-level support, including engagement in public dialogue on the status and legal treatment of women.<br /><br />Founded by retired Delaware State Chamber of Commerce President and Chief Executive Officer Suzanne Moore, Delaware ERA<em>Now</em> is working to achieve equality between women and men under the law through awareness, passage and ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment. Although many people believe men and women have equal rights under the U.S. and Delaware Constitutions, neither fully protects against sex discrimination. Members of Congress have introduced an amendment to the U.S. Constitution in every congressional session since 1923, and it passed in 1972. That amendment had 10 years &ndash; until 1982 &ndash; to be ratified by 38 states. It failed to become federal law, however, when only 35 states &ndash; including Delaware &ndash; ratified it by the deadline.<br /><br />Daly and Kelly said there is renewed national interest in an ERA and as Delaware supporters organize, it was a civic engagement opportunity that appealed to institute students and faculty. <a href="ipl://105//W10=">The institute</a> launched during the 2014-15 academic year. Kelly is a co-director.&nbsp;<br /><br />&ldquo;The institute was designed to serve as a collaborative think tank and reform and service organization, through innovative scholarship and real-world relevance,&rdquo; Kelly said. &ldquo;It focuses on relationships between families, law and policy. Sharing our expertise in community efforts to achieve equality between men and women under the law is a natural fit.&rdquo;&nbsp;<br /><br />Daly agreed. &ldquo;This is a fantastic opportunity to harness the resources of the institute and to use our own legal expertise in a way that will improve public policy throughout the nation. This cause is about improving the quality of life for women and men in the United States and it is exciting to contribute to this important initiative,&rdquo; she said.&nbsp;<br /><br />Moore, who also has served as president of the Delaware Public Policy Institute, said DelawareERA<em>Now</em>, formed in September, has a growing membership of about 80 men and women. The Family Health Law and Policy Institute is one of nine organizations to partner with the nonprofit. More are expected. &nbsp;<br /><br />&ldquo;It really is time to get this amendment done, and Delaware Law School is the best partner we could have,&rdquo; she said.<br /><br />Widener University is a metropolitan university that connects curricula to social issues through civic engagement. Dynamic teaching, active scholarship, personal attention, applied leadership, and experiential learning are key components of the Widener experience.&nbsp; Its Delaware Law School is the First State&rsquo;s only law school, providing juris doctor, legal graduate and paralegal degree programs with an emphasis on developing legal professionals who reflect the Delaware Way and its traditions of civility, integrity and mutual respect. The school offers signature programs in corporate and business law, environmental law, family health law and policy, and trial advocacy. Widener University is proud to be tobacco free. Visit <a href="{staticroot}">delawarelaw.widener.edu</a> for more information.</p>
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