Today I had the opportunity to attend the Equal Rights Advocates (ERA) 35th Anniversary Luncheon and to hear Donna Brazile speak. I was thrilled to learn about the work they are doing to advance civil rights.

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.

ERAs litigation work has secured the rights of women to equal opportunity. Even when legislation is passed, cases must be brought in order to ensure that rights afforded by legislation are enforced. In other cases, litigation leads to greater protection under the law when legislators receive a wake up call. Cases ERA has supported include Dukes v. Wal-Mart which claims that Wal-Mart discriminates against its female employees with lower pay and fewer opportunities for advancement than for its male employees.

The annual ERA luncheon is the major fund raising event for the organization. Pam Moore, who is a much admired, award-winning, local television journalist, returned to host this year's luncheon (and I'll admit I was a bit of a fangirl when she sat at our table in-between her emcee duties and I was able to tell her that I am a fan of her work and that her shoes were fabulous).

Pam Moore introduced the afternoon's keynote speaker, author, activist, political consultant and commentator Donna Brazile. Ms. Brazile's address was warm, funny and forceful. She shared personal stories, such as her experience as one of the first women to receive a college athletic scholarship post Title IX and of her disappointment and reminder of why we must remain vigilant while recently watching her home state of Louisiana's state legislature debate and defeat by a large margin legislation for paycheck fairness and in support of the Equal Rights Amendment. She also shared some of her personal rules for appearing as a political commentator on television: she doesn't allow herself to be put in a race or gender box and makes it clear that she can talk about fights, wars and peace if it ever breaks out. Also, she does not appear unless she is paid the same as James Carville, Bill Bennett or any of the other boys! I appreciated that she made clear in her remarks that the fight for women's rights and equality is part and parcel of the struggle for civil rights for all people.

Donna Brazile called us to action prefaced with a story about Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi. The Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act is not enough and we also need the Paycheck Fairness Act. It passed the house because Nancy Pelosi is tough even though tough people (i.e. strong women) don't always get the same love as do calm, tender people. However, the act sits in the Senate with only 30 co-sponsors. Leaders have said they won't bring it to the floor for a vote until there are 60, Brazile told us and then urged us to write our Senators and tell them we want them to support this legislation.

I left the luncheon excited to have learned of ERA, their work and successes and feeling energized to take action. I encourage readers to learn more about the organization, how you can support their work (including making a donation if you are able and so moved) and how you can become an advocate for civil rights for women and all.

Related Links:

Elisa Batista of MotherTalkers.com and Daily Kos Donna Brazile: Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act Not Enough

Pat Lynch, CEO and Editor in Chief of WomensRadio live streamed audio of the event which was recorded and will be available for playback later. She also previously interviewed outgoing ERA Executive Director, Irma Herrera. Ms. Herrera spoke at the luncheon and her tireless advocacy on behalf of ERA was evident.

ERA's victory yesterday supporting a student-initiated, Title IX class-action discrimination lawsuit.

Three students who filed a class-action lawsuit against the University of California, Davis, claiming the university provided insufficient opportunities for female athletes, have agreed to settle their case, UC Davis officials announced Wednesday.

The settlement, which is still subject to a judge's approval, will provide more opportunities for women at UC Davis to play intercollegiate sports, including the creation of a varsity field-hockey team for women this year.

"I know so many excited women who are going to be able to participate, so I'm really happy for them," said plaintiff Kelsey Brust, a 21-year-old student majoring in animal science who has played field hockey at the club level.

BlogHer CE Maria Niles also blogs and advocates at PopConsumer.