Jazz funeral for the ERA

A jazz funeral for the Equal Rights Amendment took place in the city of New Orleans on July 3, 1982.[1] The event was a public mourning for the failure of the proposed Amendment to pass the required 38 states before the congressionally imposed 1982 deadline.[2][3]

ERA history in New Orleans

The National Organization for Women hosted a walk in 1981 promoting the passage of the ERA.[3] This event was hosted by the New Orleans ERA Task Force.[3]

Overview of the event

Jazz funerals have a long history in the city of New Orleans.[4] The jazz funeral for the ERA took place one week after the proposed amendment did not pass the required 38 states before the deadline imposed by Congress.[5] It was known as "A New Day Jazz Funeral."[6] The funeral went through the French Quarter.[7] The funeral procession lasted for one hour followed by two hours of speeches.[8] Participants walked by many notable restaurants in New Orleans including Arnaud's Restaurant, The Royal Sonesta Hotel, and the Old Absinth House while musicians played "When the Saints Go Marching In."[1][9] Numerous boys were photographed participating in this march which was mostly attended by women.[2] The funeral procession ended in Jackson Square.[10] Sue Laporte performed an original song at the end of the procession in front of ERA supporters in Jackson Square.[6]

It was estimated that 500 people attended this march.[11] Many of the marchers dressed in white as suffragists.[11] When asked to describe the purpose of the march Pat Denton,[12] chairwoman of Louisiana's women's political caucus, state, "The tradition of a jazz funeral is that although there is a loss, life goes on and with renewed hope."[13]

Organizations involved

The National Organization for Women sponsored the march and the Baton Rouge National Women's Political Caucus participated as did the Louisiana Lesbian and Gay Political Caucus (LAGPAC).[2][7]

Supporting organizations included the League of Women Voters, American Civil Liberties Union, NAACP, National Council of Jewish Women and the AFL-CIO.[11]

Participants
  • Nikki Alexander[6]
  • Pat Denton[9]
  • Leonard Doty[2]
  • Betty Godso[7]
  • Cliff Howard[2]
  • Sue Laporte[6]
  • Dru Moody[6]
  • Laura Peebles[2]
  • Virginia Peyton[6]
  • Alan Robinson[2]
  • Kathi Tomeny[14]
  • Cynthia Ware[11]

References
  1. "Newcomb College ERA Jazz Funeral, 1982 | Tulane University Digital Library". digitallibrary.tulane.edu. Retrieved 2021-12-14.
  2. "The Women Who Fought For And Against The ERA: Part II". WWNO. Retrieved 2021-12-14.
  3. "Louisiana could make history if it finally passes the ERA". NOLA.com. Retrieved 2021-12-14.
  4. "National Museum of Funeral History | Jazz Funerals of New Orleans". www.nmfh.org. Retrieved 2021-12-14.
  5. "ERA is given jazz funeral". El Paso Times. July 4, 1982. Retrieved 2021-12-14.
  6. Allured, Janet (2016-11-01). Remapping Second-Wave Feminism: The Long Women's Rights Movement in Louisiana, 1950–1997. University of Georgia Press. ISBN 978-0-8203-5004-2.
  7. "ERA: Dead but not yet buried". The Daily Advertiser. July 4, 1982. Retrieved 2021-12-14.
  8. "Jazz Funeral for ERA Held in N.O." The Town Talk. July 4, 1982. Retrieved 2021-12-14.
  9. "Jazz Funeral Memorializes ERA". Newspapers.com. July 5, 1982. Retrieved 2021-12-14.
  10. "Jazz Funeral for ERA". The Times. June 22, 1982. Retrieved 2021-12-14.
  11. "Jazz funeral buries ERA". Daily World. July 5, 1982. Retrieved 2021-12-14.
  12. "The Women Who Fought For And Against The ERA: Part I". WWNO. Retrieved 2021-12-14.
  13. "Rallies planned as ERA ratification battle ends". Rock Island Argus. June 30, 1982. Retrieved 2021-12-14.
  14. "Jazz Buries ERA, Hints at Rebirth". Bellingham Herald. July 4, 1982. Retrieved 2021-12-14.
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