Phyllis Schlafly, a reactionary whose views are the foundation for some of the modern principles the Republican party utilizes, died on Monday at the age of 92.
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Schlafly often debated feminist leader Betty Friedan, who called her “a traitor to her sex” and said she’d like to burn her at the stake. What I heard and saw could fill volumes but one thing came through over and over in all she said and did: she loved people. Phyllis Schlafly has spent much of her life and the majority of her foray into politics speaking out about liberalism and, more specifically, feminists. Jean Kirkpatrick’s speech at the Republican National Convention in 1984 (until Reagan she had been a Humphrey Democrat) was a tour de force: The “San Francisco Democrats”, she reminded the delegates, “always blame America first”. And also later helped the lead opposition to the ERA, a proposed constitutional amendment that would guarantee equal rights under the law regardless of gender. Her parents were Republican but not politically involved.
Rest in peace, Phyllis Schlafly. In 1978 she graduated from Washington University’s law school.
In addition, Kelly notes, Schlafly questioned whether there could be such a thing as spousal rape, advocated for women to not work outside the home and took other stances on issues that Kelly said were damaging to women.
Phyllis Stewart was born August 15, 1924, in St. Louis and grew up in a home she described as Republican but not activist. “I have little doubt that the political and cultural landscape of America today would have long ago been devoid of true conservatism if not for her leadership”.
“America has lost a great stateswoman, and we at Eagle Forum and among the conservative movement have lost a beloved friend and mentor, who taught and inspired so many to fight the good fight in defense of American values”, Eagle Forum First Vice President Eunie Smith in a statement.
Schlafly said she tirelessly fought against the proposed Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution on the grounds that women were already fully protected and that the amendment would erode women’s standing, leading to homosexual marriages, women in combat, government-funded abortions and loss of alimony. Her death was confirmed by the Eagle Forum, the Missouri-based advocacy organization she led. “Mrs. Schlafly was preceded in death by her beloved husband Fred and is survived by six children along with 16 grand and 3 great grandchildren”.
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Concerned by the communist threat posed by the Soviet Union, she was among the earliest and most enthusiastic supporters of Arizona Sen.
