“Phyllis … shot it dead”, conservative columnist Pat Buchanan wrote Monday.
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An outspoken anti-feminist, Schlafly was an advocate of conservative causes and an early supporter of the modern religious right.
Phyllis Schlafly spent an astounding 70 years in public service of her fellow Americans. While some progressives may believe their worldview will inevitably dominate American politics, Schlafly’s achievements are a cautionary tale for the self-satisfied: Just when you might have thought you won the political battle, some nice lady from IL might set her social-security card on fire on national television, and the outcome might be anyone’s guess.
Schlafly was one of the earliest and most prominent backers of Republican nominee Donald Trump during the 2016 primaries.
Her son John Schlafly says she died of cancer Monday afternoon at her home in St. Louis.
In her time, Mrs. Schlafly was one of the most polarizing figures in American public life, a self-described housewife who displayed a moral ferocity reminiscent of the ax-wielding prohibitionist Carry Nation.
She is survived by six children, 16 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.
Heritage Foundation President Jim DeMint and Heritage Founder Ed Feulner today issued the following statements on the death of Phyllis Schlafly. She also authored almost two dozen books and wrote a syndicated weekly column.
A month before we spoke, Schlafly’s endorsement undoubtedly helped Trump overcome Sen. She would go on to earn a master’s degree in government from Harvard in 1945 and was enrolled in Washington University School of Law in 1976. She was a devout Roman Catholic and leader in the anti-abortion movement, and up to the last, her blessing was eagerly sought by conservatives.
Students for Life of America President Kristan Hawkins was among the many conservative women influenced by Schlafly, and later became a close personal friend of the constitutionalist icon.
Her books included takedowns of the American judiciary, feminism and the “disastrous” policies of former U.S. Defense Secretary Robert McNamara and former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.
Schlafly’s organization has been split this presidential election – Schlafly supported Donald Trump, though many board members disagreed.
The ERA had passed both houses of Congress, and 28 of the 38 states needed to ratify the constitutional amendment were onboard when Schlafly launched her “STOP ERA” movement.
With her mother as a model, “I grew up believing that I should support myself”, Schlafly said, according to a 2006 New York Times story.
Citing Schlafly’s views about homosexuals, women and immigrants – she was an outspoken opponent of same-sex marriage, abortion rights and loosening US border restrictions – protesters said she went against the most fundamental principles for which the university stood. Before she died, the First Lady of the Conservative Movement endorsed Trump.
“First of all, I want to thank my husband, Fred, for letting me come”, she liked to announce at anti-ERA rallies.
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Schlafly graduated as a Phi Beta Kappa from Washington University.
