A Group of Women was an American feminist organization in the 1980s that committed a series of actions in support of the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment. Sonia Johnson was a notable member of this organization that advocated for the use of civil disobedience to raise awareness about the need for the ERA. [1]
Formerly known as the Congressional Union after the suffrage group, A Group of Women advocated for militant actions on behalf of the ERA. They were affiliated with protests including spilling fake blood in front of the National Archives in Washington, D.C. [2] Maureen Fiedler, a Roman Catholic nun, was arrested as this protest. [2] The group drew a significant amount of attention when they blocked traffic in front of the National Archives. [3] Women affiliated with this group held a sign at the protest that read, "Honor Thy Mother. Put Her in the Constitution." [4]
Sonia Johnson, Sister Maureen Fiedler and Mary Ann Beall were all affiliated with A Group of Women. [5] The Des Moines Register reported Johnson was a leader of the organization. [2] Leslie Stewart from Boca Raton, Florida was also a member. She featured prominently in a photo that ran in the Arizona Republic in July 1982, and in an article in the South Florida Sun in April 1983. [6] [7]