SMNTY Classics: The Ghost of Phyllis Schlafly

The 'SMNTY Classics: The Ghost of Phyllis Schlafly' episode delves into the legacy of Phyllis Schlafly, a polarizing figure in American politics, particularly known for her staunch opposition to the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). The hosts trace Schlafly's life from her early experiences of financial struggle during the Great Depression, which shaped her conservative views and her resolve to be self-reliant. Schlafly's political awakening began with her work in the munitions plant during World War II and her subsequent education at Radcliffe College. Despite facing sexism, she refused to acknowledge it, instead attributing her success to her own hard work and determination.

Schlafly's political career gained momentum with her support for Barry Goldwater in the 1964 presidential election, where she authored the influential conservative manifesto 'A Choice Not an Echo.' Despite her political activism, Schlafly maintained a public image as a traditional housewife, a strategic move that would later become central to her anti-ERA campaign. The episode highlights Schlafly's skillful use of grassroots organization to mobilize conservative women, leading to the formation of the Stop ERA movement and the Eagle Forum. Her tactics included fear-mongering about the supposed dangers of the ERA to traditional family structures and women's privileges, which resonated with many and played a significant role in the amendment's eventual defeat.

As Schlafly's influence grew, so did her impact on the Republican Party, culminating in the removal of the pro-ERA stance from the GOP platform in 1980. The hosts discuss the contradictions in Schlafly's life, such as her law degree pursuit and her relationship with her husband, which belied her public persona. The episode also touches on her views on other feminist issues, like marital rape and sexual harassment, which she dismissed, and her role in shaping the modern conservative agenda.