Ordinary Equality: The Fearless Women and Queer People Who Shaped the U.S. Constitution and the Equal Rights Amendment

by Kate Kelly, Nicole LaRue (Illustrations)

We are all living through modern constitutional history in the making, and Ordinary Equality helps teach about the past, present, and future of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) through the lives of the bold, fearless women and queer people who have helped shape the U.S. Constitution.

Ordinary Equality digs into the fascinating and little-known history of the ERA and the lives of the incredible—and often overlooked—women and queer people who have helped shape the U.S. Constitution for more than 200 years. Based on author Kate Kelly’s acclaimed podcast of the same name, Ordinary Equality recounts a story centuries in the making. From before the Constitution was even drafted to the modern day, she examines how and why constitutional equality for women and Americans of all marginalized genders has been systematically undermined for the past 100-plus years, and then calls us all to join the current movement to put it back on the table and get it across the finish line.

Kate Kelly provides a much-needed fresh perspective on the ERA for feminists of all ages, and this engaging, illustrated look at history, law, and activism is sure to inspire many to continue the fight.

Individual chapters tell the stories of Molly Brant (Koñwatsi-tsiaiéñni / Degonwadonti), Abigail Adams, Phillis Wheatley, Matilda Joslyn Gage, Alice Paul, Mary Church Terrell, Pauli Murray, Martha Wright Griffiths, Patsy Takemoto Mink, Barbara Jordan, and Pat Spearman, and features other key players and concepts, including Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Title IX, Danica Roem, and many more.

Genres: Nonfiction, Feminism, History, Activism, Politics, Queer, Biography

256 pages, Hardcover

Published April 26, 2022

About the author

Kate Kelly is a zealous advocate and passionate activist. She has a JD from American University Washington College of Law, the only law school in the world founded by, and for, women. She graduated cum laude in 2012, and received the Class of 2012 Peter M. Cicchino Award for Outstanding Advocacy in the Public Interest. She is a vocal women’s rights champion in the U.S., and around the world.

In her legal career she has had various incredible opportunities including working as an Ella Baker Fellow at the Center for Constitutional Rights; a law clerk at the Inter-American Court of Human Rights; a research assistant to the Chair of the United Nations Committee Against Torture in Geneva, Switzerland; a post-grad fellow at the Women’s Refugee Commission; an attorney at the RFK Center for Justice & Human Rights; Legal Advisor for Legal Action Worldwide working on sexual violence legislation in Somalia, and litigating before the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights; consultant for the United Nations High Commission on Refugees report Women on the Run; and Strategic Advocacy & Policy Counsel at the Planned Parenthood Association of Utah; Legal Fellow for the Human Rights in the U.S. Project at Columbia Law School; Human Rights Attorney at Equality Now. Kate believes the simple and popular adage that women’s rights are human rights, and is committed to legal advocacy & education for women & other marginalized groups. She is a nationally-known advocate for ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, and Host of the podcast Ordinary Equality.

Kate's forthcoming book (Spring 2022) also called “Ordinary Equality” is about the history of the women who have shaped the U.S. Constitution.

In 2013 Kate founded a group called Ordain Women to advocate for gender equality in the Mormon Church. She was convicted of apostasy by 3 male Mormon leaders & excommunicated from the church in June 2014 for speaking out against the institutional oppression of women. But, Kate’s work for women’s equality continues unabated. Thanks to her work with Ordain Women, and her outspoken advocacy, Kate has a Wikipedia page accompanied by a disambiguation term she is proud of: Kate Kelly (feminist).

Reviews

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

You cannot fight for equality while excluding certain groups of people, as that is in direct opposition to the definition of equality. Freedom and Rights to all!

[Lizzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book blew me away. Kate Kelly is an inspiration. I’ve learned so much from this book (and Kate’s podcast). When do we want equality? NOW! Sign me up for every and all efforts to get this ratified. Women and all marginalized genders deserve equal rights and representation in the US Constitution. And anyone who cares about our future should read this book.

[Sarah Sheppard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ordinary Equality is a book with solid, important content that I wish I had learned more about in school. It focuses on the intersectionality within the suffrage and ERA movements in a way I don't often see in books like this, which is doubly important in this day and age.

My only qualm is this- it felt like maybe it was designed for a younger audience, because of the overall tone, use of slang, and asides from the author. That style of writing in a nonfiction book really isn't for me. I also wish it was a bit more detailed. I felt like a got a brief overview of each person featured, but some parts felt almost like I was reading a Wikipedia article. Though, to be fair, there are only so many ways to say "so-and-so was born at this time in this place," without eventually getting a little boring.

[Zee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now this was a nonfiction book that kept me engaged from start to finish. Between the style of the artwork and the captivating writing style, I actually wanted to read it (that’s a feat with me and nonfiction).

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.

[Sam - Read & Buried · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance reading copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I've never listened to the Ordinary Equality podcast, so I started off without much knowledge as to what to expect from this book or the author. Fortunately, the book does what it says in its title, and the author does it well.

Kelly takes the reader through the history of the 19th Amendment and the ERA, using profiles of individual activists to showcase different eras in history. This approach not only makes these important trailblazers feel more real, it also puts the reader in the moment - the 1920s can feel far away, but in reality it really was only 100 years ago, and those fighting for equal rights then still face the same roadblocks we do today.

The profiles themselves are great - I admit I have a limited knowledge of the movement, but I still found familiar faces and new-to-me figures alike. There are also mini-profiles at the end of each chapter that feature activists mentioned in the chapter for a little more information that would otherwise be tangential to the topic at hand; I'm very glad the author included these, because they help provide additional context to what else was happening at the time.

I also want to say that I am incredibly grateful that Kelly was respectful of and included the queer individuals who played important roles in the movement as well. I've learned to be wary of things proclaiming to be feminist that aren't actually inter-sectional, so I was glad to see that this book actually takes that to heart.

I will admit I found some of the extra commentary to be a little over the top - I think the reader can grasp irony without the narrator having to stop to call it out with a witticism. It isn't saturated with these, but it's enough that I was rolling my eyes at them a few times. I get that Kelly's voice is trying to shine through in these parts, but I feel these are best left for the introduction and conclusion rather than the activist profiles themselves.

All in all, this book does what it says in its title. It provides a historical look at the history of the movement and provides a call to action at the end for those who want to do more - and you likely will by the time you finish the book. I hope the author pursues other work, on this topic or on others, as I will definitely be interested in reading whatever Kelly writes next.

[Maggie Maxfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was in high school, I had a bulletin board with all my heroes on it, from familial to religious to comic. It did not occur to me to add a single female to my board full of 20+ faces. And while I idealized a bunch of men who never expected (or even wanted) me to become like them, the women and queer people in this book were working hard to bring attention to inequality, were seeking to lead hardheaded tradition-keepers to allow for change, were celebrating small wins and lamenting with prophetic insights the miles to go. if I made another hero wall today, I'd put every person from this book on that board. Well researched, fun to read, target audience young adult.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book sort of circumstantially, but ended up really enjoying it. I love how it focused on the more unsung heroes of the ERA - I hadn't heard of many of the profiled activists. I feel a lot more educated on the ERA (like how it's gotten enough states to ratify it, we just need it to be passed into law!! Come on. already!!) The fight for equal rights is not over and I feel energized to keep working!

[Erin Matson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciated Ordinary Equality. We are not taught enough about the Equal Rights Amendment, the struggle for women’s equality, and women’s history in schools. Kate Kelly is a crusader for women’s rights. I hope this book will lead its readers to engage more deeply with the struggle for gender equality.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I admit to having this book checked out from the library entirely too long. I was going to either need to renew for the third time, return, or actually read it. No idea why I put it at the bottom of the stack. Such a great format and easy to read. I wish some of the earlier chapters had better depth, but appreciated the later profiles especially Pauli.

[Cora Reese · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hate non-fiction, but Kate Kelly puts her emotions into writing about feminist figures that had a big impact on her life. As a member of the Young Feminist Party, I needed to read this book as Kate Kelly is heavily involved with the organization. I am so happy I know about these strong women who have paved the way for activists like me today.

[Joanna Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating, Excellent writing, very educational and inspiring. It’s visually grabbing and the quotes from strong women stay with you. A must read to understand how far women have come in the US and how much we still have to fight for.

[Sonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very accessible and I always learn about hidden figures of history. A few typos that were a little distracting. Very contemporary feel and writing and the artwork was really cool. I learned a lot and it definitely makes me want to learn more.

[Brigid · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good content but I wasn't a huge fan of the tone of the book/writing style.

[Dionne · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Over time, and with plenty of indoctrination, I became an expert at seeing things from a man's perspective but not from my own."

An inspirational look at the many women and queer people who helped make this country better. I highly recommend!!

[Richard Derus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5* of five, rounded up because it's too important a topic not to

The Publisher Says: We are all living through modern constitutional history in the making, and Ordinary Equality helps teach about the past, present, and future of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) through the lives of the bold, fearless women and queer people who have helped shape the U.S. Constitution. Ordinary Equality digs into the fascinating and little-known history of the ERA and the lives of the incredible—and often overlooked—women and queer people who have helped shape the U.S. Constitution for more than 200 years.

Based on author Kate Kelly’s acclaimed podcast of the same name, Ordinary Equality recounts a story centuries in the making. From before the Constitution was even drafted to the modern day, she examines how and why constitutional equality for women and Americans of all marginalized genders has been systematically undermined for the past 100-plus years, and then calls us all to join the current movement to put it back on the table and get it across the finish line. Kate Kelly provides a much-needed fresh perspective on the ERA for feminists of all ages, and this engaging, illustrated look at history, law, and activism is sure to inspire many to continue the fight.

Individual chapters tell the stories of Molly Brant (Koñwatsi-tsiaiéñni / Degonwadonti), Abigail Adams, Phillis Wheatley, Matilda Joslyn Gage, Alice Paul, Mary Church Terrell, Pauli Murray, Martha Wright Griffiths, Patsy Takemoto Mink, Barbara Jordan, and Pat Spearman, and features other key players and concepts, including Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Title IX, Danica Roem, and many more.

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.

My Review: Women of every age and station shouldn't need to fight for equality, it should be theirs by birthright. Sadly, that is not the case here in the US (or most other places in the world). These quick hits of informative prose illustrated quite appealingly with scenes or faces of the people profiled are a bit too short for me. I wasn't taken with the author's acid asides, either. This is a quibble, because I read the book straight (!) through and really should've browsed it bit by bit over days. Anyone needing to chuckle instead of scream at the state of our political landscape could use this as a tonic: It was ever thus, best to laugh then gird your loins for the next round.

There will always be a next round.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

NOTE: I received a free eBook copy of this book from LibraryThing's Early Reviewers (March 2022).

Women's history and women's rights are topics that are close to my heart that I learn about whenever I can. Nevertheless, I learned something new on every page of Kate Kelly's "Ordinary Equality," which relates the stories of the largely unsung women and queer people who changed the course of history in the United States, paving the way for woman suffrage and the progression of the Equal Rights Amendment. The book relates the lives and achievements of a diverse cast of protagonists, offering a new perspective on familiar figures (e.g., Abigail Adams, Phillis Wheatley, and Alice Paul) as well as an introduction to those about whom I knew nothing (including Molly Brant, Martha Wright Griffiths, and Patsy Takemoto Mink). Through the inclusion of notables such as Crystal Eastman and Matilda Joslyn Gage, Kelly highlights key figures in women's rights who had been written out of the suffrage movement previously. In reading "Ordinary Equality," it is impossible not to get inspired by the tales of ordinary people achieving great things. Readers will walk away from the book energized to take a stand on women's rights in their own communities.

[Emily Colette Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

astonishing.