Phyllis Schlafly

Phyllis Schlafly (born on August 15, 1924, in Saint Louis, Missouri) is an American conservative political activist known for her opposition to feminism in general and the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) in particular. Today, she is a widely-published author and commentator. In 1972, she founded the Eagle Forum, a conservative organization, and continues to be president of that organization.

Related Topics:
August 15 - 1924 - Saint Louis, Missouri - American - Conservative - Feminism - Equal Rights Amendment - Eagle Forum

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Schlafly was christened Phyllis McAlpine Stewart and raised as a devout Roman Catholic in a relatively poor family, although her younger sister, Odile, left the Roman Catholic church and became a Presbyterian.

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Phyllis began college early, earning her B.A. from Washington University in St. Louis in 1944 at the age of 19. She received a M.A. in Government from Harvard University in 1945, and a J.D. from WUSTL Law School in 1978.

Related Topics:
Washington University in St. Louis - J.D.

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In 1952, she unsuccessfully ran for Congress in Illinois as a member of the United States Republican Party.

Related Topics:
1952 - Congress - Illinois - United States Republican Party

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She first came to national attention as the writer of the best-selling book, A Choice, Not an Echo, written in support of Barry Goldwater's 1964 presidential campaign, which denounced the corruption and liberalism of other Republicans, especially those in New England. Critics call the book a conspiracy theory about "secret kingmakers" controlling the Republican Party.

Related Topics:
Barry Goldwater - 1964 - New England

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In 1967, she founded her own political newsletter, the Phyllis Schlafly Report, which is still published.

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In 1970, Schlafly made a second unsuccessful bid for a seat in the U.S. Congress, though in a different Illinois district.

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