Barbara Hays-Hamilton, a staunch feminist and supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), joined the Midland chapter of the Michigan Conference of the National Organization for Women (NOW) in 1975. She served as president of the Midland chapter in 1978. She then held several positions within the Michigan Conference of NOW. These included positions such as chair of the ERA and the lesbian rights task forces and administrative vice president. Hays-Hamilton was elected to two one-year terms as president of the Michigan Conference of NOW beginning in 1984. During her term as president, the Conference actively supported Mondale/Ferraro in the 1984 elections. The Michigan Conference of NOW was also very active in state politics and lobbying efforts. Issues such as abortion rights and comparable worth legislation were prominent concerns. As president, Hays-Hamilton represented the Michigan Conference of NOW to other levels of NOW as well as to other activist groups. These other groups included the Michigan Women's Assembly, a coalition of women's group from throughout the state.
Ms. Hays-Hamilton also helped to form the Midland chapter of ERAmerica. In 1986, she received a degree in political science from Central Michigan University. After completing her degree she took a position at the national office of NOW in Washington, D.C..
From the guide to the Barbara Hays-Hamilton Papers, 1975-1986, (Bentley Historical Library University of Michigan)
