Cathey Steinberg oral history interview [sound recording], 1997 March 21 ; 28.

ArchivalResource

Cathey Steinberg oral history interview [sound recording], 1997 March 21 ; 28.

Steinberg begins by describing her childhood in rural Pennsylvania and her relationship with her family. She goes on to describe her transition from Northern Jewish girl to a married woman living in the South. Steinberg explains how she became involved in Georgia politics, specifically how her campaign for the Georgia House of Representatives in 1977 was very much a grass-roots effort, and because she was a woman in this predominantly male field, how she became inextricably linked with women's issues, and was called "Cathey Steinem," by some of the men in the Georgia Assembly. She says her foray into public office was not a deliberate pursuit but rather something that was suggested to her by a friend. In office, Steinberg was instrumental in helping to change language regarding rape victims. The Rape Bill of 1977 helped to put Steinberg and women's issues on the map in Georgia and also propelled her into working for the Equal Rights Amendment: She was the primary sponsor of the ERA in the Georgia legislature. She explains that because she was the popular face of women's issues in Georgia, she became referred to as the "ERA lady." Steinberg discusses some of the organizations that helped to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment including the Feminist Action Alliance, Georgia Women's Political Caucus, NOW and People of Faith for the ERA. She also recounts some of the interpersonal conflicts amongst women in the different organizations both at the state and national level. Steinberg openly discusses both the accomplishments and the obstacles of the Women's Movement and how even her own personal involvement and her public persona as the "ERA lady" became somewhat problematic when she was looking for a job outside of the legislature. She also stresses the importance of women continuing to influence, write and address public policy issues, particularly those concerning women.

3 sound cassettes : analog.3 sound discs : digital ; 4 3/4 in.transcript 61 leaves ; 28 cm.

Information

SNAC Resource ID: 7266762

Georgia State University

Related Entities

There are 3 Entities related to this resource.

Paulk, Janet, 1932-

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6jt1jgb (person)

Janet Paulk's loyalty to feminism and women's rights is exemplified through her community involvement. She is a former treasurer and executive committee member of ERA GA., Inc. as well as a member of other women-centered political and social organizations. Retired from Emory University, Paulk currently resides in Decatur, Georgia, is a member of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta, and since 1997, is a volunteer interviewer for the Georgia Women's Movement Oral History Project for...

Steinberg, Cathey W. (Cathey Weiss), 1942-

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w67h3jm0 (person)

Cathey W. Steinberg, born in 1942, is recognized and admired as a leader for women's rights through her work in the Georgia House of Representatives (1977-1989 District 46 DeKalb County) where she was the primary sponsor of the 1981-1982 ERA legislation. She also served in the Georgia Senate (1991-1993 District 42). While in office, Steinberg introduced legislation which would minimize the pressure on rape victims . Steinberg received a B.A. from Carnegie-Mellon Institute and a M.A. degree in gu...

Georgia. General Assembly. House of Representatives

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6wm5m0f (corporateBody)

The House Communications Office, previously known as the Georgia House Public Information Office, provides media credentials and workspace for journalists who cover the Georgia House of Representatives and serves as the direct liaison between the Office of the Speaker and media outlets in the state. The Director of Media Relations for House Communications, under the direction of the Director of Media Services, supervises the Communications staff to facilitate the coverage by reporters of legisla...