The only way to ensure equality for women is to clearly declare it in our Constitution.

In this quote, Carolyn Maloney argues that gender equality for women can only be truly guaranteed by explicitly stating it in the Constitution. She emphasizes that while laws and policies can offer temporary protections, they lack the permanence and foundational strength that would come with a constitutional amendment. Maloney suggests that without such a declaration, women’s rights remain vulnerable to political change and societal shifts. By embedding equality in the Constitution, society would have a stronger legal framework to defend and uphold gender equality for generations to come.

The origin of this quote comes from Maloney’s long-standing commitment to women's rights and her leadership in advocating for a gender equality amendment to the U.S. Constitution. As a member of Congress, Maloney has been a vocal supporter of measures to ensure equal protection under the law for women, including her work with the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). She has spent much of her political career fighting for laws that protect women from discrimination and ensure their rights in various areas, including employment, reproductive health, and political participation.

Maloney's call for a constitutional declaration of equality speaks to the idea that legal rights and protections should not just be seen as temporary or negotiable but as fundamental and inalienable. She believes that by securing gender equality in the Constitution, society can eliminate ambiguity and prevent future setbacks or reversals of progress. The goal is to create a clear, unambiguous foundation for women's rights, ensuring that they are never subject to political or cultural whims.

Ultimately, Maloney’s quote stresses the importance of constitutional guarantees in securing the rights and equality of women in society. She argues that only by enshrining gender equality in the highest law of the land can we ensure that women will be treated with the same respect, dignity, and legal protections as their male counterparts. This statement reflects a long-standing effort to achieve full equality for women in every aspect of public and private life.