The Pittsburgh Press (October 5, 1946)
Ferguson: Equal rights
By Mrs. Walter Ferguson
The apostolic delegate to the United States, speaking recently in Kansas City to the National Council of Catholic Women, urged them to be valiant, to “show by word and deed, the exalted mission which awaits women in the home, in society, and even in international affairs.”
Other speakers warned against exploitation at the hands of those promising equality rights with men. Some Catholic prelates are opposed to the present Equal Rights Amendment which has been bypassed so often by Congress.
A concession was made at Kansas City, however, in a message read from Rome containing these words: “The Pope knows how useless it would be to preach to women to return to the home while conditions prevail which constrain them to remain away from it.”
That precisely is the situation facing vast numbers of women. Thousands would like nothing better than to have a good time and stay in it. This is impossible because there are not enough homes to go around. Many have to work outside since the family cannot live on the earnings of the husband. Women often are forced to be away from home by circumstances over which they have no control.
We must indeed be valiant for righteousness where we are, but is it not reasonable that those who work in business, the professions and the trades, should have equal opportunities and equal pay with men?
Inevitably such equality will come, no matter how long Congress postpones it.