Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Phyllis Schlafly

Discover the career path of Phyllis Schlafly, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Phyllis Schlafly was a prominent American conservative activist and attorney known for her staunch opposition to feminism and the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). A figurehead of the New Right, she mobilized conservative women, arguing the ERA would undermine traditional family values and harm women. Her organization, Eagle Forum, became a significant force in conservative politics. Schlafly's activism played a key role in the ERA's failure to be ratified, and she remained a vocal advocate for conservative social and political causes throughout her life.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

1946: Researcher at American Enterprise Institute

In 1946, Phyllis Schlafly became a researcher for the American Enterprise Institute and worked on Claude I. Bakewell's successful campaign for the United States House of Representatives.

June 1952: Keynote Speaker at Illinois Republican Convention

In June 1952, Phyllis Schlafly was the keynote speaker at the Illinois state convention of the Republican Party. She accused the Truman administration of "demoralizing our children by bad examples, drafting our men, and confiscating our family income."

July 1952: First Republican National Convention

In early July 1952, Phyllis Schlafly attended her first Republican National Convention as part of the Illinois delegation, where she endorsed U.S. Senator Robert A. Taft for the party's presidential nominee.

1957: Co-authors ABA Report

In 1957, Phyllis Schlafly played a major role with her husband in writing the "American Bar Association's Report on Communist Tactics, Strategy, and Objectives."

1960: Republican National Convention Alternate Delegate

In 1960, Phyllis Schlafly was elected to serve as an alternate delegate to the Republican National Convention from Illinois' 24th congressional district, where she helped lead a revolt of "moral conservatives".

1961: Opposition to Arms Control

In 1961, Phyllis Schlafly voiced her opposition to arms control agreements with the Soviet Union, arguing that such measures would not deter aggression.

June 2, 1964: Distribution of 'A Choice Not an Echo' in California

Prior to the June 2, 1964 GOP primary, 300,000 copies of Phyllis Schlafly's book "A Choice Not an Echo" were distributed in California. The distribution was handled in such a way as to mask the John Birch Society's involvement.

1964: Publication of A Choice Not an Echo

In 1964, Phyllis Schlafly self-published "A Choice Not an Echo", a book supporting Barry Goldwater and criticizing liberal Republicans. Over three million copies were sold or distributed.

1965: Publication of Strike From Space

In 1965, Phyllis Schlafly wrote in "Strike From Space" about her work during World War II as a "ballistics gunner and technician at the largest ammunition plant in the world".

1967: Lost Bid for NFRW Presidency

In 1967, Phyllis Schlafly lost her bid for the presidency of the National Federation of Republican Women (NFRW) against Gladys O'Donnell.

1970: Unsuccessful Congressional Run

In 1970, Phyllis Schlafly ran unsuccessfully for Illinois's 23rd congressional district, losing to Democratic incumbent George E. Shipley.

1972: Campaign Against the Equal Rights Amendment Begins

In 1972, Phyllis Schlafly began her campaign against the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA).

1972: Founding of the Eagle Forum

In 1972, Phyllis Schlafly founded the Eagle Forum, a conservative political interest group. She remained its chair and CEO until her death.

1973: Commentaries on WBBM

From 1973, Phyllis Schlafly provided commentaries on Chicago news radio station WBBM.

1974: CBS Morning News Commentaries

From 1974, Phyllis Schlafly provided commentaries on CBS Morning News.

November 1977: Opposition Speaker at National Women's Conference

In November 1977, Phyllis Schlafly was an opposition speaker at the 1977 National Women's Conference with Lottie Beth Hobbs, Dr. Mildred Jefferson, Nellie Gray, and Bob Dornan.

1977: Pro-Life, Pro-Family Rally

In 1977, Phyllis Schlafly led anti-feminists in organizing a counter-conference to the National Women's Conference, known as the Pro-Life, Pro-Family Rally, at the Astro Arena. Over 15,000 people attended the rally.

1978: Juris Doctor Degree

In 1978, Phyllis Schlafly earned a Juris Doctor degree from the Washington University School of Law.

1980: Commentaries on CNN

From 1980, Phyllis Schlafly provided commentaries on CNN.

1983: Syndicated Radio Commentaries

In 1983, Phyllis Schlafly began creating syndicated daily 3-minute commentaries for radio.

1989: Eagle Forum Live

In 1989, Phyllis Schlafly began hosting a weekly radio talk show, Eagle Forum Live.

2005: Call for Impeachment of Justice Anthony Kennedy

In 2005, Phyllis Schlafly advocated for the impeachment of Justice Anthony Kennedy, citing his vote to abolish the death penalty for minors as grounds for impeachment.

March 30, 2006: Attribution of Women's Improvements

In an interview on March 30, 2006, Phyllis Schlafly attributed improvement in women's lives during the last decades of the 20th century to labor-saving devices such as the indoor clothes dryer and disposable diapers.

2006: Creation of Website Opposing North American Union

In late 2006, Phyllis Schlafly collaborated with Jerome Corsi and Howard Phillips to create a website opposing the concept of a "North American Union."

2008: Criticism of Mike Huckabee and Barack Obama

In 2008, Phyllis Schlafly criticized Mike Huckabee for his leadership of the Republican Party in Arkansas and referred to Barack Obama as "an elitist who worked with words".

April 2010: Call for Military Veteran Appointment to Supreme Court

In April 2010, following the retirement announcement of Justice John Paul Stevens, Phyllis Schlafly advocated for the appointment of a military veteran to the U.S. Supreme Court.