Childhood and Education Journey of Phyllis Schlafly in Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Phyllis Schlafly, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

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

August 15, 1924: Birth of Phyllis Schlafly

On August 15, 1924, Phyllis McAlpin Stewart, later known as Phyllis Schlafly, was born. She became an American attorney, conservative activist, and anti-feminist figure.

Others born on this day/year

1932: Father's Unemployment

In 1932, during the Great Depression, Phyllis Schlafly's father, John Bruce Stewart, faced long-term unemployment.

1944: Graduation from Washington University

In 1944, Phyllis Schlafly graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a Bachelor of Arts degree and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa.

1945: Master's Degree from Radcliffe

In 1945, Phyllis Schlafly received a Master of Arts degree in government from Radcliffe after attending Harvard.

October 20, 1949: Marriage to John Fred Schlafly Jr.

On October 20, 1949, Phyllis Schlafly married attorney John Fred Schlafly Jr., a member of a wealthy St. Louis family.

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.

1960: Mention in "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel"

In 1960, Phyllis Schlafly is mentioned in "Marvelous Radio", the seventh episode of the third season of the comedy TV series "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel", where the main character, Midge, considers participating in a live radio commercial for Schlafly but ultimately refuses due to her views.

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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".

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.

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.

1975: ERA Ratification Predicted

Many people believed that the ERA would have been ratified by 1975 had it not been for Phyllis Schlafly's early and effective efforts to organize potential opponents.

1976: ERA Ratification Predicted

Many people believed that the ERA would have been ratified by 1976 had it not been for Phyllis Schlafly's early and effective efforts to organize potential opponents.

January 1977: Indiana Ratifies the ERA

In January 1977, Indiana became the last state to ratify the ERA, with State Senator Wayne Townsend casting the tie-breaking vote.

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.

1978: Cancelled Speeches

In 1978, Phyllis Schlafly told Time magazine, "I have cancelled speeches whenever my husband thought that I had been away from home too much."

1980: NOW Downplays Program for Older Women

By 1980, the National Organization for Women (NOW) downplayed their program to help older divorced and widowed women, focusing almost exclusively on ratification of the ERA. Schlafly criticized feminists for abandoning older, middle-class women and warned that the ERA would strip legal protections they needed.

1992: Son John Schlafly outed as gay

In 1992, John Schlafly, the eldest son of Fred and Phyllis Schlafly, was outed as gay by Queer Week magazine.

1992: Bill Clinton Elected President

The defeat of the ERA damaged the women's movement and led to feminist dissatisfaction with the Republican Party, which helped elect Bill Clinton to the presidency in 1992.

1993: Move to Ladue, Missouri

Following her husband's death in 1993, Phyllis Schlafly moved to Ladue, Missouri.

1993: Death of John Fred Schlafly Jr.

In 1993, John Fred Schlafly Jr., husband of Phyllis Schlafly, passed away.

1994: Condemnation of Globalization

Prior to the 1994 Congressional elections, Phyllis Schlafly condemned globalization through the World Trade Organization as a "direct attack on American sovereignty, independence, jobs, and economy."

1995: Condemnation of the United Nations

On the 50th anniversary of the UN in 1995, Phyllis Schlafly referred to it as "a cause for mourning, not celebration... a Trojan Horse that carries the enemy into our midst."

1996: Bill Clinton Re-elected President

In 1996, Bill Clinton was re-elected as president, due to the combination of feminist dissatisfaction with the Republican Party and overwhelming minority support.

1996: Opposition to Bosnia Troop Deployment

In 1996, Phyllis Schlafly opposed President Bill Clinton's decision to send 20,000 American troops to Bosnia during the Yugoslav Wars.

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.

March 2007: Speech Against Marital Rape Concept

In March 2007, Phyllis Schlafly spoke against the concept of marital rape in a speech at Bates College, stating that "By getting married, the woman has consented to sex, and I don't think you can call it rape."

2007: Warnings Against New ERA

In 2007, while working to defeat a new version of the Equal Rights Amendment, Phyllis Schlafly warned it would force courts to approve same-sex marriages and deny Social Security benefits for housewives and widows.

May 1, 2008: Announcement of Honorary Degree

On May 1, 2008, Washington University in St. Louis announced that Phyllis Schlafly would receive an honorary degree at the graduation ceremony, sparking objections from students and faculty.

May 16, 2008: Award of Honorary Degree and Protests

On May 16, 2008, Phyllis Schlafly was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters at Washington University, amidst protests where faculty and students silently turned their backs in opposition.

September 5, 2016: Death of Phyllis Schlafly

On September 5, 2016, Phyllis Schlafly, the American attorney, conservative activist, and anti-feminist, passed away. She was a nationally prominent figure in conservatism.