In December 2018, Nevada made history when it became the first state in the U.S. to ever have a female-majority legislature.

I was honored to be part of that groundbreaking body, and elated to look around the room and see so many female lawmakers as colleagues. Equally importantly, the diversity among those women was unprecedented. But, we didn’t just look different, we acted differently. We passed legislation on paid leave, equal pay, to prevent sexual assault and domestic violence, and we also bucked the national trend during a year when several U.S. states enacted abortion restrictions—passing the “Trust Nevada Women Act” improving abortion access in our state.

In 2019 as our newly-minted female-majority Legislature continued to blaze a new path we also voted, for the first time ever, for a Nevada state Equal Rights Amendment. 

I consider that vote to be one of the most important I cast as a senator, in addition to voting to ratify the federal ERA in 2017. The energy in the chamber was electric and we were all aware of the significance of voting for equality during a time when diversity, equality and inclusion were under attack on so many fronts. With that historic vote, Nevada helped kickstart the modern push for finalizing the federal Equal Rights Amendment. I’m proud that Nevada is on the forefront of equality, leading the way both on the state and national level. We’re equality pioneers. 

As a lifelong Nevadan, this amendment is important to me because it demonstrates our Nevada values—that we take care of all who call this beautiful desert home. A “yes” vote on Ballot Question One in November supports adding language to the Nevada Constitution that prohibits discrmination on the basis of any Nevadan’s race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, ancestry or national origin. Twenty-six other states already have state-level ERAs, but when we succeed on election day Nevada’s will be the most inclusive ERA in the country. 

While many other states are currently taking a nosedive on equality and stripping women and other marginalized groups of our rights, adding this ERA to the Nevada Constitution would help permanently solidify our rights—no matter what the legislature looks like in the future. 

I spent many years in roles that provided me ample opportunity to mentor young girls and women. I’ve made it a priority to lean in so girls are ready to cope with the many things that will come their way. Similarly, the Nevada ERA prepares us for an equal future for all, not just protecting women and girls, but all marginalized Nevadans. A yes vote for Ballot Question One is an important step for all of our daughters and sons.

I hope that women, people of color and our LGBTQI+ community will continue to be well-represented in the Legislature. However, passing the Nevada ERA will cement our legacy far into the future regardless of the results of elections every two years. It will help us eliminate the gender wage gap, shore up abortion access, combat racism, protect transgender Nevadans, and much more. Fairness and equity is important to a healthy democracy. Vote yes on ballot question one to add this important statement of equality and fairness to our state constitution.

Julia Ratti served as a member of the state Senate from 2016 to 2021, representing much of Sparks and Reno. She served on Sparks City Council from 2008 to 2016.