Constitution Initiative

As current and future leaders, many of you will have a hand in writing primary documents for community organizations, companies, and countries. The Women's Leadership Institute offers you the opportunity to gain experience by participating in the Mills College 21st Century Constitution Initiative.

In keeping with the history-making experience of two Mills alumnae—Beate Sirota Gordon (1943) and Eleanor Hadley (1938)—the Women's Leadership Institute invites Mills students, faculty, staff, and alumnae to participate in crafting a 21st Century Constitution. In 1946, Hadley and Gordon were asked by General Douglas MacArthur to write the Japanese Constitution in seven days. Hadley wrote the economic section, while Gordon wrote the family, equity, and gender policies for the Japanese Constitution.

Article 14 of that Constitution states:

All of the people are equal under the law. There shall be no discrimination in political, economic, or social relations because of race, creed, sex, social status, or family origin.

Since it was ratified in 1787, many groups have struggled and continue to be recognized under the U.S. Constitution. For example, since 1972, supporters of the Equal Rights Amendment have pressed forward to secure ratification by the legislatures of all 50 states. In 1923, suffragist Alice Paul declared that freedom from sex discrimination required constitutional protection and worded the version of the ERA introduced in every congressional session from 1923 to 1972.

In the past few decades, several countries including South Africa and Venezuela have written or rewritten their constitutions to be more diverse and inclusive. If you could create a 21st Century U.S. Constitution how would you do it?

Announcement of the winner (23k, pdf)

Description of the project (9k, pdf)

Co-sponsored by Office of the Provost, Institute for Civic Leadership, Women’s Studies Program, and coordinated by WLI Roundtable Leadership Fellows Courtney Donnell and Melissa McDonough.