THE VFA PIONEER HISTORIES PROJECT
Hon. Susan Catania
December 10, 1941 – November 27, 2023
“I saw being a legislator as a chance to work on problems I wanted to work on and get paid a reasonable salary without neglecting family responsibilities.” September 1978.
Republican member of the Illinois House of Representatives from 1973 to 1983. Involved in women’s rights issues and led the unsuccessful effort to get the federal Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) ratified by the Illinois General Assembly. Served as chairperson of the Illinois Commission on the Status of Women. A liberal, feminist and maverick member of the Republican legislative caucus.
Photo. Susan and family in 1978 (Photo by Dale Wittner).
More About Susan:
- Trailblazer, Feminist, Mom: An Appreciation, by Sara Catania
- Oral History Interview: ERA Fight in Illinois – Susan Catania, 2020
- Susan Catania Interview, 2010
- Tracy Baim interviews Susan Catania for Chicago Gay History, 2010
- Susan highlighted in “Fighting For the Obvious,” a television documentary, written by Lynn Kanter, produced by Virago Video
- The Equal Rights Amendment: Unfinished Business For the Constitution, by Ruth Pollack, 1998.
- Discussing the Equal Rights Amendment with Illinois Representative Susan Catania and political activists Clara Day and Margaret Klimkowski. Studs Terkel Radio Archive, 1978.
- Appearances on C-SPAN
- Wikipedia