Phyllis Schlafly was an American conservative activist, author, and lawyer born on August 15, 1924, in St. Louis, Missouri, and died on September 5, 2016, in Ladue, Missouri. She was best known for her leadership in the conservative movement and her opposition to the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). Schlafly was raised in a conservative Catholic family and went on to earn a bachelor's degree in political science from Washington University in St. Louis and a master's degree in government from Harvard University. She later earned a law degree from Washington University and practiced law for a brief period. In the 1950s, Schlafly became involved in [Republican politics](https://doctorparadox.net/the-gop-is-3-cults-in-a-trenchcoat/) and [conservative activism](https://doctorparadox.net/mental-self-defense/the-conservative-mind/). She was a vocal opponent of the ERA, arguing that it would undermine traditional gender roles and harm families. She founded the Eagle Forum, a conservative advocacy organization, in 1972 and served as its president until her death in 2016. Schlafly was also a prolific author, writing dozens of books on topics such as national defense, education, and the family. She was a frequent speaker at conservative events and was known for her passionate and articulate advocacy on behalf of conservative causes. Overall, Schlafly was a controversial figure who played a significant role in shaping the conservative movement in the United States. While some admired her for her commitment to traditional values and limited government, others criticized her for her opposition to women's rights and her often controversial statements on a range of social and political issues.