At 89, Phyllis Schlafly is proud to be one of the foremost standard bearers of conservative principles.
Now, however, the woman who fought the Equal Rights Amendment in the 1970s is being obliged to take part in a different battle — against a nephew who wants to associate her name in perpetuity with beer.
The brewhaha, as it is known in the Eagle Forum leader’s hometown of St. Louis, involves an attempt by her nephew, Tom Schlafly, to obtain a trademark granting
a brewery he co-founded the exclusive right to use the Schlafly name.
Special: Powerful New Movie Reveals Alarming Threats on U.S. Border – See Trailer Here.
His Aunt Phyllis has responded by asking the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to deny the request, arguing that it will sully her 60-year political career. Settlement talks in the battle, that has been rumbling on for 18 months, have gone nowhere.
"There are tens of millions of Americans who oppose alcohol," said her son, Andrew Schlafly, a New Jersey lawyer representing her in the case. "Certainly alcohol has a connotation that is the opposite of conservative values."
Schlafly created the Eagle Forum to attempt to prevent ratification of the ERA. These days, the forum fights ‘pro-family issues’ such as opposing same-sex marriage.
Her radio commentaries are heard on more than 500 stations. She has authored 20 books and turns out a monthly newsletter and a syndicated newspaper column.
In a petition to the regulators, she says it is bad enough already: Eagle Forum supporters mistakenly assume she is connected to the beer company. Her son, Bruce, an orthopedic surgeon, is also objecting, saying his patients are similarly confused.
Tom is Phyllis' nephew by marriage. Her late husband John was his uncle,
reports the St. Louis Post Dispatch.
The brewery produced 56,000 barrels of beer in 2013, making it the 44th largest craft brewery in the country.
"We want to keep someone else from selling beer and calling it Schlafly,’’ Tom said in an interview with the Post-Dispatch.
He admitted that he is concerned that the squabble could backfire, saying of his aunt, ‘She has fans and critics. I want to sell to both of them. The last thing I want to do is antagonize her followers because I hope they drink Schlafly beer, too."
Special: Powerful New Movie Reveals Alarming Threats on U.S. Border – See Trailer Here.
Related stories: