The word <em>"ratification"</em> means to be accepted, to get consent, be formally approved. It signifies the formal acceptance of anything, making it legally binding.
In the given excerpt from the Equal Rights Amendment hearing, the phrase that helps explain the word<em> </em><em><u>"ratification"</u></em><u> is </u><em><u>"be approved"</u></em>. This means that the proposed amendment of the Equal Rights has been approved by "35 States", making it officially valid.
