Bertha Merrill "B" Holt (August 16, 1916 – June 18, 2010) was an American politician who represented Alamance and Rockingham counties in the North Carolina State House of Representatives from 1975 to 1993, where she championed North Carolina's failed attempt to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment and led the successful effort to remove the exemption of husbands from the state's rape laws.
In addition, she was active in the Episcopal Church and was a founding member of the Alamance Women's Political Caucus and the Woman's Resource Center.
[citation needed] Holt was appointed by Governor James Holshouser to fill a seat vacated by John D. Long on August 18, 1975.
[4] North Carolina was embroiled in a heated debate over the Equal Rights Amendment and Holt quickly emerged as a steadfast proponent.
During her career Holt sponsored many notable bills in the legislature including clarifying a judge's decision to decide what will become of firearms involved in crimes,[5] insuring women cannot be charged with indecent exposure for breastfeeding, and solidifying the right of government employees to participate in political movements[6] A cornerstone of her political career was the removal of a husband's exemption from North Carolina rape laws.
"[8] After her death North Carolina State House Speaker Joe Hackney said "[d]uring her nearly 20 years in the North Carolina House of Representatives, she proved to be a dedicated and highly competent lawmaker and a pioneering female lawyer who mentored many of the women who followed her into the legislature.