Thank You Lilly Ledbetter: Equal Pay Act Signed into Law

When Barack Obama signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act into law this morning–technically his second piece of legislation signed as president–he, with congress, removed the ridiculous legal obstacles for women seeking equal pay in the workplace. Though Ledbetter was certainly not alone in fighting for workplace gender equality, her struggle in doing so is notable and worthy of our thanks.

Lilly Ledbetter, 70, worked as a manager in a Alabama tire manufacturing plant for many years when, with the assistance of a coworker, she discovered the scope of the discrimination based solely on her gender. An Alabama jury agreed with her complaint; however, her efforts to recover restitution were frustrated by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2007.

The 5-4 split decision of the Supreme Court was contingent on a technicality in the law pertaining to a 180 day statute of limitations for filing suit over pay discrimination. Technically, Ledbetter would have had to file a complaint within 180 days of the first incident. Justices opposed to her case decided to follow a strict interpretation of the existing law despite the highly unlikely probability of discovering the wrongdoing within such a short period of time.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg, author of the Court’s dissent, placed the blame squarely upon the deep-seated nature of gender inequality in American society. Speaking on behalf of the four dissenting judges, Ginsburg said, “In our view, the court does not comprehend, or is indifferent to, the insidious way in which women can be victims of pay discrimination …” The House of Representatives agreed, but efforts to change the law were quashed by Senate Republicans last April.

The signing of today’s Fair Pay Act was long overdue, but welcome. Though passing the act represents progress, it is but a tool in combating discrimination, not just for women but for all who have and will face unfair treatment in the workplace and elsewhere. As President Obama put it at the signing ceremony:

Ultimately, equal pay isn’t just an economic issue for millions of Americans and their families, it’s a question of who we are — and whether we’re truly living up to our fundamental ideals; whether we’ll do our part, as generations before us, to ensure those words put on paper some 200 years ago really mean something–to breathe new life into them with a more enlightened understanding that is appropriate for our time.

That is what Lilly Ledbetter challenged us to do.

So thanks to you, Lilly. You have helped to provide an example of our government working properly, and that’s something we can’t get enough of these days. The legislation that bears your name is a testament to your struggle as well as many, many others who have fought discrimination in all its forms.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Dan M.

3:44AM PST on Feb 17, 2009

The problem I see here is, who is to judge how much someone is worth; the government? I'm sure we've all worked at places where clearly some employees doing the same job are worth more than others. My company had to go through a lawsuit which they won, rightly so in my opinion, but cost tens of thousands of dollars and hours of time.

Equal pay for equal job performance is clearly a noble goal; how to achieve it is the question. I haven't been following this that closely, but Republicans have never been friendly to trial lawyers and that's probably the main reason some voted nay.

Dan

send a green star

Esta W.

11:09AM PST on Feb 9, 2009

"Would you believe 172 House Republicans voted against this legislation?" Unfornately, yes, I can belive it and I am disgusted by the whole idea. The GOP for some reason, has taken up being obsutionisnt just for the sake of being aruementive it seems, as there is no logical reason for the things they are objecting to.

Tierney G.

7:37PM PST on Feb 5, 2009

Lily is my hero she is a tough cookie and I admire her courage! This was so long overdue mostly because not enough women stand up for their rights as human beings. It is 2009 don't you think it is time for equality girls? We have been put down for too long.

Maree R.

5:51PM PST on Feb 3, 2009

It's wonderful to see what our President can really do to help all americans when he's not blocked by the republiklans and their co-horts.

Green Road A.

9:56PM PST on Jan 29, 2009

Yea Lilly.. You go girl...

One woman won against a whole army of corporate lawyers, a stacked Republican majority, years of suppression and discrimination along with the support of a religion that treats women and minorities like second class citizens, not worthy of equal rights.