Lilly Ledbetter, a prominent women’s rights activist whose efforts for pay equity led to the creation of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, passed away on Saturday at the age of 86. Her death was confirmed by Jodi Solomon, her speaking manager.
Solomon described Ledbetter as a passionate crusader and a dear friend, emphasizing how much she would be missed.
Born in Jacksonville, Alabama, Ledbetter started her career as a supervisor at a Goodyear tire plant in Gadsden, Alabama, in 1979. She later discovered, through an anonymous note, that she was earning significantly less than her male counterparts in the same role. Reflecting on that moment, Ledbetter shared in a 2009 interview how the revelation left her feeling humiliated and degraded, leading her to file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
Her legal battle for pay equity began in 1998 and extended over a decade. After retiring from Goodyear shortly after becoming aware of the pay gap, Ledbetter filed a gender discrimination lawsuit in 1999. She won the case in 2003, receiving an initial award of over $3 million, but this amount was later reduced to $300,000 due to statutory limits. Additionally, she was awarded $60,000 in back pay. Goodyear subsequently appealed the ruling to the Supreme Court, which ultimately decided against her in a 5-4 ruling in 2007, stating that Ledbetter could seek damages only for a limited time before her complaint was filed.
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg dissented in the case, arguing that Ledbetter’s claims were not time-barred and insisted that the matter was now in the hands of Congress.
Less than two years later, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 was signed into law, amending the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to enable workers to claim compensation, including back pay, for up to two years before filing a complaint. This was the first bill signed by President Barack Obama on January 29, 2009.
In a statement of remembrance, Obama praised Ledbetter for her determination and advocacy, thanking her for her contributions to the fight for equal pay.
Ledbetter’s legacy is marked by her significant contributions to the quest for pay equity, which continues to resonate today. Recently, she received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Advertising Week for her activism. Additionally, a film based on her life, titled “Lilly,” is currently being showcased at various screenings nationwide.