Lilly Ledbetter, the influential women’s rights advocate whose pursuit of 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 on Monday by her speaking manager, Jodi Solomon, who described Ledbetter as a “fierce” crusader and a cherished friend who will be greatly missed.
Born in Jacksonville, Alabama, Ledbetter began her career as a supervisor at a Goodyear tire plant in Gadsden in 1979. Several years later, she discovered through an anonymous note that she was earning significantly less than her male colleagues in the same position. Reflecting on her initial reaction, Ledbetter recalled feeling “humiliated” and “degraded,” prompting her to take action by filing a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) shortly thereafter.
In 1999, Ledbetter launched a gender discrimination lawsuit against Goodyear after discovering the pay disparity, ultimately winning the case in 2003 with an initial award of over $3 million. However, due to legal limitations, this amount was subsequently reduced significantly. Goodyear contested the ruling, leading to a Supreme Court decision in 2007 that upheld the company’s position regarding the timeframe for filing claims.
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg dissented, asserting that Ledbetter’s case should not have been dismissed on the basis of timing and effectively urged Congress to address the issue. This call to action was answered in 2009 when Congress passed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which revised the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to broaden the timeline for workers to seek relief regarding pay discrimination. The bill was the first signed into law by President Barack Obama on January 29, 2009.
In a statement honoring Ledbetter, Obama commented on her unintentional role as a pioneer in the fight for gender pay equity, noting that she simply sought equal pay for her hard work. He expressed gratitude for her advocacy and conveyed his condolences to her family and those who continue her fight.
Ledbetter’s contributions to the quest for fair pay have recently been recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award from Advertising Week, highlighting her enduring impact. Additionally, a film inspired by her life, titled “Lilly,” is currently being screened across the country.