One of AAUW California’s Public Policy Priorities is economic security for all women, including equity in the workplace and enforcement of anti-discrimination statutes. Last week, an icon in the equal pay movement, Lilly Ledbetter, passed away at 86.
Ledbetter’s story is not just one of individual resilience; it embodies the ongoing struggle for women’s equality in the workplace. Lilly worked for nearly two decades at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and uncovered that she was being paid thousands less per year than her male counterparts. This revelation sparked a fire within her, igniting a campaign that would forever alter the landscape of equal pay in America.
In 2007, Ledbetter took her fight to the Supreme Court yet the Court’s ruling was disheartening; it stated that she had filed her complaint outside the statute of limitations. In response to the 5-4 majority opinion, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg provided one her infamous and noteworthy dissenting opinions, calling out the eight male justices for their apathy. “The court does not comprehend or is indifferent to the insidious way in which women can be victims of pay discrimination,” she said, imploring Congress to act.
Undaunted, Lilly remained a voice for many. Her activism ultimately led to the introduction of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, which President Obama signed into law as his first piece of legislation. This landmark act marked a significant victory in the fight for gender equality, sending a clear message that pay discrimination would not be tolerated.
Beyond the legislative impact of the Act, Lilly became an icon of empowerment and perseverance, traveling the world and encouraging others to stand up for their rights. Her memoir, Grace and Grit: My Fight for Equal Pay and Fairness at Goodyear and Beyond emphasized the importance of awareness and action in combating workplace discrimination. At the peak of the #MeToo movement, her opinion piece in the New York Times linked workplace sexual harassment to pay inequity. Lilly, a feature film based on her life, premiered at the Hamptons International Film Festival on October 10, 2024, just two days before her passing.
Lilly’s journey reminds us that individual stories can catalyze monumental change and that every voice matters in the quest for equality. The AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund (LAF) challenges sex discrimination in higher education and the workplace. The Fund has provided millions in support of hundreds of cases. View Past Cases and Current Cases to learn more.
Ledbetter’s legacy shows us that change is possible through persistence, courage, and community. As we reflect on her contributions, we are called to continue the work of advocating for equality, ensuring that future generations inherit a world where every individual is compensated fairly for their contributions, regardless of gender. Together, we can continue to champion the cause of equality and ensure that Lilly’s legacy endures.
Written by Erica Dias, Member AAUW California Public Policy Committee