Lilly Ledbetter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lilly Ledbetter
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Ledbetter in 2016
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| Born |
Lilly McDaniel
April 14, 1938 Jacksonville, Alabama, U.S.
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| Died | October 12, 2024 (aged 86) Alabama, U.S.
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| Known for | Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.; Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 |
| Spouse(s) |
Charles Ledbetter
(m. 1956; died 2008) |
| Children | 2 |
Lilly McDaniel Ledbetter (born April 14, 1938 – died October 12, 2024) was an American activist. She became famous for a big case in the U.S. Supreme Court. This case was about being treated unfairly at work, especially with pay.
The Supreme Court decided that people couldn't sue for pay discrimination if it happened more than 180 days after their first unfair paycheck. This made it hard for workers to get justice. Because of this, the United States Congress passed a new law. It was called the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009. This law fixed the problem. After this, Lilly Ledbetter became a strong voice for women's equality. She gave speeches and wrote a book. In 2011, she was honored in the National Women's Hall of Fame.
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About Lilly Ledbetter's Life
Lilly McDaniel was born in Jacksonville, Alabama, on April 14, 1938. She finished high school in Jacksonville in 1956. Her father worked as a mechanic. After high school, Lilly married Charles Ledbetter. They had two children, Vicky and Phillip. She was married to Charles until he passed away in 2008. Lilly also worked at Jacksonville State University for a short time.
Lilly Ledbetter passed away on October 12, 2024. She was 86 years old.
The Ledbetter v. Goodyear Case
In 1979, Lilly Ledbetter started working for Goodyear. She was a supervisor, a job mostly held by men. After working there for 19 years, she got an anonymous note. This note told her that she was earning much less than the men in her same job. She learned she was being paid thousands less each year.
This unfair pay happened even though she had similar experience and had worked there for a long time. Because of this, she decided to sue Goodyear. She said they were paying her less because she was a woman.
The Court's Decision
Lilly Ledbetter first won her case against Goodyear. But then, a higher court changed that decision. The case eventually went all the way to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court ruled against her. They said she had waited too long to file her lawsuit. She had to file it within 180 days of the unfair pay decision. Even though she got unfair paychecks later, the original decision was too old.
United States Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg disagreed strongly with this decision. She wrote that Lilly Ledbetter was the only woman area manager by 1997. Lilly was paid $3,727 per month. The men in the same job made much more, from $4,286 to $5,236 per month. Justice Ginsburg felt this was very unfair.
How the Law Changed
Because of this ruling, Congress later passed a new law. It was called the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009. This law changed things. It said that the 180-day clock for filing a lawsuit would restart every time a person received an unfair paycheck. This made it easier for workers to fight against pay discrimination.
The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009
The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 was passed in 2009. This law made it easier for people to file a lawsuit about unfair pay. It meant that if you received an unfair paycheck, you could file a complaint. This was true even if the original unfair decision happened a long time ago.
This act was very important. It was the first law President Barack Obama signed when he became president. He said that Lilly Ledbetter found out she was paid less than men after many years. When she tried to sue, they said it was too late. President Obama explained that the new law fixed this. It allowed people like Lilly to sue when they finally learned about the unfair pay.
Even though the law passed, Lilly Ledbetter did not get money from Goodyear. But she said she would be happy if people remembered her for making a difference. By 2011, over 350 court cases had already used this new law.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg kept a framed copy of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act in her office.
Fighting for Women's Equality
Lilly Ledbetter became a strong advocate for women's rights. On August 26, 2008, she spoke at the 2008 Democratic National Convention. She talked about the importance of equal pay for women.
In 2012, Lilly Ledbetter released her book. It was called Grace and Grit: My Fight for Equal Pay and Fairness at Goodyear and Beyond. The book shared her life story. It told about her journey from her early life in Alabama to the passing of the Fair Pay Act. She also appeared on a TV show to talk about her book.
On September 4, 2012, she spoke again at the 2012 Democratic National Convention. She said that the cause, which carried her name, was bigger than just her. She believed it was a fight for important American values. She also said that what people lose from unfair pay cannot just be measured in money.
Images for kids
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Lilly Ledbetter speaks at the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
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Lilly Ledbetter promoting Barack Obama in Pennsylvania in 2008.
