Lilly Ledbetter, a trailblazer for equal pay, passed away at the age of 86 in Alabama. She made headlines in 2009 when President Obama signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, inspired by her fight for equal pay at a Goodyear Tire & Rubber plant in Alabama.
Despite facing setbacks in her legal battle for pay equity, Ledbetter’s advocacy led to legislation that empowered workers to challenge pay discrimination. Her legacy lives on as she continued to support workers’ rights and speak out against gender inequality.
Ledbetter’s story has even inspired a movie, “Lilly,” starring Patricia Clarkson, which premiered recently. Despite her efforts, the gender pay gap in the US persists, with women earning on average 83% of what men make.
Let’s remember Lilly Ledbetter as a champion for equality and justice, whose courage and determination have paved the way for progress in the fight against pay discrimination.
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