Calhoun C0unty, AL – Lilly Ledbetter, a prominent figure in the fight for equal pay, has passed away at the age of 86. Known for her pivotal role in influencing federal legislation, Ledbetter’s legacy stems from her discovery that she earned significantly less than her male colleagues at a Goodyear plant in Gadsden, Alabama. According to her family, she died of respiratory failure on Saturday, surrounded by loved ones.
In a statement, the family shared: “Lilly Ledbetter passed away peacefully [Saturday] at the age of 86. She was surrounded by her family and loved ones. Our mother lived an extraordinary life, and we appreciate your respect for our privacy during this time of grief.”
Ledbetter was recently honored with the Future Is Female Lifetime Achievement Award from Advertising Week, and a feature film about her life, titled “Lilly” and starring Patricia Clarkson, premiered at the Hamptons International Film Festival just last week.
The landmark legislation known as the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which was the first bill signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2009, was named in her honor. Ledbetter’s journey toward this achievement began after she spent more than 19 years working at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. She filed a lawsuit against the company after receiving an anonymous note revealing she was earning up to $2,000 less per month than her male counterparts in the same role.
Although a jury initially awarded Ledbetter $3.3 million in damages, that decision was later overturned. In 2007, her case reached the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled 5-4 against her on the basis that she had not filed her claim within the required 180-day deadline. However, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s dissent urged Congress to amend the law, highlighting the restrictive interpretation the court had applied.
Ledbetter’s persistence resulted in the passage of the Fair Pay Act, making it easier for individuals to challenge pay discrimination. While she did not personally benefit from the law, she continued advocating for others, remarking that financial compensation was never her main goal. “Over her career, she lost more than $200,000 in salary and additional pension and Social Security benefits,” President Obama noted during the signing ceremony.
Earlier this year, Ledbetter spoke at an event in Calhoun County, where she recounted her experiences advocating for equal pay and encouraged women to use their voices and votes to drive change. Her story of resilience continues to inspire others, marking her as a trailblazer for equal rights in the workplace.
