Equal Pay Advocate Lilly Ledbetter Dies at 86

Lilly Ledbetter, a pivotal figure in the fight for equal pay, passed away at the age of 86, leaving behind a legacy that transformed workplace equality. Her career at Goodyear revealed significant pay disparities, prompting her to sue for sex discrimination, which ultimately led to the landmark Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act signed by President Obama in 2009. This legislation expanded the rights of employees to challenge pay discrimination, addressing the legal loophole that previously limited claims to six months after a pay-setting decision. Ledbetter's story inspired many, including corporate leaders like Salesforce's CEO, who implemented pay equity audits in their companies following her example. President Biden and Vice President Harris both commemorated her life and contributions, emphasizing their commitment to advancing equal pay protections. Ledbetter’s relentless advocacy not only highlighted systemic issues in pay equity but also galvanized efforts toward legislative change and societal awareness.