Well-known pioneer fought for female pay fairness and passed away at 86

Lilly Ledbetter, a pioneer in the struggle for female pay fairness, died on Saturday, October 12. She was 86.

“Lilly Ledbetter passed away peacefully last night at the age of 86,” her family stated in a statement to CNN and AL.com, the first to disclose the news, on Sunday.

They informed both sources that Ledbetter died of respiratory failure. Her family and loved ones surrounded her. Our mother led an exceptional life. We appreciate your respect for our privacy at this difficult time.

After 19 years of employment at Goodyear Tire & Rubber, Ledbetter discovered that her monthly salary was hundreds of dollars less than that of her male coworkers in the same position.

Lilly Ledbetter sued Goodyear for gender discrimination in 1999, winning the case in federal court and receiving $3.8 million in back pay and damages in 2003. Goodyear later filed an appeal, reversing the ruling.

The issue went to the Supreme Court in 2007, where the justices held 5-4 that Ledbetter should have filed her action within 180 days of her initial uneven pay relative to her colleagues. Because she missed this deadline, the court ruled that she lacked grounds to pursue her lawsuit.

Despite her defeat, Ledbetter rose to prominence as a champion for gender equality, and her efforts led to the first bill former President Barack Obama signed into law after taking office. The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act makes it simpler for employees to sue after uncovering possible wage discrimination.

“That was the most awesome emotion I think I have ever had,” Ledbetter told CNN in 2018. “I’ll put it behind having a son and a daughter.”

On Sunday, Obama, 63, used social media to highlight Ledbetter’s global influence. “Lilly Ledbetter never intended to be a pioneer or a household name. She merely desired to receive the same compensation for her efforts as men did. However, this grandmother from Alabama persisted in her fight,” the former president said on X (formerly Twitter).

He went on to say, “Lilly did what so many Americans before her have done: she set high standards for herself and even higher for her children and grandchildren.” Michelle [Obama] and I are grateful for her advocacy and friendship, and we extend our love and prayers to her family and everyone who is continuing the battle she started.”