Lilly Ledbetter's Story

Lilly Ledbetter was a hardworking, dedicated manager at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. who was paid less than her male co-workers for almost two decades. Learn more about Lilly Ledbetter.

The Fair Pay Campaign

In 2007 the Supreme Court ruled that Lilly Ledbetter — who was paid less than her male co-workers for nearly two decades — wasn't entitled to sue for pay discrimination. The Supreme Court's decision was a major setback for equal rights.

But Congress can correct the Supreme Court’s wrong. Last year, the House of Representatives stepped up to the plate, passing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. Unfortunately, though, when the bill came to the Senate floor in April 2008, a powerful minority of Senators stopped the bill from moving forward.

Now, an alternative bill has been introduced to compete with the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. Misleadingly named the “Title VII Fairness Act,” this bill, introduced by Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, would force victims of pay discrimination to surmount unfair hurdles before they could vindicate their right to equal pay. Please help us send a clear message that Hutchison bill is not a reasonable alternative to combat pay discrimination. Learn more and e-mail your Senators today.

Why Does the Fair Pay Act Matter? Women in the United States are still paid only 77 cents for every dollar earned by men. For women of color, the numbers are even worse - African-American women earn 63 cents and Latinas earn 52 cents for every dollar paid to white men.

News on the Fair Pay Act:

• A rally in support of fair pay for women was held in July 2008 at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
• NWLC Co-President Marcia Greenberger told CNBC why the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act is good for business. Watch the video.
• Sen. Ted Kennedy appeared alongside Lilly Ledbetter on CNN to discuss the importance of the bill. Watch the video.
• The Washington Post and New York Times both came out with editorials in support of the Fair Pay Act.