AFL-CIO Celebrates Lilly Ledbetter's Legacy
Editorial StaffThe Facts -
- Lilly Ledbetter fought for equal pay, inspiring landmark legislation in 2009.
- Women's pay disparity persists, with an overall drop in earnings since 2022.
- Union contracts are vital for closing the gender pay gap in the workplace.
Remembering Lilly Ledbetter: A Champion for Equal Pay
AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler issued the following statement on the death of Lilly Ledbetter:
Lilly Ledbetter's legacy as a pioneering activist for workplace fairness is immortalized in the historic equal pay legislation she inspired. Her passing saddens us, but her life's mission lives on in every woman who challenges unequal pay.
At the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. plant in Gadsden, Alabama, after nearly 20 years, Ledbetter discovered she earned significantly less than her male counterparts. Her career losses amounted to over $200,000 in wages and more in retirement benefits. She fought Goodyear's discriminatory practices, taking her case to the U.S. Supreme Court and Congress. In 2009, President Obama signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, empowering workers to sue for wage discrimination.
Despite advances, much remains for gender pay gap closure. In 2023, women working full-time year-round earned 83 cents per dollar compared to white men, a drop from 84 cents in 2022. Black women earned 66 cents, down from 69 cents, while Latinas earned 58 cents, and Native American women 59 cents. Mothers earned 71 cents compared to fathers.
The most effective way to close the pay gap is through union contracts. Therefore, equal pay advocacy must protect collective bargaining rights alongside state and federal initiatives to assure fair wages for all.
Lilly Ledbetter was an American hero whose fight for equal pay continues. We honor her efforts and send condolences to her family and all who mourn her loss.
Contact: Mia Jacobs, 202-637-5018
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