Obama Signs First Piece of Legislation

Lilly Ledbetter Act Makes It Easier for Workers to Sue for Pay Discrimination

By Debbi Wilgoren and Amy Goldstein –Washington Post Staff Writers Thursday, January 29, 2009

President Obama this morning signed a law that expanded the time frame in which workers can sue for discrimination they have experienced based on gender, race, national origin or religion.

The legislation — the first he has signed since becoming president nine days ago — is named for Lilly Ledbetter, who after years as a manager at Goodyear Tire & Rubber discovered she was being paid less than her male counterparts. She filed suit and won a jury verdict in 2003. But the lawsuit was deemed invalid, because it wasn’t filed within six months of when the discrimination — unknown to Ledbetter at the time — began.

Ledbetter, now 70, became an icon for Obama during his campaign for the White House. Obama escorted her into the East Room this morning for the signing ceremony, and led a prolonged round of applause for her as they stood together at the podium.

“We are upholding one of this nation’s first principles: that we are all created equal and each deserve a chance to pursue our own version of happiness,” Obama said before signing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act, which makes clear that workers may bring a lawsuit for up to six months after they receive any paycheck that they allege is discriminatory.

Read more at:  

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/29/AR2009012901887.html?hpid=topnews

Note:  First Lady Michelle Obama is hosting a reception at the White House in celebration of the passage of this legislation and honoring Lilly Ledbetter.

Quote by Illinois State Representative and Congressional Candidate, Sara Feigenholtz:

Chicago, IL – State Representative Sara Feigenholtz, candidate to fill the 5th congressional district seat vacated by Rahm Emanuel called the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay law a historic step with women.

President Obama signed the Ledbetter Act into law this morning. It is the first piece of legislation signed by President Obama.  

“As someone who helped lead the fight for Illinois’ own Equal Pay for Equal Work law, I am thrilled that the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act is now the law of the land,” Feigenholtz said. “The Ledbetter Act will help bring an end to an era of wage discrimination and provide working women with greater equity in the workplace.”

Feigenholtz fought to pass Illinois’ Equal Pay for Equal Work law, which benefits hundreds of thousands of working women today. Last week she urged the U.S. House to move quickly to pass a final version of the Ledbetter Act.

“This historic law will improve the lives of millions of women and their families across the country,” Feigenholtz said. “Even as women lead more households than ever before, statistics show that the workplace does not provide them with a level playing field. This law will help ensure that women and their families receive the wages they deserve.”