Lilly Ledbetter, Equal Pay Advocate and Icon, Dies at 86

Ledbetter's lawsuit against Goodyear led to landmark legislation, but the gender wage gap persists.

Lilly Ledbetter's discovery of pay disparity at Goodyear sparked a landmark lawsuit that reached the Supreme Court, though she ultimately lost the case.
The Supreme Court's decision inspired the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, signed by President Obama, which reset the time limit for filing pay discrimination lawsuits.
Despite losing her case, Ledbetter became a tireless advocate for equal pay, influencing legislation and inspiring future generations.
Ledbetter passed away at 86, leaving behind a legacy of activism and a call for continued efforts to close the gender wage gap.
Recent reports indicate that the gender wage gap has widened, with women earning 83 cents for every dollar earned by men in 2023.