"Lilly Ledbetter, an American activist, gained recognition as the plaintiff in the landmark Supreme Court case Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., which centered around employment discrimination. Despite losing her case due to the existing statute of limitations on pay discrimination claims, Ledbetter's fight paved the way for the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009. This legislation, named in her honor, amended the Civil Rights Act to ensure that employees could seek redress for wage disparities. Following this experience, Ledbetter emerged as a prominent advocate for women's equality, captivating audiences as a speaker, author, and champion for equal pay."
April 14, 1938: Birth of Lilly Ledbetter
Lilly Lynn McDaniel Ledbetter was born in Possum Trot, Alabama on April 14, 1938.
1956: Graduation from Jacksonville High School
Lilly Ledbetter graduated from Jacksonville High School in 1956.
1964: Passage of the Civil Rights Act
The Civil Rights Act of 1964, which included Title VII prohibiting employment discrimination, was passed.
1979: Lilly Ledbetter Hired by Goodyear
Lilly Ledbetter began working as a supervisor at Goodyear in 1979.
1997: Discovery of Pay Disparity
By the end of 1997, Lilly Ledbetter discovered a significant pay gap between her salary and that of her male counterparts at Goodyear.
1998: Retirement from Goodyear
Lilly Ledbetter retired from Goodyear in 1998 after working there for nineteen years.
August 26, 2008: Speech at the Democratic National Convention
On August 26, 2008, Lilly Ledbetter spoke at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado, addressing the issue of pay equity.
December 2008: Death of Charles Ledbetter
Lilly Ledbetter's husband, Charles Ledbetter, passed away in December 2008.
2009: Passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act
The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act was passed by the 111th United States Congress in 2009.
2009: Passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act
The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act was signed into law in 2009, amending Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to loosen the timeliness requirements for filing discrimination lawsuits.
2011: Ledbetter Decision Cited in Over 350 Cases
By 2011, the Ledbetter decision had been cited in over 350 cases since its issuance in 2009.
2011: Induction into the National Women's Hall of Fame
Lilly Ledbetter was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 2011.
February 2012: Release of "Grace and Grit"
Lilly Ledbetter's memoir, "Grace and Grit: My Fight for Equal Pay and Fairness at Goodyear and Beyond," was published in February 2012.
September 4, 2012: Speech at the Democratic National Convention
Lilly Ledbetter addressed the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, on September 4, 2012, emphasizing the importance of equal pay.
October 31, 2012: Appearance on The Colbert Report
Lilly Ledbetter appeared as a guest on The Colbert Report on October 31, 2012 to discuss her memoir, "Grace and Grit: My Fight for Equal Pay and Fairness at Goodyear and Beyond".
October 10, 2024: Premiere of "Lilly" at Hamptons International Film Festival
The film "Lilly," which tells the story of Lilly Ledbetter and stars Patricia Clarkson, premiered at the Hamptons International Film Festival on October 10, 2024.
October 12, 2024: Death of Lilly Ledbetter
Lilly Ledbetter passed away on October 12, 2024.