by Fatima Goss Graves, Senior Counsel
National Women's Law Center
Last night Lilly Ledbetter was honored by the National Women’s Law Center at its 35th Anniversary Awards Dinner -– Happy Birthday NWLC!
I’ve told Ms. Ledbetter’s story countless times –- on this blog, on the Hill, in public speaking engagements ... you get the point. But last night I had the privilege of both meeting Ms. Ledbetter in person and listening to her address the almost 1,200 dinner attendees and I was, well, inspired. In fact, listening to Ms. Ledbetter’s firsthand account made me shake my head again at the gift that the Supreme Court gave employers last term by effectively allowing them to hide pay discrimination until it is too late for employees to challenge it.
As an attorney who works on these antidiscrimination issues, you won’t be surprised that I was moved by Ms. Ledbetter’s selfless commitment to equality. But I noticed that the people sitting at nearby tables -– most of whom do not live and breathe antidiscrimination law -– also were inspired.
It’s clear that for Ms. Ledbetter this is not just about her own pay discrimination claim -– she’s taking her message on the road to make sure that future women will have all the tools that they need to fight invidious pay discrimination. Let’s hope the Senate, too, will be so moved that it takes action on the Fair Pay Restoration Act.
We all owe to it Ms. Ledbetter.
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