Kathy Toister, President, , AAUW Redlands, Lilly Ledbetter, Jane Roberts, Chair LAF, Alicia Hetman, President AAUW-CA

Lilly Ledbetter

 By  Taffy  Geith

    On Wednesday, March 5, four members of the Riverside Branch of AAUW motored (bravely) to the University of Redlands to attend the Redlands Branch meeting and buffet at 5:15 PM to honor Lilly Ledbetter.  We were welcomed with warm words by both, Redlands Branch President, Kathy Toister, and  AAUW CA president, Alicia Hetman, before partaking of a lovely buffet.  The Casa Roma room provides a beautiful setting, and the Redlands Branch is known for its gracious hospitality.  Jane Roberts, Legal Advocacy Fund Chair, introduced Lilly who then gave a brief summary of her story.  Lilly thanked AAUW for its support early in her struggles and is still extremely grateful to Lisa Maatz of AAUW for being her constant and continuing ally in Washington, DC.  (AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund provided the Redlands Branch a grant for this event,  which was co-sponsored by the U. of Redlands through their Women’s Center Studies.)

       Redlands Branch President, Kathy Toister, used this opportunity to conduct a short meeting in order to vote on the changed bylaws, introduce special guests, CarolAnn Ford, Director, Branch Support, and Sharon Westafer, Director of Funds, as well as make further announcements.   There were members from nine other Branches of AAUW CA present at this occasion.   The meeting was adjourned in order for attendees to walk to the Chapel to hear Lilly give a full account of her strong stand for equality for women.

     University students, and interested members of the public joined the AAUW CA members in the Chapel to hear Lilly Ledbetter’s full story. After introductions, Lilly began by reminding everyone that JFK passed the Equal Pay Law fifty years ago in 1963 – intending to end pay discrimination.  She recounted the whole of her experiences including all the pertinent details that appear in her book, Grace and Grit.  Because space is limited here, only an abbreviated account is put forth.  Lilly worked at Goodyear Tire & Rubber in Gadsden, Alabama on the overnight shift from 7 PM to 7 AM.  After nearly twenty  years on the job, an anonymous note appeared in her mailbox, telling her that she was underpaid in comparison to the three male workers who did the same job as she did.  She went to see a lawyer at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and after he determined it a “best case”, she got a lawyer in Birmingham who filed a suit and went to trial in 1998.  She was awarded a large settlement, which was later capped.  The case went to the Supreme Court in 2006 and she lost.  Judge Alieto wrote the opinion: she had waited too long before presenting her case.  She did not deserve any compensation.  Lilly felt compelled to work on the Lilly Ledbetter bill.  She testified before both Houses of Congress twice to get the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act passed.  It was the first bill signed into law by President Obama in 2009.  President Obama said he signed this bill for his grandmother and for his daughters.  He said, “Making our economy work, means it works for everyone”.

     Lilly referred to the unwavering support of her husband until his death.  He was vital to her success.  She mentioned some unusual factors about Goodyear Tire and Rubber:  They forbade their workers to discuss their salaries and never posted the cost of living adjustments.  Too, Goodyear offered her $10,000.00 if she would drop the charges, — she refused.  Her lawyer has never received any money for his work on her case, not even from the sales of her book.  He even bought her plane ticket to Washington, DC.   This is surely a rarity.  The Supreme Court ruling generated a lot of media coverage, –NBC, and CNN came to her home, and even Norman Lear came and made videos.  She loved it.  This attention and publicity would influence women and girls to realize that equal pay for equal work mattered. She campaigned with Barack and Michelle Obama, and spoke at the Democratic Convention in 2008.

     Lilly Ledbetter is a name for the history books.  She felt a kinship with Rosa Parks (she mentioned Rosa several times) – they each dared to challenge a “force” in society that was unfair.  Lilly has a law with her name on it and, hopefully, it will bring even greater results in the future.  Lilly praised AAUW time and again because she is “in sync” with the mission of AAUW – equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy and research.   Lilly’s book Grace and Grit gives a much fuller account of her struggles in the workplace, and provides insight into her life of hard work that undoubtedly formed her strength of character and indomitable spirit.