**Women's Equality Advocate Lilly Ledbetter Passes Away at 86**

Lilly Ledbetter, a crusader for women's pay equality whose relentless efforts led to the historic Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, passed away on Saturday at the age of 86. Her passing was confirmed by her speaking manager, Jodi Solomon, on Monday.

Ledbetter, born in Jacksonville, Ala., began her career as a supervisor at a Goodyear tire plant in Gadsden, Ala., in 1979. It wasn't until several years later that she discovered, thanks to an anonymous note, that she was being paid less than her male counterparts holding the same position. “When I saw that, it took my breath away. I felt humiliated. I felt degraded,” Ledbetter shared in a 2009 interview with NPR. In response, she filed a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) after her first day off.

This action in 1998 marked the beginning of a decade-long legal battle. Shortly after learning of the pay disparity, Ledbetter retired from Goodyear and filed a gender discrimination lawsuit in 1999. She initially won the case in 2003, receiving an award of over $3 million, which was later reduced to $300,000 due to statutory limits along with $60,000 in back pay. Goodyear appealed the decision, arguing that Ledbetter was only entitled to damages for the 180 days before her claim. The U.S. Supreme Court agreed in 2007 in a narrow 5-4 decision.

However, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg voiced a strong dissent, asserting that Ledbetter's case was not time-barred and suggested that the issue was a matter for Congress. Inspired by this dissent, Congress acted less than two years later, resulting in the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009. This legislation amended the Civil Rights Act of 1964, allowing employees to claim relief and back pay for up to two years before filing their charges. President Barack Obama signed the bill into law on January 29, 2009, making it the first legislation he signed as president.

In tribute to her legacy, former President Barack Obama remarked, “Lilly Ledbetter never set out to be a trailblazer or a household name. She just wanted to be paid the same as a man for her hard work.” He further expressed his gratitude for her advocacy, stating, "Michelle and I are grateful for her advocacy and her friendship, and we send our love and prayers to her family and everyone who is continuing the fight that she began."

Ledbetter's dedication to pay equity continues to inspire. Recently, she was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from Advertising Week for her work on equal pay. Moreover, a film detailing her life and struggles titled "Lilly" has been showcased at various screenings nationwide, ensuring her story and legacy endure.