The became the first bill that president obama signed into law, giving workers expanded rights to sue when an employee learns of discriminatory treatment well after it has started.

The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act became the first bill that President Obama signed into law giving workers expanded rights to sue when an employee learns of discriminatory treatment well after it has started.

Lilly Ledbetter is a woman who fought for fair pay after learning that her male coworkers earned significantly more than she did for equal work. It took her ten years of fighting for her battle to end up in the Supreme Court and result in the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act.

The bill was signed into law on January 29, 2009. The law does not mean that a person can file a lawsuit at any time, but it does give a sixth-month window for a fair pay lawsuit every time a worker receives a paycheck. Ledbetter unfortunately was out of this six month window, but she did pave the way for others who are receiving unfair pay, and also shine a light on the continuing practice.

Subject: History

Level: middle school

Topic: Government

Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act, President Obama, fair pay, equal pay

Lilly Ledbetter Act: link

President Obama's First Bill: link