Ledbetter Fair Pay Act - Equal Pay Update!!

One of the legislative priorities for BPW USA has been the passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. This bill would give employees more time to file lawsuits in cases of job discrimination. Currently an employee must file within 180 days of experiencing discrimination.

Lilly Ledbetter has become the national symbol of this legislation. She worked for Goodyear for 20 years. Shortly before she retired she learned that she has been paid significantly less than the men who did the same job. She sued and won. However, Goodyear appealed to the Supreme Court which overturned her victory based on the 180 day rule.

The House of Representative on January 9, 2009 passed the bill again! However, the vote reveals that only three Republicans voted for the bill. The battle for pay equity is far from over!

On January 16, 2009, the Senate voted on cloture, meaning that there would not be a filibuster. However, several senators have indicated that they will try to modify the bill. This includes Arlen Specter of Illinois and Kay Bailey Hutchinson of Texas. The bill did pass the Senate on January 22.

Women are particularly affected by lack of equal pay. Not only does it affect current income, but retirement income is also impacted.

Colorado has two new senators, Mark Udall and Michael Bennett. Please encourage them to support equal pay for equal work! Also a second bill, The Paycheck Fairness Act, which would close loopholes that enable employers to circumvent liability when they pay women less than men for the same work, is under consideration.

The Ledbetter Act was the first piece of legislation that President Obama signed! It was signed on January 29, 2009. This may finally encourage companies to review their compensation practices and create a fair pay system.


BPW: An Organization of Firsts

Based on the premise of women helping women, Business and Professional Women/USA was the first organization to focus on issues of workingwomen.

BPW/USA was one of the first women’s organizations to endorse the Equal Rights Amendment in 1937.

Business and Professional Women’s (BPW) Foundation became the first foundation dedicated to conducting research and providing information solely about workingwomen, in 1956.

BPW Foundation was the first 501 (c)(3), women’s organization to have its articles of incorporation signed by a woman, Marguerite Rawalt.

BPW/USA is the first and only non-governmental agency offering assistance to transitioning women veterans through the Women Joining Forces: Closing Ranks, Opening Doors (WJF) program.

BPW Foundation was the first foundation to offer scholarships to assist workingwomen with career advancement and education goals in 1972.

BPW/USA was one of the first organizations to lobby for and lead in the passage of Title IX in 1972.

BPW/USA established National Business Women’s Week in 1928, to celebrate women’s accomplishments and their contribution to the workforce and the economic success of the nation.

President Kennedy recognized BPW/USA as a leader in the passage of the Equal Pay Act with the first pen he used to sign the Act into law.