According to her family, Ledbetter died from respiratory failure on Saturday. The family shared in a statement on Sunday that “She was surrounded by her family and loved ones. Our mother led an extraordinary life.”

Born and raised in Alabama, Ledbetter began her career at the Goodyear Tire & Rubber plant in Gadsden, Alabama, in 1979, starting at the same pay level as her male counterparts. During her 19 years at the company, she advanced to a salaried supervisory position.

However, in 1998, just before her retirement, she received an anonymous tip informing her that male supervisors were earning substantially more than her—up to 40% higher. Ledbetter later stated that she was unaware of the pay disparity until she received that tip.

Ledbetter initially filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, then proceeded to sue Goodyear for wage discrimination based on Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Pay Act of 1963.

“After nearly two decades of dedicated work, I discovered that I was earning significantly less than the men doing the same job,” Ledbetter recounted during a speech at the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. “I discussed it with my husband, and we chose to fight back.”

A jury ruled in her favor regarding the Civil Rights Act claim, awarding her over $3.5 million in back pay, punitive damages, and compensation for emotional distress. This amount was later reduced to $360,000, which is the statutory cap for such cases.

However, in 2005, the 11^th Circuit Court of Appeals, followed by a 5-4 ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court two years later, overturned the decision. They determined that any legal action must have taken place within 180 days after the initial instance of discrimination.

In response to this ruling, Congress acted two years later, enacting the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which extended the statute of limitations for filing an equal-pay lawsuit to 180 days each time a discriminatory paycheck is issued.

Tributes pour in for Lilly Ledbetter from U.S. leaders and activists

The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act was the first piece of legislation signed by President Barack Obama in January 2009, where Ledbetter was present during the signing ceremony.

“Lilly Ledbetter never intended to become a trailblazer or a known figure,” Obama said in a social media statement on Sunday. “She simply sought to be compensated equally for her hard work. Yet, this grandmother from Alabama fought persistently until I signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act into law as my first act as president.”

“Lilly embodied the spirit of many Americans, aspiring for herself and even greater aspirations for her children and grandchildren,” the former president stated. “Michelle and I deeply appreciate her advocacy and friendship, and we extend our love and prayers to her family and to those who continue the battle she started.”

Other prominent leaders in the U.S., including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also honored Ledbetter on social media. In individual statements on Monday, both President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris expressed their commitment to “upholding Lilly’s legacy and enhancing equal pay protections for all workers.”

“Before becoming a household name, Lilly represented countless women in the workforce, working diligently yet finding out they were compensated less than men for the same roles,” Biden remarked.

Union leaders and advocates for women’s rights commemorated Ledbetter and shared their respects on social media. Liz Shuler, president of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), labeled Ledbetter a “pioneer and a defender of equity and fairness.”

Noreen Farrell, director of Equal Rights Advocates, noted on X that Ledbetter “ignited new legislation and inspired a generation to advocate for wage equality for all.”

Fatima Goss Graves, president, and CEO of the National Women’s Law Center, highlighted Ledbetter’s continuous fight for equal pay.

“Even in her 80s, Lilly never hesitated to travel across the nation, motivating women to actively advocate for wage equality. In her final NPR interview in January 2024, she expressed her hope to witness the end of the wage gap,” Graves stated. “Lilly Ledbetter became the cherished symbol of equal pay, and the National Women’s Law Center will continue the fight for recognition of women’s worth in their careers—holding onto the belief that Lilly’s dream of equal compensation for all will one day be achieved.”

‘Her journey continues to motivate us all’

In 2012, Ledbetter published a memoir titled “Grace and Grit: My Fight for Equal Pay and Fairness at Goodyear and Beyond,” stating in a 2011 interview with The Gadsen Times, part of the YSL News Network, that her aim was to ensure “future generations” would understand “the history.”

She remained a strong advocate for pay equity throughout her life, telling The Times in 2011 that “it’s the right thing to do, and that’s who I am.”

In 2011, Ledbetter was honored with induction into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls, New York. She recently received the Future Is Female Lifetime Achievement Award from Advertising Week, and a film titled “Lilly,” which centers on her case and features Patricia Clarkson in the lead role, premiered last week.

The film’s team expressed their sadness on Sunday following Ledbetter’s passing.

“We were greatly inspired by her, and she has motivated countless women and workers globally. Lilly’s legacy embodies bravery and determination; she identified unfairness and fought valiantly for justice,” the creators of “Lilly” stated. “Her influence continues to resonate across the nation and beyond. Lilly is an everyday person who accomplished remarkable feats, and her narrative remains a source of inspiration for us all.”