Lilly Ledbetter coming to Akron March 10

Lilly Ledbetter and Pres. Barack Obama

Lilly Ledbetter, a tireless advocate for pay equity for women, will speak in Akron on March 10, 2010, as part of Women’s History Month activities sponsored by the Women’s Studies Program at the University of Akron.

Her speech will begin at 7 p.m. in the Student Union Theatre on the UA campus.

Ledbetter worked for Goodyear Tire, a company based in Akron, for 19 years, when she learned she had been paid less than her male colleagues. She sued Goodyear and won, but the ruling was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Last January, Congress approved the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which expands workers’ rights to sue in cases like Lilly’s by relaxing the statute of limitations. It was the first bill signed by President Barack Obama.

AAUW played a key role in the bill’s passage. And AAUW leadership had a front row seat at the bill signing. In turn, Lilly spoke at AAUW’s 2009 National Convention with its theme “Breaking Through Barriers.”

Read more about Lilly’s inspiring struggle for equal pay for women. Watch a YouTube video. Then mark your calendars for her appearance in Akron.

For more information, call 330-972-7008.