Obama Signs Lilly Ledbetter Act

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-eiM2S4Eqg

–updated and edited with new content–

I’d like to add a little color to what happened this morning. First, President Obama now has his BlackBerry clipped to his belt. But on the Ledbetter signing, VPOUS Biden, who created the Violence Against Women Act, and Secretary Clinton, a champion for women in the workplace and an original co-sponsor of the bill, were in the room. President Obama entered with Ms. Ledbetter, and it’s clear from reports that he is not only very much at ease, but taking this all in stride. Obama announced this morning that “we’re going to start giving our pens to our co-sponsors.” With the very last pen, President Obama stated, “This one, this one’s for Lilly.”

Ms. Ledbetter is 70 years old. But she got her day and with it, finally, justice.

“We are upholding one of this nation’s first principles: that we are all created equal and each deserve a chance to pursue our own version of happiness,” Obama said before signing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act, which makes clear that workers may bring a lawsuit for up to six months after they receive any paycheck that they allege is discriminatory.

” . . . While this bill bears her name, Lilly knows this story isn’t just about her,” Obama said. “It’s the story of women across this country still earning just 78 cents for every dollar men earn — women of color even less — which means that today, in the year 2009, countless women are still losing thousands of dollars in salary, income and retirement savings over the course of a lifetime.”

… “And I sign this bill for my daughters, and all those who will come after us,” Obama added, “because I want them to grow up in a nation that values their contributions, where there are no limits to their dreams and they have opportunities their mothers and grandmothers never could have imagined.”

Before Obama entered with Ledbetter, Rep. Steny Hoyer, for whatever reason, said “Let’s not screw it up. It’s a good day so far.” Everyone laughed, though it’s not clear to me if it was with Mr. Hoyer or at his expense. But I have a built in gag reflex to this type of humor.

UPDATE: Mrs. Obama hosted a reception for Ledbetter after the signing. Here are Ms. Ledbetter’s remarks:

“Words cannot begin to describe how honored and humbled I feel today. When I filed my claim against Goodyear with the EEOC ten years ago, never, never did I imagine the path that it would lead me down. “I have spent the past two years since the Supreme Court decision in my case, fighting for equal pay for this, but to watch him sign a bill that bears my name, a bill that will help women and others fight pay discrimination in the workplace is truly overwhelming. Goodyear will never have to pay me what it cheated me out of. I will never see a cent from my case. But with the passage and the president’s signature today, I have an even richer reward.” “I know my daughters and granddaughters and your daughters and your granddaughters will have a better deal. That’s what makes this fight worth fighting, that’s what makes this fight one we had to win. Now with this win we will make a big difference in the real world. On behalf of all the women in this country who will once again be able to fight pay discrimination, thank you.”