By MARY GILBERT
President Obama this morning signed the first legislation he received from Congress, a bill against wage discrimination whose namesake took the stage with him in a White House ceremony.
The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act makes it easier for workers to sue their employers for unequal pay under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, affirming that they can bring charges within 180 days of any affected paycheck. Vice President Biden, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and members of Congress from both parties were on hand for the signing, and a noisy group of supporters broke into cheers when Ledbetter took her place next to the president. "It is fitting that with the very first bill I sign... 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 told the audience.
The president argued that equal pay "is by no means just a women's issue -- it's a family issue" that affects countless two-income American households. He noted that gender is not the only basis on which people are discriminated against and said he intended to send the message "that there are no second-class citizens in our workplaces, and that it's not just unfair and illegal but bad for business to pay someone less because of their gender, age, race, ethnicity, religion or disability."
The president framed pay discrimination as a moral, rather than simply an economic matter. "It's a question of who we are -- and whether we're truly living up to our fundamental ideals," he said. Obama also referenced the women in his life -- his grandmother, who became one of the first female vice presidents of the Bank of Hawaii, and his daughters, whom he hopes will "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."
Obama said the Ledbetter bill is just the first in a series of steps that must be taken to eliminate the pay gap between men and women "and ensure that our daughters have the same rights, the same chances, and the same freedom to pursue their dreams as our sons."
To post a comment, you must provide a name and a valid e-mail address. Messages must be limited to 400 words. By using this service you agree not to post material that is obscene, harassing, defamatory, or otherwise objectionable. Although Lost in Transition does not monitor comments posted to this site (and has no obligation to), it reserves the right to delete, edit, or move any material that it deems to be in violation of this rule.
Responded on December 16, 2011 3:13 AM
heluxtech
vERY NICE POST. I've read this
post and if I may I desire to suggest you some interesting things or
suggestions.
heluxtech
Responded on December 9, 2011 12:50 AM
saves
Where did you got this much info on your blog from?? Also can i take the initiave to take the feeds from your blog for my own website?? But cant find the RSS feeds link here!!
drik aloe vera
Ure til kvinder
Responded on November 30, 2011 12:27 AM
michaelmoore
That ws really inspirational and touching article I've ever read. heating federal way | federal way heating
Responded on November 22, 2011 11:13 PM
daytona NASCAR tickets
Mr. President is a great person. <a href="http://www.buyticketscenter.com/daytona-500-tickets/">daytona NASCAR tickets</a>.
Responded on November 9, 2011 3:54 AM
north texas addiction counseling
Big thanks to the presedent honorable Obama.
Responded on November 3, 2011 8:48 AM
johnrenz
This blog is really an informative post. Continue sharing with us and have if have some wedding gifts your new couple.
Responded on November 2, 2011 1:49 AM
chrishanes
thanks for this awesome post. i am now aware of what had happened in the presidency of obama. custom poker table deluxe poker table
Responded on November 2, 2011 1:37 AM
TobyLee
That was an inspirational and touching article I've read. Sometimes things will change that you'll never expected.Kudu Hunting|texas deer hunts
Responded on October 1, 2011 3:58 AM
onlinesolutionproviders
It's the best time
to make a few plans for the future and it's time to be happy. I've read this
post and if I may I desire to suggest you some interesting things or
suggestions.
online accounting
Responded on September 15, 2011 9:36 PM
North Face Sale
Thanks to trendy celebs, stylish college kids and outdoor enthusiast,finding The North Face jackets on sale at your local Macy’s or Nordstroms is not so easy to do. The North Face company, a premiere maker of outerwear and outdoors equipment still thrills and satisfies the apparel and fashion forward needs of their staunch brand supporters.In addition to shopping the north face sale at company’s own website, you can find really good discount North Face sale at several authorized online retailers.
Responded on September 6, 2011 11:57 PM
cheap north face jackets
It is well known that Mens North Face jackets are an all-around winter outerwear. It is the perfect outerwear in harsh weather conditions. No matter what kind of outdoor activity you are engaged in during the winter,The cheap north face jackets will keep you comfortable and warm.These jackets are made from Polartec 300 fleece that has been treated with a DWR (durable water repellent) finish. These jackets have abrasion resistant nylon overlays on the upper body and elbow. You can expect your cheap north face to last for many years.
Responded on June 7, 2011 6:15 AM
held
thanks for your sharing, I appreciate this. keep up the good work
Sunglasses Sale
Responded on May 11, 2011 11:31 PM
p90x
Hair styling is never made easy until hair flat iron hit the market. For all the ladies out there, you have all the tools and treatments that will help you with your hair design.|p90x
Responded on January 29, 2009 2:44 PM
Stephanie
This is long overdue, but I'm not sure it's going to make much of a difference. As a society we need to start raising our daughters to ASK for what they want rather than politely waiting for someone to notice them: