Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome...
Lilly Ledbetter, from
Jacksonville, Alabama.
Thank you.
Good evening.
My name is Lilly Ledbetter.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Many of you are
probably asking,
"Who's that Alabama
grandma at the podium?"
I can assure you, nobody is
more surprised or humbled...
than I am.
I'm here to talk about
America's commitment to
fairness...
and equality,
and how people like me --
and like you -- suffer...
when that
commitment is betrayed.
Ahh!
Good catch there, b*tch.
I'll get the hang of it.
Sure you will!
Sure.
Mm.
So, the key...
is body position.
Legs wide...
and the knees bent.
All right?
Oh, there you go.
I've got it.
Okay!
Trainee...
All right,
y'all, listen up!
Now, my name's Andy Guthrie,
I'ma tell you how this whole
process works, all right?
You got six months to prove to
us you've got what it takes to
be a supervisor.
Only problem is I only
got spaces for five,
so you're gonna be rotating
from department to department,
learning the entire process,
at the end of which we're
gonna evaluate your
performance and observe your
leadership skills, all right?
Y'all got it?
Here's some rubber, boys!
Y'all right?
I'll be fine.
- Hey.
- Hi.
Kids get down all right?
Yeah.
Phil give you some trouble?
Not tonight.
What?
What's this?
547 dollars, Goodyear Tire.
What...
What the hell is this?
In Life Magazine, an article
about how they were looking to
diversify their
management program.
Ah...
You went and got a job...
without even talking to me.
-I support this family!
-Don't wake the kids.
You
asked me a hundred times;
what'd I say to you?!
Those kids need their
mother, I need my wife!
You work three
jobs, and we're behind.
Two months late
on electricity,
roof leaks...
If I'm earning, you
can get your degree,
transfer into
officer training.
Imagine, instead of building
latrines and barracks on the
base, you could be
a First Lieutenant,
calling the shots!
Times are changing.
What, taking a man's job?!
Well, that's exactly what
they're gonna say!
You used to like that I
was different from the other
girls, that I had
dreams, ambitions.
You think what some
dumbass says matters?
If I'm working, the
whole family does better!
Why does that
make you feel bad?!
-Why?!
-I don't know, it just does!
I've put up with your
pride for a long time;
I'm not gonna do it anymore.
I want the kids
to go to college,
I want a...
a nice house with a yard!
I want a big kitchen.
I know you want that too.
You went...
You went behind my back.
I'm sorry.
Jesus, all right...
You gonna do whatever the
hell you want to anyway.
Damn it.
Are you...
- are you okay?
- Yeah, I'm good.
One of
my most satisfying terms on
the Court was the
Lilly Ledbetter case.
Lilly Ledbetter was
an area manager at a
Goodyear Tire plant.
It was a job that
had been held...
dominantly by men.
The five pallets were
received and signed for?
Yes,
yes, ma'am, we got it.
And the radials, and
the-- the cross plys?
Mm-hm.
That's a good job, Johnny.
Thank you.
Hey.
I read the report.
We don't abide
hearsay at Goodyear.
If this female would like
to bring a charge of her own
herself...
well, then, uh...
we could take it from there.
Every
woman of Lilly's generation
knew...
that if you are
the first woman...
in a field that has
been occupied by men,
you don't want to be
known as a complainer,
you don't want
to rock the boat.
Leave me alone!
Aw, come on, Darby!
We wanna have a little fun!
Where ya going?
Go git 'er, boy!
Git 'er!
C'mere!
- What the hell's going on here?
- Get off of me!
Let that girl up right now!
-They're pigs!
-Come on, Darby, let's go.
Hey...Princess.
You had your
fun, now it's over.
You know, that whole
schoolmarm thing you've got
goin' on is a real turn-on.
I bet you're a naughty girl.
Really?
C'mon, Tris,
let's get outta here.
Maybe next time, girls!
See you 'round!
-We'll file a report.
-I don't want to.
I could get fired.
If we don't put
an end to this,
somebody's gonna get...
really hurt next time.
I need this job!
Hey.
They moved you?!
Turn off the potatoes and...
don't
forget to turn off the oven.
Broken record, Ma.
You're early.
What's
wrong, you sick?
Are you drunk?
Coach found him under the
bleachers during practice.
-Drinking?!
-Or worse, I bet.
-Shut up!
-Hey! Hey!
You don't talk to
your sister like that!
How could you do
this to your team, Phillip?
Disrespect your
coach, your friends?
They're
not my friends.
I quit two weeks ago.
Huh!
Two weeks ago.
Aw, come on, Phillip,
you love football!
You love football.
The whole thing's
a waste of time!
This has got to stop!
Every day it's something!
- You're such a b*tch!
- Hey!
You don't talk to
your mother like that!
Hey, you come back here!
Are you're a
little freak twin.
I'm going to work.
Unconscious bias remains.
The other is what's
been called "the work-life
balance."
How do we order the work life
so that a person can have a
home life as well, and be
part of raising the children?
Hey, Pops!
Where were you this morning?
You were supposed
to help unload.
The trucks left an hour ago.
Good morning, Mother.
Who's that?
Caroline and I are
headed to California.
She got a receptionist
job at a record company,
- and I'm gonna learn to surf.
- Hey, y'all!
Hey...
that's very funny.
I'm dead serious!
We got it all planned out:
the maps, the routes, where
to stop for the best pie.
- I love pie.
- We're...
we're just moving in, Phillip.
How long have we been
talking about this?
You cannot drop
out of college;
-we pay your tuition!
-Told you not to.
And-- and
what about your job?
Did you even call
and give notice?
-I'll bet you didn't!
-All right, now, come on!
Phil, I don't understand!
When you graduate,
you can make decisions.
-Until then--
-I'm plenty capable of making
my own decisions.
Now, what I need is...
-California here we come!
-Woo!
At least wait 'til the
end of the semester, all right?
You can't make
decisions like this!
Your mother just fixed up your
room for you! Now, come on, son!
I'm not
living like this anymore.
I can't do anything
right around here.
Come on...
Take
care of yourself.
And now,
the Tri-county Finals,
bringing these dancers one step
closer to our Alabama regionals.
Lilly and Hector
with a wonderful waltz!
They put me back
on the floor yesterday.
To punish me for
filing too many reports.
You should just drop me off.
What, in that?
I got a change in my locker.
By the time we get home,
I'm just gonna have to turn
around.
Where are you gonna sleep?
Well, there's a cot
in the infirmary.
-What's that for?
-We can catch a few hours.
Here?!
There's no reason for you to
have a bad night's sleep just
'cause of me.
I can't think of a better one.
Come on.
Even though I had
some of the best production
numbers on record,
management always found ways
to demote me back to the floor.
It was hard
working in that place.
Hard being a woman.
It felt like walking
in a minefield --
never knew when I'd
take the wrong step.
19 years.
Things only got worse.
It's the pensions that are
k*lling automotive, not Asia.
Let's push the early buyout,
dangle that quick pot of gold.
Let's get some
young blood in here.
Lower pay rates,
then the herd.
It's good for the economy.
Let's get rid of
the damn dead wood!
I put up with a lot
for the sake of that paycheck.
With all due respect, sir,
these people have worked long
and hard for their pensions.
Consider it done, Mr. Vogel.
All right, then!
Let's go back to work!
Lilly!
Call the medic!
Ah, you gotta be
more careful, girl!
Lilly!
Oh, my gosh!
Okay, we've got some
help coming, all right?
Oh, my God.
We're getting you help, okay?
Those assholes
did this on purpose.
Oh, Lilly, it's
gonna be all right.
C'mon, gimme your purse.
It was nice of the
kids to come over.
I thought they'd cheer you up.
-Hey!
-Hey!
Something sure
smells good in there.
Phil made a roast.
-The kids baked cupcakes.
-Oh!
Mama...
You can't let this eat you up.
Oh, Vicky, I
just hope I'll dance again.
It is so
great to see you, Mr. VP!
How's Akron treating you?
We can say that
we knew him when!
How's the kids?
How's Dorothy?
Everybody's great.
It's nice to be back.
Why was I not in that meeting?
Percy...
Well, Lilly, the penalty
on your demotion is back to
-working the floor.
-I'm contesting the demotion!
I'm still a supervisor!
Has he even finished training?!
Lilly...
you need to calm down.
Sometimes, in
life, you hit a turning point,
and that was it for me.
I can't take it anymore.
Every day, it's something.
How long have
you worked there?
Just shy of 20 years.
Have you complained?
Every time I did,
I'd get demoted.
They told me I could move up
if I'd meet 'em at the Ramada.
A woman ain't worth
nothin' if she don't put out.
Maybe in law school,
they don't pull that crap.
Men are the same
everywhere, Mrs. Ledbetter.
At first, it was
just...shenanigans --
teasing, getting touched
whenever they felt like it.
Schoolboy nonsense, really.
But then, it was...
"You took a man's job."
I had my tires slashes,
my windshield busted,
tobacco juice
poured all over my car.
It was a free-for-all, and
everybody is related to some
uncle or cousin --
if you complain,
they just say...
"We don't mess with kin."
Shouldn't a company be
responsible for how their
people act?!
Violations are hard to prove.
This pedestal...
that many of us have
thought women are on,
in reality...
too often turns
out to be a cage.
Uh, Mrs. Ledbetter,
this is Mike Quinn.
His name is on the door and he's
gonna ask you some questions.
Mrs. Ledbetter,
thank you for coming in.
Nice meetin' you.
I'm sorry for what you've
been going through, ma'am!
I guess my first
question is, uh...
do you think you might've been
singled out for some reason?
You mean 'cause I'm
smarter than the lot of 'em?
Most of 'em barely read.
What about other women?
Do you think that they
had similar experiences?
Most girls can't
stomach the floor,
or have the training
to be area managers,
engineer techs,
or supervisors.
I don't understand why you
stayed under such miserable
circumstances.
Why?
A supervisor position
at Goodyear was the
highest-paying job
in the county, by far!
That's-- that's new shoes for
my kids and more than fried
bologna for dinner!
Certainly, no amount of
money is worth your health and
safety!
I haven't had the privilege
to see it that way, Mr. Quinn.
When our son was little, he
had ear infections all the
time, but we couldn't afford the
operation to put the tubes in.
So, the doctor, he
suggested I get into a program
where women were being paid...
to let surgeons
practice on 'em.
Hysterectomies.
He said I should have my
uterus and ovaries removed to
pay for the ears.
Believe me, I
thought about it.
I'm a hard-worker.
That's just who I am.
So, what do you
think, do I have a case?
I would love to
whoop Goodyear's a*s.
But...
we need to get 'em on
environmental negligence or...
patent violations, or wage
and hour class action --
something with teeth.
But they have
government contracts;
don't they have to
do things right?
There's no federal law
that mandates compliance.
Your workers were protected,
but only because of their
union.
Supervisors don't
have any protection.
From a
legal standpoint...
there's nothing we can do.
Without a doubt, your
treatment was an abomination.
Mrs. Ledbetter, I'm sorry.
It was very nice meeting you.
Good luck.
Thank
you for coming in.
-Can I...
-No.
My employer treated
me like a second-class citizen
because I'm a woman.
I gave them 20 years.
You think they should get
away with how they treated me?
No.
No, I do not.
Look, we take these cases
on a contingency basis,
so your complaint has to fit
into a very specific violation
or else there's just not
enough of a guarantee,
and we don't get
paid unless we win.
But...
if you can find
me some evidence,
something specific -- I need
substantiation to build you a
case.
Okay?
It was...a real
pleasure to meet you.
Can I help you
down the stairs?
- Hey, Lilly!
- Hey.
sh**t...
Lilly...
I'm running late to a meeting.
Do you mind putting this on
Mr. Dawkins' desk for me?
-Sure.
-Thanks, hon.
-Take care.
-Thank you.
My God...
Stealing company property!
You're really something.
What you got in there, huh?
You don't have the right!
Tell you what...
I'm gonna give you a choice.
We press charges, or you sign
the buyout of your contract.
Either way, you're
getting outta here for good.
He'll escort you to your car.
Come on.
Hey, what do you
think you're doing?!
- Stop right there!
- I gotta get my things.
We will ship
it all to your house!
It's my stuff.
It's-- it's my kids' things.
That's all I want.
Get out.
I'll send you that buyout!
I suggest you
sign it right away!
All right, let's get back
to work! The show's over!
Now, the way I see it,
we've got four causes for
-litigation.
-Great.
One is equal pay -- willful
actions they took with wages
transfers, promotions,
raises, evaluations.
That note that you gave us
gives us a hell of a lot of
-ammunition.
-Well, they cheated me. -Mm-hm.
Two is Title VII for
disparate treatment,
three is working in a
hostile work environment,
and four is age discrimination
-- she was replaced by a kid
-in, what, his 20s?
-That's right.
Title VII cases
have caps on damages.
This is never
gonna be a big payday.
You think I'm doing
this for the money?
But this is not clear-cut,
with limited upside and...
you're looking
to make partner!
I'ma trust my gut.
Okay, then.
Good luck!
Okay!
Well...
here we go.
That looks good!
How do you feel?
Oh, like-- like the Tin Man.
You ready for regionals?
I would trade a thousand
regionals for the chance to
beat Goodyear.
But they warned me
that it could take years.
Are you sure
you're up for this?
The lawyers want me in
Birmingham in the morning
-but--
-What time do you wanna leave?
Come here.
Oh...
You
made me love you
I didn't wanna do it
I didn't wanna do it
You made me want you
And all the
time, you knew it
I guess you
always knew it
You said you
needed to talk to me.
Mm!
You change your mind?
Something happen?
No, no, nothing like that, no.
No, I, um...
We just..
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
I just, uh...
I wanted to take the
opportunity to talk to you
about the trial.
Um, trials are rough stuff.
Opposing counsel's gonna
put you through the wringer,
and I want you to
be ready for that.
I grew up with no
electricity, no plumbing,
stepped over snakes on
the way to the outhouse.
My grandpa was a mean drunk,
and beat my mama up regular.
And though she never told me,
she loved me my whole life.
When he came
after me one night,
she held a knife
to his throat,
so I know a thing or
two about rough stuff,
Mr. Goldfarb.
What's this?
That is due diligence.
The court needs to see Lilly
Ledbetter as more than just a
factory manager,
although I do have to say,
Lilly Ledbetter, the
cheerleader and ballroom
dancer was, uh, a
bit of a surprise.
Mm.
"Girl Gumption."
Oh, Lord...
I wanted that uniform so bad,
but my mother saw the world
another way -- said I
wasn't the cheerleader type.
I baked up a storm,
sold cakes at church --
it was Charles' idea.
I got that uniform.
We were married...
several months later.
Is she still with us?
- Edna?
- Mm.
Lost her some time back.
Mm.
She was like a dog who'd
been kicked around too much.
It doesn't make the dog bad.
She wanted me prepared for
the world the way she saw it.
Made me who I am.
I'm grateful.
Uh...
we need to talk about you
getting me some witnesses,
Folks who are gonna be willing
to testify on your behalf,
counter Goodyear's claims.
That is gonna be very
crucial to our case.
Now, uh...
I suggest the crying
tiger tofu if you like spicy,
which I do.
Debra!
Debra!
What are you doing here?!
I need somebody
to tell the truth.
Please!
Lilly, I want to help you.
I do.
But the company matches my
contributions for Courtney's
disability!
I can't jeopardize that!
I won't.
Mrs.
Ledbetter, folks...
let's look at exhibit one:
area manager base
salary comparison chart.
Now...
what does that mean to you?
Well, that's my
income last year,
along with all the other
supervisors' salaries.
But... we had no way of
knowing what anybody was making.
And why is that?
Well, the first thing you had
to do when you were hired was
sign
non-disclosure agreements.
If you talked
about what you earned,
you'd be fired.
Goodyear
was...strict about that.
Now, your income is
15,000 dollars less
than other managers
who are on this list,
and if you include
overtime, it is half...
half of what the
men are making.
You know why that might be?
No, sir, I do not.
Do you think it might
be because you're a woman?
- Objection! Leading the
witness! - Sustained.
Withdrawn.
Mrs. Ledbetter, when you
began your career at Goodyear,
how many women were in
management positions?
None.
None.
And when you ended your career
at Goodyear 19 years and nine
months later,
how many women...
were in managerial positions?
None.
None.
Thank you.
It was
argued early on that sexual
harassment has nothing to do
with gender discrimination.
Everyone knows
boys will be boys,
and that was...
that was that, but...
there-- there are
state and federal laws --
the laws are there,
the laws are in place.
It takes people...
to step forward and use them.
Mrs. Ledbetter, please tell
the court what occurred on May
17th, 1998.
You mean the fire?
Multiple men treated
for first-degree burns,
hundreds of tires scrapped,
and who did the investigation
-find responsible?
-I-- I was not!
It was a
mechanical malfunction!
Ask Andy Guthrie; he was
the first one on the scene!
In June of 1981, did the
production line stop because
you didn't know the circuitry?
No, they reconfigured
it to sabotage me
to make me look bad!
Production stoppages,
workers' lives at stake--
You cannot connect those two!
Your Honor!
Badgering.
Withdrawn.
Break for lunch!
One hour!
At the
first indication that she was
paid less, the defense
would have been
"Oh, it had nothing to do
with Lilly being a woman.
She just doesn't do
the job as well."
But then, when she's done the
job year after year and gets
good performance ratings...
that defense is no
longer available,
and she has a winnable case.
Mr. Vogel, can you
tell us about your company's
policy regarding pay
increases for plant managers?
Pay for performance, Mr.
Goldfarb, it's very simple.
And what can you tell us about
Mrs. Ledbetter's performance?
Mrs. Ledbetter wants us
to believe that she was
undervalued and underpaid.
She was simply an
underperforming employee.
If she wins, women all over
the country are going to use
this as an excuse to sue.
She was bossy, thought she was
better than everybody else.
Nobody liked working with her.
Nobody.
Her evaluations were weak.
Productivity was subpar.
That woman has serious
issues with authority.
She was not what you'd
call a "team player."
And respect?
She never knew her place
around upper management.
Never.
Women
were hesitant to come forward.
I think one of the
principle reasons for it:
they feared that they
would not be believed.
-Andy...
-I-- I can't be talking to you.
You know I'm a good worker.
It doesn't matter what I know.
It does to me!
Well, then, I'll tell
you straight to your face:
you worked harder and smarter
than any supervisor I ever
trained.
But in there?
No way.
I can't sleep either.
Cowards and bullies.
They wouldn't last one day
if the tables were turned.
20 years of this bullshit.
Did you see that jury, the
way they looked at you?!
And only two women?!
How the hell'd
that happen, huh?!
Jon wants me to smile more.
Don't you dare smile.
It was during my overseas
deployment that I began my--
No...
My duty overseas was the
beginning of a long military
career, for which I
am ever grateful?
Ever grateful? That I'm--
that I'm grateful for? I...
Did you tell them you were
retired with honors and you
practically ran
Fort McClellan?
You built that thing up when
it was nothin' but a cesspool.
Well, it's embarrassing
talking about yourself.
Well, pretend you're
talking to the morning doves!
Yeah, I'd do great in
a room full of birds.
Pastor Robert said
your story was inspiring,
and you can't say no when
you're asked to give testimony
before the congregation.
It's just jitters.
C'mon, we're gonna be late.
Good morning!
Come meet
Congressman McGintry,
running for reelection!
Good morning, y'all.
And remember:
it's your vote that keeps
Alabama industry strong.
Good morning!
Come meet
Congressman Dan McGintry,
-he's running for reelection!
-How are y'all?!
Remember: it's poultry,
automotive, and mining that
makes Alabama great!
Mornin', how
y'all doin' today?
-Pastor!
-It's a fine morning, isn't it?
It
certainly is, Charles.
-Lilly...
-Hello.
I want to give you a heads up:
there's been a
change of plan.
Well, what ever you need!
Well...
we think it may not be the
best idea for you to address
the congregation...
with everything
that's going on right now.
Timing's not good with
that lawsuit and all.
What?!
-Wh-- he--
-Congressman McGintry is, uh,
joining us today.
Washington man running for
reelection -- it's a big honor
for us.
My father was a pastor here.
My grandpa, too.
Four generations
belonged to this ministry.
Of course.
And we're deeply indebted to
your family, Charles.
Let's just...
Let's just revisit
this in a few months,
when everything's
quieted down, how's that?
You think testimony to
the Lord has a right time?
Maybe it's time for you
to review your Matthew,
chapter five, verse ten.
"Blessed are they who are
persecuted for the sake of
righteousness."
C'mon, Lilly.
Jesus...
God!
Lilly?!
Lilly!
- What?! What?!
- Oh...
somebody poisoned the feeders!
-What?!
-Someone...
poisoned the feeders.
Mr. Granger...
thank you for coming all
this way to provide testimony.
It's my pleasure.
When did you
first meet Mrs. Ledbetter?
We started out together
as supervisor trainees.
When you started at Goodyear,
did you have a college
-education?
-No, sir.
I hadn't even
finished high school.
But, since then, with
the company's support,
I've earned my
Bachelor's and an MBA.
An MBA?
Wow.
Now, what is your
current position?
I'm a senior vice president,
North American division,
in Akron, Ohio.
But I won't be, after today.
I've accepted a new
position at a non-profit that
repurposes synthesized
elastomer petroleum --
essentially recycling tires.
Thank you.
Now, Mr. Granger, when
you worked at Goodyear,
were you present at a
meeting in which Mr. Dawkins
criticized Miss
Ledbetter and her performance,
despite the fact that her
production numbers were the
best in the plant?
Yes, I was.
Would you tell the court
what you heard him say?
I apologize, Lilly, you
shouldn't have to hear this.
It's okay, Tim.
He said, "I won't give
that effin' b*tch a raise."
Now, Mr. Granger, with
your fine education,
do you think that you
can calculate for us the
difference in what Mrs.
Ledbetter's income might have
been over the course of her
career if she had had the same
access to salary, raises,
overtime as you and the other
men that she worked with?
Objection!
Speculation -- the witness
is not a qualified expert!
An expert in math?!
Sustained.
About 500,000 dollars.
Move to
strike, Your Honor!
That testimony will
be stricken from the record!
Nothing further.
One
case that gave me enormous
satisfaction was
Lilly Ledbetter's case.
One day, someone puts a slip
of paper in her mailbox with a
series of numbers.
They were the pay of all
the other area managers.
And the young man she had
just trained for the job was
earning more than she was.
You know, I'd like to deck
every one of those assholes.
Oh, yeah...
So, she said,
"I've had it.
I'm going to sue."
And she sued under Title VII -
our anti-discrimination and
employment law.
Good
afternoon and welcome back,
ladies and
gentlemen of the jury.
- Hey, Mama.
- Now...
to the first charge,
that of retaliation
for complaining of
sex discrimination,
how do you answer?
We find for the defendant.
And to the second
claim of age discrimination,
how do you answer?
We find for the defendant.
To the third claim, do you
find it more likely than not
that the defendant paid the
plaintiff an unequal salary
-because of her sex?
-Yes, Your Honor.
We find for the plaintiff.
What amount of
backpay is the plaintiff owed?
223,776 dollars, Your Honor.
And what
amount of punitive damages,
if any, do you award?
3,285,979 dollars.
We thank the
jury for their service.
You are free to go.
This court is now dismissed.
You said the
damages were capped!
Oh, they are!
That jury just sent a message.
Mama...
I wish Phil was here.
I know, I know.
Thought you might like
to see this one, too.
Otto Vogel from
Goodyear returning on one.
Mr. Vogel!
Ken Kohler here.
The Chamber of Commerce wants
you to know that you've got
support on the
Ledbetter appeal.
We're not going to appeal.
The legal fees would be higher
than the caps on damages.
It's just a nuisance
we'd rather fade away.
I beg to
differ. The verdict's gotta be
overturned or you'll have
every disgruntled employee in
the country dredging
up stale pay claims.
Look, Goodyear
may get off easy,
but every other business
in America will suffer.
We have a great deal of
influence on Capitol Hill...
and in the courts.
I'm sure I can find
someone in Alabama to help.
You on board?
Let me know what
you rustle up.
Will do!
Thank you.
I'm back!
Thought I just
saw a red-plumed cardinal!
Maybe it's just
an early robin.
Whoa!
Where's my wife?!
You like it?
-I needed a change.
-Yeah, I love it!
I got some news
you're not gonna like.
Jon just called.
Goodyear's appealing.
Look, we know it was coming.
Jon was confident the
verdict would stand.
Says...
there's no jury, they just
argue the briefs already
filed.
Says we'll hear soon.
Do you want bread
with the salad?
Oy...
I don't feel-- I
don't feel so good.
You got that headache again?
Lemme get you something.
You okay?
Charles?
- Hey!
- Ow...
- Hey!
- How is he?
Oh, well, they gave
me some happy drugs!
Oh, good.
Charles!
-Good to see you up!
-I'll just-- I'll wait outside.
No, no, no!
You stay, Jon.
He's a good friend.
We removed the tumor,
but we are dealing
with a malignancy.
Having said that, with a
round of chemo and careful
monitoring, you
have a good prognosis.
Oh, I appreciate that, Doc.
Rest up,
we'll talk soon.
Mm.
Thanks.
Hey, you okay?
I am if you are.
Just a little skin cancer.
Runs in my family,
everybody does fine,
so will I.
All right, Jon,
let's have it.
I know you didn't come here
just to bring me some flowers.
Uh...
Well, um...
-we lost the appeal.
-What?!
They decided to
disregard the previous ruling,
and they found that you had to
have filed a complaint within
180 days of the original
discriminatory paycheck.
"First" as in 20 years ago?
How could she
complain if she didn't know?
It makes no sense!
Look, we all grow up thinking
that the law is based on the
truth, and in reality, it's
really about who can best
manipulate the system.
How could two different courts
come up with two different
- conclusions?
- Right!
See, that's
exactly the problem;
there is a discrepancy in
the interpretation of the law,
and that is why the partners
and I would like to take
this...
to the Supreme Court.
- The Supreme Court?
- Yeah.
See, in our original case, the
court found that every single
one of Lilly's paychecks was
discriminatory because she
continued to be unfairly
paid based on the first unfair
paycheck, but the
appellate court found that,
because she didn't file her
complaint within 180 days,
that the rest of the
paychecks were all fine.
So the company profits
from that injustice her whole
career by keeping her
at the lowest salary.
I mean, the
raises, the pension,
contributions, social security
that I should have gotten!
That's right,
if this ruling is allowed to
stand, it puts a very
bad law on the books,
and we can't let that happen.
So...
good news:
I contacted the best Supreme
Court specialist that I know,
and he has agreed to
argue your case pro bono.
Well, I feel better already.
But...
the Supreme Court rejects 99
percent of the cases that are
submitted to it,
and this case is...
it's a long shot, at best.
Either way...
it's gonna take
some time, so, you...
just worry about
getting better, okay?
I will take care of the rest.
Thank you, Jon.
-Bye.
-Yeah, all right.
Enjoy your happy drugs.
The fundamental disagreement
in this case is the definition
of "unlawful
employment practice."
For years, my
client, Ms. Ledbetter,
received smaller pay increases
than men do in the same job as
her at a tire plant
in Gadsden, Alabama.
The court below held that
she should have complained
earlier.
But how could she had done
so when those discriminatory
raises were being
given in secret?
Miss Ledbetter was consigned
to a career as a second-class
employee only
because she is a woman.
That cannot be the
law, and it isn't.
There comes a point when
discrimination is staring at
you in the face and you
have to make a stand,
and that's what Lilly did.
You said the Ledbetter
petition would never land on
the docket.
We've got friends
in high places.
We stuck our neck
out on your advice.
You won't regret it.
Wilson looking for a
man in the end zone...
Oh!
Is this the recipe
with the cocoa powder?
I like it better than
the melted chocolate.
Mm, me too.
Gimme that.
Alex!
Where's Will?
I've never known him to
miss one of your birthdays!
Finals.
Couldn't get up here in time.
Oh, college boy.
I'm so proud of him.
We are too.
Nice ball!
Thanks, yeah, Uncle Phil
got it for Alex last night.
Y-- you saw Phil?
Well, he called.
I told him about
what's going on with me.
He's moving back home!
Just give him a
little time, all right?
He'll come around.
This is 90.3 WBHM,
from the heart of Alabama,
with news on today's Supreme
Court rulings.
Today, in a 5-4 vote
delivered by Justice Alito,
the Supreme Court ruled
against Lilly Ledbetter in her
efforts to hold Goodyear
accountable for discriminatory
pay.
But Justice Ginsburg, reading
her dissent from the bench,
said, "The Court does not
comprehend or is indifferent
to the insidious way in
which women can be victims of
discrimination.
Once again, the ball
is in Congress' court."
In
another Supreme Court ruling,
the majority determined--
Okay.
Okay, well...
I know that it doesn't
seem like it, but, uh,
that's huge, Lilly.
They rarely read their
dissent from the bench.
That means that
you got to her.
It's their job...
to make sure the laws of
our country protect us.
It's a
Conservative court, it...
These are powerful groups.
We knew that it
could go either way.
I screwed it up.
I screwed it all up.
"The
ball is now in Congress'
court...
to correct the error...
into which...
my colleagues have fallen."
Mrs. Ledbetter.
I'm Jocelyn Samuels from the
National Women's Law Center in
DC.
You came all the way from
Washington just to talk to me?
Yes, I did.
The Court made a
terrible mistake today.
I'm wondering if you
have a few minutes?
Well, I wish you'd
called before you came.
Come on!
I'll make coffee.
You mean a law that says
companies can't cheat women?
A law that would
make every unfair paycheck a
discriminatory act,
not just the first.
So people would have
time to fight back.
Rosa DeLauro and George Miller
are introducing the Fair Pay
Act in the House
of Representatives.
Excuse me.
- Hello?
- Hi!
This is The New
York Times calling.
-Lilly Ledbetter, please?
-Uh, this is she.
It's
The New York Times!
Would you
available for an interview
tomorrow with one
of our journalists?
- Uh...sure.
- Great.
I-- I think I can do that.
So, then, we'll call
you later to schedule, okay?
Okay.
- Th-- thank you, bye.
- Bye-bye.
When
you're in a fight,
you think you're the only one,
but women all over the country
need this!
- Excuse me.
It's
very hard to do anything as a
- loner.
- Hello?
Hi, this is the
NBC Nightly News with
Brian Williams...
But
if you get together with
like-minded people,
you can be a force...
-for change.
O-- okay.
- Thank you very much.
- Sure!
Scheduling will call
you later to set up a time.
We'll talk
later, thank you.
Thank you.
You've become the face of
women's inequity in the
workplace.
Justice Ginsburg said it!
Congress needs to hear from
you to push this law along!
To make it real!
I-- I don't know about
politics or anything except...
making tires and keeping
a checkbook straight...
baking and sewing, of course.
Not being an expert is the
very thing that is so powerful
about you!
But it is hard work.
And you'd have to be up
for a long slog again.
Oh!
Hello.
- We lost.
- Yeah, I-- I heard.
Are you okay?
Oh, this is Jocelyn Samuels.
She wants me to go to
Washington to meet some people
-in Congress.
-Hello.
My husband, Charles.
Hello.
Hello.
I...
I appreciate you
coming here, but...
really, I'm tired.
I just wanna enjoy
my grandkids and...
help Charles
through everything.
I hope
you'll think about it.
-Nice meeting you both.
-You too.
Thank you so much.
I'm sorry about before.
About Phillip.
I was gonna tell
ya, of course.
So, uh,
what are you gonna do?
Vacuum the living room.
NBC's coming to
interview me tomorrow.
Wow.
No, I mean about Washington.
I'm not having you
use me as an excuse.
So, go on.
Go get her before she leaves.
Go on.
Jocelyn!
Every time I write a dissent,
I'm hoping for one result:
either congressional
change or, the other,
that the Court
will overrule its prior...
wrong decision.
Who was it who said "It
ain't over 'til it's over?"
Marcia!
Mrs. Ledbetter...
-Mr. Goldfarb!
-Hi.
I am so delighted
to finally meet you.
Marcia's my boss.
She's the one that
found your story.
Your story jumped out at
me, like other American women
whose legacy
made a difference!
People are going to
remember your name!
I don't know about that.
Mrs. Ledbetter!
Welcome to Washington!
Good luck!
See you inside.
That is
George Miller,
and Rosa DeLauro --
the bill's sponsors.
I-- I didn't realize there
would be so many people.
- Just be yourself.
- So!
What do you do to shake
off nerves before your dance
competitions?
I dream about
winning the lottery.
That is priceless!
Good morning.
I'm Lilly Ledbetter, and
I'm here to tell you...
how my employer of almost 20
years discriminated against me,
and how I fought back.
I was an underdog, like
David, who slayed Goliath...
without the
slingshot, of course.
The thing is...
where I come from,
we loved our Goliath.
Everybody you knew who had a
good job worked at Goodyear
Tire Company.
During World w*r II, when the
men went off to fight in the
w*r, my-- my
aunt, Maddie Belle,
practically ran the place!
And when I got hired into
the management program,
I was honored.
But that company
took advantage of me,
like so many companies are
taking advantage of their
workers, and that
just isn't right!
And so, I'm here...
hoping that you
folks'll fix this...
for the American people,
to make sure that
what happened to me...
doesn't happen
to anybody else.
Thank you.
The
US Supreme Court decides
"Lilly, you sued too late!
This law, Title VII, says you
must complain within 180 days
of the
discriminatory incident."
My theory in dissent...
was that every paycheck
she received renewed the
discrimination.
With this bill, we'll
reinstate that every paycheck
is a new discriminatory act.
It may not sound
like sweeping reform,
but think of it
like building heat --
you start with one
hot coal, and by the end,
you have a bonfire.
- This is the coal.
- Mm-hm.
Your being here will help
us get Congress on board.
Then, we just pray
President Bush doesn't veto.
Kinda sad that gender equity
has a political affiliation.
You did
great today, Lilly.
Now, we need you to talk up
the bill to members of the
House and the Senate.
How many are there?
in the House,
100 in the Senate.
-I'm gonna talk to 535 people?
-No!
Of course not, right?
We'll start with the
Southern bloc and the women.
Okay.
Hope you have thick skin.
We'll need 225
votes for the bill to pass,
and we've got two
weeks to get them.
How many meetings
can I do in a day?
That depends on you.
And them, of course.
Well...
don't underestimate this one.
She's a Wonder Woman.
Thank you, Jon.
For seeing something in me
I didn't even know that was
there myself.
Girl gumption, Lilly.
I-- I-- I am so...
I-- I'm so thrilled!
I am thrilled --
thrilled! -- to meet you.
I'm Lilly Ledbetter.
I...
I'm so happy to be here.
I am.
I'm-- I'm so
happy to meet you.
I'm just...
I'm-- I'm just happy.
Dan McGintry!
It's an honor to
meet you, Mr. Kohler.
How are ya?
Have a seat.
I'm a big fan of your campaigns
protecting coal and steel.
Alabama's indebted to you.
Of course, on a
personal level,
my campaign skyrocketed
after all your support.
-I assume you're familiar with
the Goodyear fiasco.
-Of course.
The Left is trotting
out the Ledbetter woman like
she's some kind of martyr.
See, I don't
think you need to worry about
her; she's just a
cranky old biddy.
Limiting pay liability is the
key to ensuring jobs remain in
this country.
- It's a slippery slope.
- Yes, sir.
You want
the big political career?
This is on you now.
It's good meeting
you, Congressman.
No, sorry.
The Congressman is
completely booked.
Perhaps next month.
-Excuse me, Congressman--
-Excuse me.
At least they listened!
Did they?
Giving folks
time to fight back.
You have a
compelling story, Lilly.
But I have to focus my efforts
on Alaska's priorities.
I'm sorry.
Senator Snowe!
Sorry, Jocelyn,
I've got a meeting.
Just want you to
meet Lilly Ledbetter.
Nice to meet you, Lilly.
I know about the
bill, it's a good idea,
and I'm always
advocating for women,
but there's a right
time for everything,
and, unfortunately,
this just isn't it for me.
C'mon.
Excuse me, Congressman.
I'm Lilly
Ledbetter from Alabama.
Yes.
Welcome, please.
Have a seat!
Thank you.
I-- I wanna talk to
you about something.
You know,
I'm sorry to say...
but you're being manipulated.
Well, that's hardly a way
to start a conversation.
They're using you!
This Liberal lobby,
they'll do anything,
ruin anyone's life
to make a point.
Employment equity affects
everybody no matter what party.
Your husband has cancer.
And yet, here you
are, in another city,
when you could be at home...
praying with him.
I mean, what's more important
than being the healing force
that only a wife could be
during such a trying time?
What about your vows?
"In sickness and in health?"
Yeah, they pump you up...
make you feel important.
But you're not one of
them, and you never will be.
You're a country girl who grew
up swimming in Doc Brewster's
pond!
That's right.
So I know how to
burn off a leech.
This hearing will
address proposed legislation
regarding the upcoming
vote on pay discrimination.
I now recognize Mr.
Mullen for five minutes.
Thank you, Mister Chairman and
members of the committee for
giving me the
opportunity to testify.
My name is Neil Mullen, and I
am here to testify on behalf
of the Chamber of Commerce
about proposed legislation to
reverse the Supreme Court
decision in Ledbetter v.
Goodyear Tire and Rubber.
Now, the rule emanating
from this decision is simple:
any employee that believes
that he or she has been
treated discriminatorily
by an employer,
that matter should
be raised internally,
and promptly.
For the good part of 19
years with the company,
Mrs. Ledbetter knew
about her lower salary--
That's a lie.
Mrs. Ledbetter, you'll
have your chance to speak.
You knew you were being
paid less than your male
counterparts years
before initiating your claim!
You waited to
retire before suing.
Mr. Mullen, do you really
believe I chose to work 20
years knowing I was being
cheated and discriminated
against, just so I
could wait to sue?
Does that make any
sense in this world, sir?!
Order!
No more.
No.
I want you to know I'm not
going back to Washington.
It's just too much.
That's bullshit.
Hey!
- Hey.
- How're you feeling?
Oh, fine, just...
a little numb.
I'm afraid I
don't have the best news.
We found
evidence of metastasis.
Surgery is no
longer an option.
What am I lookin' at, Doc?
You know, time-wise?
It's hard to say.
Maybe a year.
Could be longer.
Try to enjoy
your time together.
-We'll talk next week, okay?
-Sure.
Thank you.
Hey.
Hey.
C'mere.
C'mon.
Now, listen to me.
You are not gonna stop
doing what you're doing.
You're going to
Washington tomorrow,
and you're gonna
raise all kinds of hell.
You'll get those votes.
I'm proud of you, babe.
You understand me?
I am so damn proud.
Here, in
the United States Senate,
our Republican
friends wanna say,
"Oh, no...
we're going to permit...
discrimination
against women...
because they didn't
have adequate notice...
that the discrimination
was taking place?!
Because the employer didn't
give 'em that notice when they
gave them a paycheck...
that was unequal to
their male counterparts!
The CBS poll on women say
the number-one issue that they
face is equal pay for
equal or comparable work!
If, in fact, this
is not a problem,
why does every woman in every
poll make this a number-one
issue?!
I ask that we make it a
number-one issue in the Senate!
If you work hard
and do a good job,
you should be rewarded no
matter what you look like,
where you come from,
or what gender you are.
That's what this
bill is about,
that's why I'm
supporting this bill,
and that's why I urge my
colleagues to do the same.
I'm hoping that this chamber
with stand up for fundamental
fairness for women
in the workplace.
I'm hoping you will
stand up and vote...
to make it clear that women
who get up every single day
and go to work deserve to be
paid equally to their male
counterparts.
That's all Lilly
Ledbetter wanted,
and that is what we
should deliver today.
Mr. Moran of Virginia...
Mr. Moran of
Virginia votes aye.
Mr. Boucher...
I've got an
assistant on the floor.
-We'll know any minute.
-Mr. Boucher votes aye.
Mr. Larsen of Washington.
Oh, there she is!
Okay, we just
need one more vote.
Ms.
Harman votes aye.
225!
- Yes!
- We got it!
Congratulations!
You made a big
impression, Lilly.
The bill is passed!
Without objection, the motion
to reconsider is laid on the
table!
Yeah?
Thank you.
Well, thank you.
You should be very proud.
Nice job.
Oh, boy...
Okay, thanks.
Bush is threatening to veto.
The Republican senators we
need won't vote against Bush
if he vetos the bill.
So after all that...
we're back to square one.
Today, the Fair
Pay Act was filibustered by
Republicans in the Senate in
response to President Bush's
threat to veto.
Although the bill had
passed in the House,
Republicans have k*lled it,
putting the future at risk--
The calcium carbonate in the
egg shell is the same as the
calcium carbonate in
some outdoor statues.
When vinegar reacts
with the egg shell,
it mimics the actions of
acid rain on these statues.
-Well done!
-That's great!
-I'm back.
-I spoke with Senator Mikulski.
She said she'll resurrect the
bill in the next session if
-the Democrats keep control!
-If.
I know it's hard
to see, Lilly,
but the momentum's building
on both sides of the aisle.
And Clinton and Obama are
each making fair pay a central
issue in their campaigns!
Go get that, will you, son?
Hi,
I'm here to see Mrs. Ledbetter.
Gram, it's for you!
Hold on a second.
Thank you, honey.
Ruby Lawrence from the
Obama campaign in Birmingham.
Oh!
-Hey!
-Mrs. Ledbetter!
I'm from Hillary
Clinton's campaign.
-She'd very much like--
-Senator Obama is eager to have
you join his campaign.
Uh...
just a moment,
give me a moment.
-Yes, ma'am!
-Yes, ma'am.
Obama and Clinton
people are here at my door,
asking for my help.
Do I have to choose now?
No!
Campaign for both if you like!
Because Hillary
Clinton knows that these are
not women's issues,
they're family issues,
and that women's
rights are human rights,
and this fight is for
all women everywhere.
The equal pay for equal
work law has been around for
40-plus years.
It's not being enforced.
And a lot of women are
discriminated against
in the workplace.
Women are still being fired
in American jobs for getting
pregnant -- something that we
thought had ended decades ago.
Women earn far less than
men, are passed over for
promotions, and
harassed at work.
Barack Obama's gonna do
something about that.
Won't stop acid rain.
And now is the time
to keep the promise of equal
pay for an equal day's work,
because I want my daughters to
have the exact same
opportunities as your sons!
With yesterday's
victory in the Montana
primary, Senator Obama
will secure the Democratic
nomination.
Senator Clinton is expected to
formally end her candidacy and
endorse Obama, making him the
party's presumptive nominee...
I hate leaving you.
Oh, you'll be back tonight.
Well, I'd feel better if
Vicky weren't out of town.
Oh, quit fussin'!
I'll be fine, I'll be fine.
I wish you could come.
What, deprive myself of
seeing my wife on TV?
My very own movie
star, that's what you are.
Your Goodyear
plaintiff's gonna be speaking
at the Democratic Convention.
You were supposed
to wrap that up.
She is?
I-- I tried, but she--
You wanted support
for your campaign?
For your office?
That's earned when
you get things done.
Not for trying.
We're done here.
Good evening.
I'm here to talk about
America's commitment to
fairness...
and equality.
Equal pay for equal work.
Equal pay for equal work.
Equal pay for equal work.
Equal pay
for equal work.
With all of us
working together,
we can have the
change we need,
and the
opportunity we deserve.
Charles?!
Oh, God...
Oh, God...
Oh, God...
You have meant so much to him.
Thank you.
Thank you so much
for making the drive.
Thank you.
-Nice to see y'all.
-Thank you both.
Phil?
Please don't go.
I wanna talk to you.
It's been so long.
My God...
Look at you.
I came to say
goodbye to my father.
He loved you so much.
He loved you.
Always.
I wanted more for us.
Figured a nice house and a
couple of cars would make me
count for something.
I wanted to prove I was
more than that scrawny kid,
more than that
nothin' Edna said I'd be.
But that job ate me up.
It trapped me in
anger and frustration,
and I guess I thought...
being the first one in and the
last one out of the factory
would prove that
I was the best.
No matter what I
did, it didn't matter.
I didn't know any of that,
what you were going
through all that time.
You were so hard on me.
I know.
But you're my
beautiful boy, Phil.
Can we start fresh?
Will you?
C'mere, Grace.
Hey, Gracie.
Hey...
This is your grandma.
Grace...
Grace.
Hello.
Hello.
And will,
to the best of my ability...
And will, to the
best of my ability...
Preserve, protect,
and defend the Constitution
of the United States.
Preserve, protect,
and defend the Constitution
of the United States.
So help you God.
-So help me God.
- Congratulations,
Mister President.
All the best wishes.
Mama!
Someone's here to see you!
What are
you doing here?
It's so good to see you!
Aw, Lilly...
Wonderful to see you.
C'mon, sit down!
C'mon.
Lilly, you
have go to come and visit!
Washington is a whole new
place since the election!
I can feel it from here.
I had a
meeting over in Birmingham,
so I thought I'd
bring this over myself.
Oh!
Mama!
You look so beautiful!
He told me he was
nervous to dance with me.
Heard I'd meddled
in waltz and foxtrot.
He's a good dancer.
Nice, open carriage.
But when he told me...
he was naming the
bill after me...
We've got the votes in
the House this time,
but the Senate's
another story,
especially if the business
lobby scores the vote.
What's that mean?
It's like a report card.
The folks who finance the
candidates use it to keep the
legislators in line.
You get a bad grade, you
don't get funding for your
reelection.
That's disgusting!
If they do,
that's it, we're done.
There won't be
any Fair Pay Act.
So, you're asking
me to come back?
Meeting in Birmingham, my a*s!
Mrs. Ledbetter, I
have a meeting.
-It-- it'll just be a minute.
-I'm listening.
I understand everything you
do is to bolster the American
economy, and--
and I respect that.
But women aren't the
enemy of the economy,
we're the backbone!
I've seen your stump speech.
And I've seen the polling.
Don't score the vote.
You'll be making a
strategic error.
All women want equality, not
just women from one party!
You can't afford to lose
51 percent of your voters.
I'm not so sure
those numbers--
There are Republican senators
who want to support this bill.
Do you want their seats
to be collateral damage?
Think about the future.
Thank you for your time.
On this vote, the yeas
are 61, the nays are 36.
Under the previous order,
three fifths of the senators
duly chosen and sworn having
voted in the affirmative,
the bill is passed.
Today is a great day
in the United States Senate.
Would you like a refill?
Oh, no, thank you.
-Just a check, please.
-Sure.
Anyone who meets Lilly can't
help but be impressed by her
commitment, her
dedication, her focus.
She knew
unfairness when she saw it,
and was willing to do
something about it,
because it was the
right thing to do.
And
it is my honor...
to introduce this
extraordinary woman,
whose hard work has brought
us here today for this very
special occasion, and who has
been an inspiration to women
and men all
across this country.
Breakfast is on us, ma'am.
Thank you.
Ladies and
gentlemen, Lilly Ledbetter.
Welcome to our World! Where we serve you cookies to ensure you get the best viewing experience on our site.
Did you know that you can remove censorship board-wide, use our advanced search functions, be notified when new content is posted, join our memberships, set episodes to show in any order you want & more if you are logged into your account?
Register or sign in here: ucp.php?mode=register
Did you know that you can remove censorship board-wide, use our advanced search functions, be notified when new content is posted, join our memberships, set episodes to show in any order you want & more if you are logged into your account?
Register or sign in here: ucp.php?mode=register
Lilly (2024)
Moderators: Maskath3, GabrielAlejo2341, sidolanters, Maskath3, GabrielAlejo2341, sidolanters