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We ARE ON THE AIR! Join Paula Abeles & Historic Women’s Activist Lilly Ledbetter In 25 Minutes on No Quarter Radio!

By SusanUnPC on February 16, 2009 at 8:34 PM in Current Affairs, NQR Live Chat, No Quarter Blog, NoQuarter Radio

—>>> WE ARE ON THE AIR! JOIN US! < <<---

lilly-seated-lovely-pose Join NO QUARTER RADIO IN 25 MINUTES FOR THIS HISTORIC RADIO SHOW! The resourceful, unstoppable Paula Abeles has succeeded in inviting Lilly Ledbetter {PHOTO LEFT & BELOW WITH HILLARY] tonight to discuss the historic legislation bearing her name, via BlogTalkRadio.com, from 9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET.

A special note to all of you who will be listening: Besides the riveting conversations, you’ll also enjoy the conversations that you’ll find in the live chat room during the show (which you will spot about one screen down from the top of the show’s page). If you’re not yet signed up, do register with BlogTalkRadio so you can participate in the lively chat room discussions — and then go to Sins of Omission with Paula Abeles to join in on the chats! And, later in the show, you will be able to call in at (347) 677-0792, when Paulie gives the “green light” to accept calls.

paulie-s2 “Sins of Omission with Paula Abeles” has become must-hear radio every Monday night while Paulie is pinch-hitting longterm for our beloved Dr. Lynette Long who is on an extended sabbatical while she recuperates from a serious illness.

Paulie’s show marks an extraordinary episode in what is the latest of a series of remarkable programs that Paulie has created for BlogTakRadio listeners worldwide! It is special that, as a woman who fought hard for the first female presidential candidate, Paulie is hosting the woman who is responsible for such historic legislation that ensures FAIR PAY for women who perform the same work as men. The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act was signed into law in late January 2009 (recorded here at No Quarter in posts by SusanUnPC, PatRacimora (whose story, “Lilly Ledbetter Kicks Goodyear’s Tires” included one of PatRacimora’s great cartoons!), and others).

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (who, as a senator, helped steer the bill towards passage along with then-senator, now Vice President Joe Biden), Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Sen. Barbara Milkulski (D-Md.), along with Rep. Steny Hoyer and other legislators were all a big part of ensuring the bill’s passage and joined Lilly, President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama in celebrating the signing of the bill.

HERE IS PAULIE’S ORIGINAL PRESS RELEASE for tonight’s show:

In 1998, someone slipped a note in Lilly Ledbetter’s mailbox at the Goodyear Tire Plant in Gadsden, Alabama. It confirmed what Ledbetter had suspected–that she was being paid significantly less than male co-workers doing the same job.

The case became Ledbetter v. Goodyear–and, when, in a controversial 5 to 4 decision the Supreme Court overturned the lower court’s ruling for Ledbetter –the sexual discrimination and wage

equity case unleashed a maelstrom of outrage and controversy.

Join me, Monday night, February 16th at 9 pm (EST) on “Sins of Omission” on NoQuarter Radio (www.blogtalkradio.com/nqr) as we discuss sexism, discrimination and Ms. Ledbetter’s unlikely path towards political and social activism.

It will be a great show.

Please join me!

Paulie

Please check out my Facebook page!

FROM the founder of this historic legislation, Maryland Senator Barbara Milkulski, her press release:

Bill that restores civil rights laws on pay discrimination expected to be first sent to President Obama for his signature

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) applauded Senate passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 with 61 Senators voting in favor of the bill today. The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which ensures equal pay for equal work regardless of age, race, gender, religion or national origin, is expected to be the first bill sent to President Barack Obama for his signature.
“We say to women today who earn only 77 cents for every dollar her male counterpart makes, it’s time for a new day. We say to women of color who make even less it’s time for a new law. And we say to all who have suffered wage discrimination it’s truly time for a change,” said Senator Mikulski, Dean of the Senate Women. “Today’s vote is a major step towards ending wage discrimination in America and guaranteeing equal pay for equal work. We also thank Senator Kennedy for his commitment to and tremendous leadership on pay equity and the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.” The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act was written to remedy the 2007 Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. decision in which a divided Supreme Court held that workers must sue for pay discrimination within 180 days after the original pay-setting decision, no matter how long the unfair pay continues. Lower courts already have begun citing the ruling in decisions that erode civil rights.

Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.), chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, said, “Anyone who puts in a fair day’s work should receive a fair day’s pay. Today’s vote is a major step toward ending pay discrimination in the workplace and a signal to all Americans that a new era of genuine change has begun for our country.”

The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act amends Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, making it possible for an employee to file a wage discrimination suit based on the date of the actual discriminatory payment or the initial setting of the discriminatory wage at the time of hiring, so that the statute of limitations runs from the date of the actual payment of a discriminatory wage, not just from the time of hiring. This means employees can seek a legal remedy based on each discriminatory paycheck, not just during the first 180 days of pay discrimination.

Lilly Ledbetter said, “I am deeply heartened by the Senate passage of the bill that bears my name. It is an enormous victory for the women across the country who are victims of pay discrimination.”

Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) said, “At a time when our economy is in trouble and American families are hurting, putting added burdens on working women is just plain wrong. The Senate has always had a strong and proud record of supporting the rights of average Americans and that is what we’ve done here today. Lilly Ledbetter’s story and fight is about fairness – plain and simple. I applaud Lilly, Senator Mikulski and all the women and men of the Senate and across the country who stood up and joined this fight for what is right.”

Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) said, “The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act is the only bill that gives workers the time to consider how they have been treated and the time to work out solutions with their employers. This bipartisan bill fulfills Congress’ goal of creating incentives for employers voluntarily to correct any disparities in pay that they find. Most importantly, it ensures that employers do not benefit from continued discrimination. I support the ability of all employees to receive equal pay for equal work.”

Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) said, “Discrimination takes many forms. Sometimes discrimination is brazen and in-your-face, like with Jim Crow and apartheid. And sometimes discrimination is silent and insidious. This is exactly what is happening, today, in workplaces across America. Ledbetter was a bad decision. I am glad to work together with Senators Kennedy and Mikulski to champion this effort to reverse the damage done by that decision. Women have received unequal pay for equal work for far too long, and still face significant pay discrimination – earning 78 cents for every dollar a man earns. This is simply wrong. And it is especially hurtful now when our economy is flailing and American families are struggling. I am very pleased that the Senate passed this important legislation today.”

Visit http://mikulski.senate.gov/_pdfs/Press/LedbetterSummary.pdf for more information about the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.

http://noquarterusa.net/ SusanUnPC

I HOPE YOU ALL JOIN US! This is going to be a great radio show!
AlexisM

Susan I am having issues with the radio thing on my computer. I will try to fix it, despite my rather blonde approach to computers. I hope it’s great fun if I miss it and thank you so much!
sowsear

my rather blonde approach to computers
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shame on you, Alexis
Linda Anselmi

What a great show. This is my first time listening to Paula. She’s an amazing interviewer. The show really flows. And Ms. Ledbetter is an inspiring guest with a compelling story. Thanks everyone I really enjoyed it.
Peggy Sue

That was a great show and chat, Susan. Thanks so much. Truly enjoyed the discussion.
Liberty Belle not for Obama

Sorry I got the PSA wrong – Bill Clinton will be on Larry King tomorrow night (not tonight).

Will have to catch a re-run of your show.
AlexisM

sowsear, ???? I can’t laugh at myself now? Oh good lord, was that not PC?
ACPD

While I’m think this legislation was needed and is a good thing, it actually does not make things better for women in the workplace. The reality is that there is no easy, fast or safe way for a woman to hold her employer accountable. There are gov’t agencies and all sorts of laws; but when a women is discriminated against in the workplace, she has three choices: to fight, to quit or to suck it up. Given the realities of the cost of a lawsuit and the problems with the current job markets, most women will just live with the unfairness. A lot of women have families and are not able to act independently.

I know, because I have been in this position. It takes a lot of time, money and support to sue for discrimination. And while there is some history of success in the field of racial discrimination, there has been little or none in the area of gender discrimination–especially recently. Even lawyers don’t put a lot of effort into trying to win these cases, because they rarely succeed and the few that do, result in very small judgments. Juries don’t care.

So, while I’m glad a few more loopholes have been closed in the books, don’t get excited. Until women are respected and our contributions valued, no amount of legislation is going to make much of a difference.

The sexism we witnessed in the last election and the fact that, even so called feminists were supportive of it demonstrate just how far we are from having equality for women in this country. This legislation is more hocus pocus–unfortunately.
Andy

Until women are respected and our contributions valued, no amount of legislation is going to make much of a difference.

The sexism we witnessed in the last election and the fact that, even so called feminists were supportive of it demonstrate just how far we are from having equality for women in this country.

ACPD: this is so true…. I am sorry but not surprised to hear you’ve been discriminated against re. salary. I agree with what you say that’s an incredibly tough situation to be in and fight in court.
I have suffered other (subtle and not so subtle) forms of discrimination than salary although there is a some of that as well but not clear cut (in my case).

We will have to see what happens with the Law. As a message it is a very important step I think; it sends a message and we will have to wait to see if at least it acts as a “deterrent”. At least that’s my “hope”..

But, yes, the deeper issue you mention remains and as a society there a lot of work still to be done to overcome sexism and gender discrimination is all its colors and forms.