Statement by Page S. Gardner, president, Women’s Voices. Women Vote, on the vote by the U.S. Senate on the Lilly Ledbetter Act:

“Today’s Senate vote is a great victory in providing equality for our nation’s women, especially those who are single, separated, widowed or divorced. Passage of the Lilly Ledbetter legislation today removes another road-block toward pay equality for unmarried women, who are supporting themselves and often their children on earnings that are only 56 percent of what married men earn. Victims of pay discrimination rarely realize any form of discrimination has occurred until after pay decisions are made. Many employers prohibit employees from discussing their pay with one another, leaving most workers in the dark about what their co-workers earn. Today’s Senate vote makes great stride against discrimination in our country, ensuring that each paycheck from a discriminatory pay decision would be a new violation of employment nondiscrimination law. The Lilly Ledbetter legislation encourages employers to comply with laws and provides victims of discrimination with the tools and information to fight workplace discrimination under the law.

“Today the U.S. Senate sent the message that in America, women should enjoy the same pay for the same work, and provides them the tools to fight against discriminatory actions in the workplace. Passing the Lilly Ledbetter legislation fights discrimination in our country, and is a giant step in paving the way for all women to enjoy the dignity of equality. I commend the Senators who supported this legislation, and I urge all of the Senators to also pass the Paycheck Fairness Act. The Senate must vote to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act, and finally give all women a fair chance to be paid what they deserve.”