When our troop visited Washington DC in May of 2006, we happened upon a Supreme Court reading. Usually these take place on Monday, but Monday was Memorial Day. Without knowing it was an opinion reading day, we planned to visit the Supreme Court, and got there just in time to be seated to watch the justices read their ruling in Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire. Now, sitting there quietly waiting for court to begin, and then sitting quietly and respectfully while they are doing their business isn't the most exciting thing in the world, especially for 10 and 11 year olds (and not really for 40 year olds either!), but it was slightly amusing to watch the distinguished judges tipping back in their chairs, twisting back and forth and staring at the ceiling (yes, really!).
So, why do we care about Ledbetter v Goodyear Tire? Well it is about pay discrimination based on gender. And, based on this specific case, our new presidential administration has signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act as the first law since taking office.
The court decided that, since Ledbetter didn't file complaint within 180 of the discrimination, that her suit was invalid. The dissenting opinion stated that, due to the nature of pay discrimination (as opposed to termination, which is a definite event at a definite time), 180 days is an unreasonable hurdle, and I agree.
~Galavanter
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