When President Obama signed his first bill into law, it reinforced his commitment to equal pay, but also represented progress to his wife. The Washington Post reports:
It seemed to be all about Lilly Ledbetter at the White House yesterday -- her name was enshrined in history, affixed to the first piece of legislation signed by President Obama. He presented the former Goodyear plant supervisor with a pen he used at the East Room signing ceremony and said, "This one's for Lilly."
But the day belonged to Michelle Obama, too. She wasn't on the stage with her husband, but she was there watching, and her stamp was on the new fair-pay law that Democrats have pushed since 2007. Its signing represented a concrete example of the first lady's interest in domestic policy, women's advocates say, and signaled her determination to push the concerns of working women and families to the forefront of national debate. ...
"In traveling across the country over the past two years, Lilly's story and the broader issue of equal pay was a concern voiced over and over and over again. It was a top and critical priority for women of all racial and ethnic backgrounds -- older women, younger women, women with disabilities -- and their families," Mrs. Obama told the crowd at the reception. "This legislation is an important step forward, particularly at a time when so many families are facing economic insecurity and instability.''
The signing set the stage for the first lady's first White House reception in the State Dining Room. She opened her remarks:
So thank you for joining us today for this important event, and welcome to the White House. (Applause.) As I told guests, feel free, walk around, touch some stuff. (Laughter.) Just don't break anything. (Laughter.) It's what I try to tell my kids. (Laughter.)
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