Equal Pay Act of 1963
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The Equal Pay Act was drafted by Esther Peterson to bridge the gender pay gap and signed into law on June 10, 1963. It was an amendment to the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. The law advocates for equal pay for the same work, regardless of the color, race, sex, religion, disability or origin of the worker. The similar legislation includes the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 that was signed into law by President Obama. It amended the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The bill seeks to increase protection against wage discrimination. The Paycheck Fairness Act is yet to be passed.