I like to check in with Alamedan Jeff Mitchell, former editor of the Alameda Journal, at his new gig. Political Blogger for www.PolitickerCA.com. And last night’s post caught my eye, “East SF Bay worker gets her moment in the sun providing testimonial for Obama.” I had been listening to the convention while cooking dinner and doing the soccer practice shuffle and had listened to Lilly Ledbetter, who sued Goodyear Tire for paying her less than they were paying the men who held similar jobs. The year was 1998, 10 years ago.
She won, but her case was overturned at the Supreme Court who ruled 5-4 that she had to file within 180 days of the first instance of unfair practice according to the EEOC, even though she was not aware of the discrepancy at the time. I was surprised to think that she was a Bay Area resident, even an “East SF Bay” one.
Turns out, she wasn’t. But, Pauline Beck is. And not only an East Bay-er, (East Bay-ian?), but and Alamedan to boot. Check out Jeff’s article for more.
“Alameda resident Pauline Beck, a home healthcare worker, spent a day on the job with Obama in August 2007 helping to care for and clean the home of John Thorton, 82, a retiired East Oakland cement mason.
The then political unknown traveled to the Bay Area to learn about the tough work that home healthcare workers endure at typically less than $11 per hour with no employee benefits.
Beck told the packed audience at the Pepsi Center that as soon as they got to Thorton’s home the Illinois senator jumped in. She said Obama did laundry, mopped floors, made and served lunch, changed bed sheets and finally, washed the dishes.”
You can see the video of her speech at DemConvention.com. (A direct to the video is link here)
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