WASHINGTON AP – Lilly Ledbetter, a 70-year-old Alabaman with a quick smile and a slow Southern drawl, campaigned for Barack Obama, joined him on the inaugural train trip to Washington and danced with him at an inaugural ball.

She was also at the White House when Obama signed the first bill of his presidency, legislation named after Ledbetter that makes it easier for women and others to seek redress when they are victims of wage discrimination.