New York, NY —

Women's rights advocates gathered today and passed out lilies in honor of the first piece of legislation President Obama signed, a restoration of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, making it easier for women to file discriminatory pay complaints. Local representatives including State Senator Diane Savino spoke about the need now to move forward and pass the Fair Pay Act.

SAVINO: It's been 40 years and we have since the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment and here we are almost a full generation and a half past and we have still not achieved pay equity for women.

Advocates say women still earn 78 cents for every dollar men earn. Two pieces of legislation have passed by the Assembly and are pending in the Senate which would give women further rights to file legislation and protect women who try to learn what men in their workplace are earning.