[Nfb-or] FW: Memorial for Justice Betty Roberts

[Prows, Bennett (HHS/OCR)]

Hello Oregon Listers,

Just wanted to send this note about last week's memorial service for former Senator and Justice Betty Roberts.  As a matter of history, I worked for her as one of the youngest interns in the Oregon legislature in 1970--71.  Not sure I was even an official intern, since I was a sophomore at Willamette University, and the usual year was the junior year.  I just want to add my sincerest heartfelt condolences to her family and friends at a tremendous loss.  Not only was she one of the few really forthright politicians and judges, but a most caring and warm individual.  She had no qualms letting me work in her office, and as I recall, she was a hard fighter for the rights of all disabled, and indeed did work hard for the jury bill we passed in 1975.  She lived a good life, and we have lost a tremendous ally.

Bennett Prows

July 27, 2011 9:40 AM
To: Prows, Bennett (HHS/OCR)
Subject: Fwd: Memorial for Justice Betty Roberts

FYI....

-------- Original Message --------
Subject:

Memorial for Justice Betty Roberts

Date:

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 16:55:02 -0700 (PDT)

From:

Wim Wiewel <psu_info at pdx.edu><mailto:psu_info at pdx.edu>

To:

wprows at pdx.edu<mailto:wprows at pdx.edu>



Dear colleagues,



You are invited to attend a public memorial for Justice Betty Roberts, the first woman on the Oregon Supreme Court.



When: 4 p.m. Thursday, July 28



Where: Smith Memorial Ballroom



An alumna of PSU, Roberts was a woman of firsts. In the 1960s, Roberts was one of the few women to serve in the Oregon Legislature; in 1977 she became the first woman to be appointed to the Oregon Court of Appeals; and in 1982 she reached the pinnacle of state judicial service by becoming the first woman to serve on the Oregon Supreme Court. Over her many decades of service in Oregon, she became known to other women in law and politics as "The Dean," and served as an example to women of what can be achieved, through persistence and courage, in a world largely still run by men. Justice Roberts retired from the Oregon Supreme Court in 1986. But not one to rest after more than 20 years in the legislature and on the courts, she continued with a professional career as a mediator/arbitrator, helping to pioneer and expand alternative dispute resolution.



Throughout her career in public service, Justice Roberts served as an example to all leaders and demonstrated an unmatched dedication to gender equality and parity. She was a visiting professor of political science at Oregon State University, a board member of numerous state and local organizations, including the alumni associations of both Lewis & Clark law school and Portland State University, a consultant for state political leaders, and author of an extraordinary memoir, With Grit and by Grace: Breaking Trails in Politics and Law. PSU awarded Roberts an honorary doctorate at the June commencement ceremony.



Justice Roberts will be remembered at PSU for her commitment to helping future generations of women in politics in her role as a Founders Circle member of the PSU Center for Women, Politics and Policy, which has a goal of increasing women's leadership in public policy. Her continuing legacy will be accessible to students, researchers and the public in a special collection of her papers at the PSU Millar Library.



Justice Roberts died June 25 at the age of 88.



Wim Wiewel