Betty Roberts Papers
Biography:
Roberts’s political career began in 1964 when she was elected as a state representative in the Oregon legislature. Four years later, she was elected the sole woman in the state Senate. In 1974 she narrowly lost the Democratic gubernatorial primary. Later in 1974, she was chosen by the Democratic Party to run for the Oregon U.S. Senate seat but was defeated by incumbent Bob Packwood. In 1977, she was appointed to the Oregon Court of Appeals, where she became the first woman judge. In 1982, appointed by the Governor, she became the first woman to serve as an associate justice on the Oregon Supreme Court. After resigning from the Court, Justice Roberts served as a mediator and arbitrator for 18 years. Oregon State University Press published her autobiography “With Grit and By Grace, Breaking Trails in Politics and Law, A Memoir” in 2008. .Noteworthy, Roberts officiated over the first same-sex partnerships licensed through Multnomah County in 2004.
The Betty Roberts Papers comprises five linear feet of materials documenting Roberts’ campaigns for public office including her runs for the U.S. Senate and for the governor of Oregon. The collection also includes items related to Roberts’ work on same-sex partnerships. Note: Justice Roberts’ legislative and court papers are scheduled to be placed at the archive in the near future. Among them are files on the abortion issue, including the Oregon federal court case, the Equal Rights Amendment, as well as many other issues. Some speeches are included as are papers related to Roberts’ work in the founding of the Oregon Women Lawyers (OWLS) and her continued work with that organization.
The Betty Roberts Papers are part of the Oregon Political Leadership Archive, a Portland State University partnership between the Center for Women, Politics & Policy, the University Library, and the Department of History
Scope and Content:
The Betty Roberts Papers comprises five linear feet of materials documenting Roberts’ campaigns for public office including her runs for the U.S. Senate and for the governor of Oregon. The collection also includes items related to Roberts’ work on same-sex partnerships.
The Betty Roberts Papers are part of the Oregon Public Leadership Archive, a Portland State University partnership between the Center for Women, Politics & Policy, the University Library, and the Department of History.
Partner Information:
Special Collections, Portland State University Library
Portland State University Library - LIBW
Special Collections
Post Office Box 1151
Portland, OR 97207-1151
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Contact:
Cristine Paschild
University Archivist/Head of Special Collections
(503)725-9883
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Website:
http://library.pdx.edu/specialcollections.html
Finding Aids:
http://archon.archives.pdx.edu/index.php?p=collections/controlcard&id=43&q=betty+roberts