Doctor of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa The Honorable Betty Roberts THE HONORABLE BETTY ROBERTS is a woman of firsts. In the 1960s, she 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 judicial service by becoming the first woman to serve on the Oregon Supreme Court, Over her many decades of service in Oregon, she has become known to other women in law and politics as “our Dean,” and she continues to serve 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 has served as an example to all leaders and has demonstrated an unmatched dedication to gender equality and parity. At age 88 she continues to be an adviser and mentor, encouraging and supporting women in their legal careers and political positions. She has been a visiting professor of political science at Oregon State University, been a board member of numerous state and local organizations, including the alumni associations of both Lewis & Clark law school and Portland State University, consulted for state political leaders, and published an extraordinary memoir With Grit and by Grace: Breaking Trails in Politics and Law. Recognitions from professional, educational, and civic organizations show that her dedication to bettering our community has not lessened in her nearly half century of service. In 1962, Betty Roberts was told that at age 39 she was too old to pursue a doctoral program in political science. Today, we confer upon her an honorary doctorate, finally bestowing the degree that she has so richly earned. 8
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