With Grit and By Grace Breaking Trails in Politics and Law, A Memoir By the Honorable Betty Roberts ( State University Press, 2008) Book Review by Cashauna Hill

On Monday morning, February 8, Oregon. As a young woman, and after and begin a career. She graduated from 1982, three days after my fifty-ninth completing a year of college, Betty mar- Portland State College in 1958 and be- birthday, I raised my right hand and ried Bill Rice and moved with him to came a high school teacher. After divorc- said, “I, Betty Roberts, do solemnly Oregon, where he was a bank employee. ing Bill, Betty earned a master’s degree swear . . .“ in political science from the University . . . . of Oregon. She then set her sights on After the final words “. . . so help completing a PhD in political science. me God,” the applause went on Instead she went to law school. Her and on, thundering the audience’s book provides engrossing details about enthusiasm for the breakthrough how she became a lawyer, a story most my appointment represented for OWLS members have heard. She gradu- women. I swallowed once, twice, as I ated from Northwestern College of Law prepared to make my remarks. (now Lewis & Clark Law School) in 1966, Today, one woman. Tomorrow, one of two women in that class. many more. Even as a first-year law student, mother of four children, and full-time high school o begins the autobiography of for- teacher, Betty continued to display tenac- mer Justice Betty Roberts, With Grit ity and reach for new goals. She was first Sand By Grace. In 1982, Justice Rob- elected to public office in 1960, when erts became the first woman to serve on she won a term on the Lynch Elementary the . Twenty-five School District Board. Later that year, she years later, she completed this memoir. married Frank Roberts, then chairman of In her book, we may see and begin to the Multnomah County Democratic Party understand not only the importance of Central Committee. During her marriage documenting history, but also the legacy to Frank, Betty took his last name. In an that has been passed down to future ongoing discussion in the book, Justice generations of women lawyers. Her decision to marry Bill and her prag- Roberts writes about a woman’s deci- The final sentence quoted above matic approach to taking a husband will sion to use her husband’s name, versus reflects Justice Roberts’s philosophy on likely be of interest to many OWLS mem- her birth name or any other name she mentoring women lawyers and illustrates bers, as many working women across the chooses. It is a discussion that will surely her willingness to share her story in the country struggle with work/life balance, resonate with OWLS members, as the hopes of inspiring and assisting others. as well as whether and when to marry, 2007 discussion on the OWLS listserve Her autobiography highlights her profes- have children, or both. Justice Roberts il- about this issue evoked many heartfelt, sional successes, but also delves into the lustrates that these concerns are not new, poignant, and sometimes heated re- personal. Justice Roberts presents herself and that women can weather them and sponses from OWLS members. as a whole person, and her candidness will remain strong, successful individuals. In 1964, fired up from her 1962 loss in serve as a source of inspiration for OWLS Betty and Bill produced four children: a bid to win an Oregon House of Repre- members. In her struggles and triumphs, daughters Dian and Jo, and sons John and sentatives seat, Betty Roberts was elected we learn that we too can accomplish what Randy, and it is obvious that she sees them to the House from her East Multnomah others thought we never could. as some of her life’s greatest accomplish- County district. During her 13 years in Justice Roberts details her childhood ments. Even as a mother of four, Justice the legislature, Betty honed her skills as in and Texas, and writes with Roberts (then known as Betty Rice) was a politician and advocate. Throughout eloquence about the first time she saw determined to complete her education Continued on page 15

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OREGON WOMEN LAWYERS AdvanceSheet 16 SPRING 2008 Book Review: With Grit and By Grace continued from back page her career, she worked on some of the joining five other female gubernatorial from the Court, made after driving from most progressive, landmark legislation candidates in the that year. Salem to Portland in a rainstorm in which of that era, championing many causes Betty narrowly lost to Bob Straub in the her vision was obstructed by two large and working to give a voice to people Democratic primary, but another oppor- trucks: “Somehow, I again had to call on who had been historically marginal- tunity presented itself in July 1974. During that idea of faith leading me into a safe ized, including women and racial and his bid to unseat Senator and productive future. I wouldn’t be idle, ethnic minorities. Her priorities included in the general election, former Senator I knew that. So why not take a chance? civil rights, state-funded kindergarten, died. Betty was picked as It wouldn’t be the first time, and maybe ethics reform, tax credits for child-care the new Democratic candidate and given not the last.” payments, and women’s rights. She 84 days to campaign before the general With Grit and By Grace is a well- spearheaded campaigns to pass laws election. She lost a close race to Senator written, insightful account. A flowing decriminalizing abortion and allowing Packwood that year. narrative, historical snippets, and color- women to keep their last names after Betty, still in the Oregon Senate, con- ful participants (including some familiar marrying, and she worked tirelessly to tinued to work on issues of importance OWLS members) come together to make make Oregon the 25th state to pass the before being tapped by Governor Bob this a most interesting autobiography. . Straub in 1977 as the first woman - ap Through three marriages, numerous Betty served as a legislator during pointed to the . careers, and some of this country’s most turbulent but triumphant personal times. She welcomed the challenge, and writes turbulent times, Justice Roberts displayed She and Frank Roberts were divorced that she looked forward to again being her trademark spunk and pioneering after four years of marriage; she failed successful in a male-dominated environ- spirit to break trails for herself and for the bar exam on her first attempt, but ment. As an appellate judge, she contin- women who would come later. passed in 1967 (giving credit to the skilled ued to advocate for the advancement Cashauna Hill is an associate at Ashcroft tutoring of Jena Schlegel, later the first of women in the legal profession, and Wiles Ammann in Portland. woman judge in Marion County); she won continued to offer advice to other women a difficult race for the Oregon Senate; and judges and law school graduates. With Grit and By Grace: Breaking Trails she and Keith Skelton, a fellow legislator, In December 1981, Republican Gov- in Politics and Law should be available were married in 1968. They maintained ernor appointed Justice in local bookstores. To order it online, a flourishing law practice together for Roberts to the Oregon Supreme Court, please go to http://oregonstate.edu/dept/ the next 10 years. where she served until 1986. Justice press/u-w/WithGrit.html. Or you can call At this point in her narrative, Justice Roberts writes of her decision to resign 1.800.426.3797. Roberts writes of her contentious dispute with the and state election officials. Although the attorney RAISING THE BAR ON general had issued an opinion serving as LEGAL FINANCIAL SERVICES. precedent for “allowing” women to keep their former names after marrying, the OSB referred to Betty as “Betty R. Roberts Skelton” upon her marriage to Keith. She protested this designation, determined to keep the name “Betty Roberts.” She won the battle with the OSB, but the registrar of elections refused to register her to vote unless she used her husband’s name, although she remained on the ballot as “Betty Roberts.” Justice Roberts’s life story reads as that of a woman in the right place at the right time, who is intelligent and Named an Oregon Law Foundation Visionary Bank savvy enough to capitalize on opportuni- ties, and determined enough to create You work for your clients‘ best interests. So do we. opportunities where none existed. In 1974, Betty ran for , Our team of bankers works hard to make the most of your funds. We partner with you to provide personalized solutions that maximize opportunities while Save the date! minimizing risk. You get the experience and expertise you need through the Betty Roberts personalized banking we offer for legal professionals. Autobiography Release CLE and Reception Bend · Redmond · Prineville · Sisters · Sunriver Salem · Keizer · Portland · Ashland · Medford June 13, 2008, Portland Grants Pass · Boise/Treasure Valley Idaho Details on page 2 (877) 617-3400 · www.botc.com Member FDIC Equal Housing Lender

OREGON WOMEN LAWYERS AdvanceSheet 15 SPRING 2008