PUBLISHED QUARTERLY BY WOMEN LAWYERS VOLUME 22, No. 4 FALL 2011 22 jean of

barriers Remembering Betty Roberts: For Good 7 989-20 7 / By Diane Rynerson and Norma S. Freitas OREGOmmN ormer Justice Betty Roberts died peacefully women at home, surrounded by her family, on a sunny Saturday afternoon, LAWYERS" June 25, 2011. She was 88. President F I've heard it said that people come into our lives fora reason, bring- Heather L Weigler ing something we must learn, and we are led to those who help us Vice President, President-Elect most to grow if we let them, and we help them in return. * Megan Livermore Secretary The song "For Good" from the musical Wicked touched just the right Cashauna Hill note for those gathered at Portland State University on July 28 to cel- Treasurer ebrate the life of Betty Roberts. Her dear friend , chief judge Kathleen J. Rastetter of the US District Court for the District of Oregon, introduced the song, Historian saying, "It is only through dedicating our lives to the lives of others that Kendra Matthews we can work for good in this world. The song dedicated for today's Board Members service was chosen by Betty herself. She chose it to send a message: That in reaching out to touch Sally Anderson-Hansell each of your lives, she ended up gaining so much more—you touched her life in return. And that Hon. Frances Burge Megan Burgess is how you must keep living. Carry Betty's torch—light others' torches—it is her charge to all of us: Bonnie Cafferky Carter Start a bonfire!" Laura Craska Cooper Dana Forman As Portland State Vice Provost Melody Rose said, "So much of Betty's life was spent in public service Gina Hagedorn that is widely known and deeply appreciated—these are the contributions that come readily to mind Amber Hollister in recent tributes to this unique and talented woman. But some of her greatest accomplishments Elizabeth Tedesco Milesnick Hon. Julia Philbrook were rarely chronicled because they were performed quietly, and often without attribution." Cassandra SkinnerLopata For Oregon Women Lawyers, Betty Roberts's public accomplishments had great significance: as a Shannon Reel prominent legislator, a savvy campaigner, Oregon's first female appellate judge, and an early advocate Hon. Jill Tanner Continued on page 12 Gloria Trainor Heather Walloch Hon. Youlee You Past Presidents Anita Hill Speaks at OWLS Fall CLE Concetta Schwesinger Gwyneth McAlpine By Ellen Klem Heather Van Meter Laura Caldera Taylor Kellie Johnson Norma S. Freitas Kate A. Wilkinson Jennifer K. De Wald Sarah J. Crooks Elizabeth Schwartz Lori E. Deveny Debra Pilcher Velure Marilyn E. Litzenberger Teresa M. Kraemer Patricia L. Heatherman The panel at the OWLS Fall CLE on October 14 (left to right): Julie Levie Caron Judge , Professor Anita Hill, Diane Schwartz Sykes Phylis Chadwell Myles Helle Rode n 1991, Anita Hill's courageous testimony On October 14, OWLS welcomed Professor Hill Diana Craine Kathryn M. Ricciardelli during the Clarence Thomas confirmation to Portland to deliver an inspirational keynote Agnes Sowle Ihearings sparked a national conversation address at the OWLS Fall CLE, held in downtown Katherine H. O'Neil about sexual harassment and women's equality Portland and attended by nearly 300 people. Executive Director in politics and the workplace. Today, Anita Hill Before Professor Hill delivered her remarks, Linda Tomassi, 503.595.7831 [email protected] is a professor of social policy, law, and women's the Honorable Jill Tanner of the Oregon Tax AdvanceSheet Editor studies at Brandeis University. Her new book, Court presented the OWLS Katherine H. O'Neil EliseGautier, 503.292.2893 Reimagining Equality: Stories of Gender, Race, Volunteer Service Award to Terri Kraemer. Terri [email protected] and Finding Home, was published in October. was honored for her steadfast dedication and www.oregonwomenlawyers.org Continued on page 14

OREGON WOMEN LAWYERS Arkanff.Ueet FALL 2011 Remembering Betty Roberts continued from page 1 of alterna- tive dispute resolution, Betty Rob- erts proved it could be done. Ev- ery bit as important, r though, Among the women judges for whom Justice Betty Roberts (at far right) paved the way (from left): Justice Martha Walters, Judge Ellen Rosenblum, Judge Susan Graber, Chief Judge Mary Deits, was her Justice Virginia Under, Judge Darleen Ortega, Justice Susan Leeson quiet work behind the scenes, offering wise counsel, of Appeals, has called her "the mother did not sit well with Betty, so when she whether cautionary or encouraging, to of Oregon women lawyers and judges gave the luncheon keynote, she threw Oregon Women Lawyers and the Oregon and our mentor-in-chief." Former Chief out her prepared remarks and spoke Women Lawyers Foundation, as well Judge of the about attitudes about women in the as her absolute embrace of all women Mary Deits said that arguing cases before courtroom. "Now take Gini Linder's green lawyers and law students who hoped to Judge Roberts showed her that a woman dress. That's perfectly appropriate court work "for good." could be an appellate judge. When Mary wear." It was the first time she realized Of the hundreds of people who at- Deits went on the bench herself, Betty that Betty had noticed her. tended her memorial service and the Roberts was the first person to call to Virginia Linder later asked Betty for thousands more who couldn't be there offer candid, blunt, humorous, and very her support when she put her name in but wanted to be, a great percentage useful advice. for the Oregon Court of Appeals, telling counted her as a friend. Her genuine According to Oregon Court of Appeals her she was a lesbian at the same time. interest in the lives of others quickly Judge Darleen Ortega, "Her example of Justice Linder says that when she decided transcended any barriers. Although she courage and grace under tremendous to run for the Oregon Supreme Court, always had advice, she also readily sought pressure literally kept me from giving "Betty grabbed my hand and jumped the ideas of others. Her almost boundless up early in my career—and her guid- out with me." energy and her desire to keep learning ance and encouragement has cheered Betty Roberts lived her life with pur- and growing kept her connected with a and fortified me in the years since I have pose. She taught us how to live, and she wide and varied circle of friends. been a judge." taught us how to die. She acknowledged One of the areas in which she had the In 2002, when Justice Susan Leeson that pulmonary fibrosis was a fatal dis- greatest influence was in getting more worried that leaving the Oregon Supreme ease, but she was engaged in life until women on the bench, then encouraging Court for health reasons might be seen the very end. Whether we knew her as a and supporting them once they were as a betrayal to women, as she was the symbol of women's achievement, a role there. Her help was hands-on and per- only woman on the court, just as Betty model, an inspiring speaker, a teacher, a sonal, whether it was public or behind Roberts had been, she said that the ques- friend, or a treasured confidante, each the scenes: walking door to door with tion was always "WWBRD?—What Would member of Oregon Women Lawyers can Marilyn Litzenberger to talk with voters Betty Roberts Do?" She phoned her and say, "Because I knew you I have been in her successful 2002 campaign for the was told, "Quit, get well, and don't ever changed for good."* Multnomah County Circuit Court, asking look back!" For more on the life of Betty Roberts, former Gov. Mark Hatfield to keynote The very first woman lawyer whom read her memoir, With Grit and By Grace: the Oregon Women Lawyers Founda- Oregon Supreme Court Justice Virginia Breaking Trails in Politics and Law (Or- tion's 2001 celebration of 40 consecutive Linder ever met was Betty Roberts, then egon State University Press, 2008) and years of women judges on the Oregon a gubernatorial candidate campaigning her 2005 oral history, taken by OWLS' circuit court bench, or spending hours at Southern Oregon College. Later, when founding president, Katherine O'Neil, on the phone answering questions from she was in law school, seeing Betty on available at www.americanbar.org/ attorneys interested in becoming judges. the bench gave her an ecstatic moment groups/sen iorjawyers/pages/roberts. Portland attorney Kathryn Root recalls of recognition: "It gave me my sense of html. A video of her memorial service working with Betty Roberts and Multno- place in the courtroom. I knew I could is at http://echo360.pdx.edu/ess/echo/ mah County Circuit Court Judge Mercedes belong there." presentation/4c31aelb-9a02-45ec-a06b- Deiz in 1989 to organize OWLS' first- When Virginia Linder began doing 4d460e6850ae. ever "How to Become a Judge" seminar, appellate work for the Oregon Depart- * This quotation is from the song "For thereby helping to demystify a process ment of Justice, she didn't have much Good" from the musical Wicked, music and that was then not widely understood. money for an extensive wardrobe. She lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. Up until Betty's death, every woman spent $20 (a large sum for her at that Diane Rynerson is the executive director who followed her on the Oregon appel- time) on a green dress to wear for oral of the National Conference of Women's late bench, from Susan Graber to Lynn argument. Later, she attended a "Women Bar Associations. Norma Freitas is the as- Nakamoto, benefited from her practical in the Courtroom" conference, and one sociate director of career and professional and personal assistance. Ellen Rosen- of the sessions discussed "proper dress" development at Willamette University blum, senior judge of the Oregon Court for women litigators. The advice offered College of Law.

OREGON WOMEN LAWYERS Adraiice President's Message ;bout a friend Betty Roberts to congratulate her OWLS' Political Leadership Series off the month on her well-deserved honorary doctorate ground. ALbefore from Portland State University—of which Betty was gracious, kind, funny, and becoming she was very proud—and I took the op- wise, and I was lucky to have the op- president of portunity to ask her how she was able portunity to get to know her. For those OWLS, I had to balance the demands of motherhood OWLS members who didn't have that my first child with her career. She told me this: "My opportunity, I hope you take the time (a daughter kids always gave me motivation to try a to ready her memoir. With Grit and By whose name little harder and do a good job—maybe Grace. It's a book every Oregonian, and is Ruby). De- just to show it could be done. But I think every woman, should read. Betty's story spite having I wanted them to be proud of me, for if helps us appreciate how far women have read stacks of they were not, that in itself would be come. Because of Betty and women like Heather L Weigler baby-related failure. Of course, Ruby is too young her, I have the luxury of figuring out books before to even know what you are doing, but how to balance motherhood and a legal her arrival, I found myself completely someday she will." career. We owe it to them to remember unprepared for the challenges of mother- I feel fortunate to have Betty's wisdom how far we've come and to continue the hood, particularly the challenges facing and encouragement to help keep me fight toward gender equality. a working mother. going when the working-mother going I hope that someday Ruby will live in a To be honest, I've had a difficult time gets tough. As Diane Rynerson's tribute world in which equal numbers of women being the lawyer, event organizer, and to Betty in this issue of the/AdvanceS/ieet and men serve in elective office; in which committee member I was before Ruby notes, Betty was dedicated to promot- women are paid as much as men for the arrived. It's a rare day that I make it to the ing other women in law and politics same work; in which women of all races, office on time. I've forgotten meetings and always willing to help her fellow ethnicities, and sexual orientations have that I would never have missed before, women lawyers navigate the challenges the same opportunities and rights as their and when I do remember to attend I'm of practicing law, both personal and straight white male counterparts. And I usually flying by the seat of my (much professional. hope that someday both Betty and Ruby larger than they used to be) pants. Instead I will never forget the first time I called will be proud of me for doing all I can to make that world a reality. of worrying about winning motions, I Betty for guidance. It took me a few I've started by trying to make it to the worry about whether Ruby is napping days to get up the gumption to do it, office on time. and whether I can sneak out early. And as I was sure she'd have no idea who I with every passing day, I'm a little more was and would be too busy to help me. amazed that so many successful women Although the former was probably true, lawyers are also wonderful mothers. the latter wasn't. I soon found myself in Heather L. Weigler Before I returned to work, I wrote my her apartment brainstorming how to get President, Oregon Women Lawyers Nominations Due Nov. 9 for Roberts, Deiz Awards WLS invites nominations for the The Judge Mercedes Deiz Award rec- 20th Annual Justice Betty Roberts ognizes an individual who has made an Oand Judge Mercedes Deiz Awards. outstanding contribution to promoting The awards recognize and celebrate the minorities in the legal profession and accomplishments of individuals in pro- in the community. The recipient of this moting women and minorities in the legal award is a person who has influenced profession and community in Oregon. The minorities to pursue legal careers, opened recipients will be honored at the annual doors for minority attorneys, or advanced awards dinner on Friday, March 9, 2012, opportunities for minorities within the at the Nines Hotel in Portland. profession. The Justice Betty Roberts Award rec- Nominations must be received by 5 p.m. Judge Mercedes Deiz (left) and ognizes an individual who has made an Wednesday, November 9, 2011. Nomina- Justice Betty Roberts on Feb. 8, 1982 outstanding contribution to promoting tions must include the following: nominee explaining how that women in the legal profession and in the • the appropriate nomination form person fulfills the award's criteria. community. The award recipient is a per- (available on the OWLS website, www. Please direct questions and send son who has influenced women to pursue oregonwomenlawyers.org); nominations (email preferred) to Amber legal careers, opened doors for women • at least three letters of recommenda- Hollister at [email protected]; fax: attorneys, or advanced opportunities for tion; and 971.204.0261; PO Box 231935, Tigard women within the profession. • detailed information about the OR 97281.

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