A Voice for Equity

Barbara Roberts was elected Governor of Oregon in 1990, becoming the first woman governor in her state and one of the first ten women governors in the nation. Previously, she held public office for 24 years, including ten years as a school board member, a community college board member, a county commissioner, and an Oregon State Representative, plus six years as Oregon Secretary of State. Barbara is a native Oregonian and descendant of 1853 Oregon Trail pioneers.




Roberts began her active public service life as an unpaid, part-time, legislative advocate for disabled children. She was successful in securing passage of one of the first special education laws in the nation that served children with emotional disorders. This success was a result of her efforts to help her autistic son. That first legislative win was the start of a long, notable political career.


In 1974, Barbara Roberts married Frank Roberts, her state senator at that time and a political mentor. Frank became not only her husband but her biggest supporter of her political aspirations. During Barbara's term as governor (1991 --1995) Sen. Frank Roberts died of cancer in 1993. Several years later, Barbara wrote her first book about her husband's death and her grieving process: Death Without Denial, Grief Without Apology (NewSage Press, 1st Ed. 2002, 2nd Ed. 2016).


Following her tenure as Oregon's 34th governor, Roberts spent a decade in higher education administration focused on state and local government leadership. She served five years at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government followed by five years at Portland State University's Hatfield School of Government in Oregon.




Among Roberts's many recognitions are the naming of the Oregon Department of Human Services Building in her honor and the naming of the Barbara Roberts High School in Salem. In addition, she also received honorary doctorate degrees from Willamette State University and Portland State University, and an Honorary Doctor of Human Letters from Western University College of Osteopathic Medicine. In 2020, Barbara was named as one of Oregon's ten 'Women of the Century" as part of a 50-state national program.




Today, Barbara Roberts is the author of four published books, as well as an active public speaker and mentor to aspiring Oregon politicians. She is the mother of two grown sons, grandmother of two, and step-grandmother of 16. In 2020 at 85 years old, Governor Roberts continues to be a vocal spokesperson for women's leadership, disability issues, LGBTQ rights, environmental concerns, and equality and dignity for all people.


Throughout Oregon Barbara Roberts's voice is recognized and applauded. This book tells part of her story.