Barbara Roberts

Barbara Roberts was the 34th Governor of Oregon, serving from 1991 to 1995, and the first woman to hold the office. A member of the Democratic Party, her administration was noted for its focus on education reform, healthcare, and environmental protection. Prior to her governorship, she served as the Oregon Secretary of State and in the Oregon House of Representatives.

Early life and education

Born in Corvallis, Oregon, she was raised in a working-class family and attended David Douglas High School in Portland. After graduating, she worked various jobs before enrolling at Portland State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1971. Her early career included work with the Oregon Department of Human Services and advocacy for children with disabilities, which profoundly shaped her political outlook and commitment to social services.

Political career

Her entry into electoral politics began with a successful campaign for the Oregon House of Representatives in 1980, representing a district in Multnomah County. In the Oregon Legislative Assembly, she championed legislation on education funding and disability rights. In 1984, she was elected as the Oregon Secretary of State, becoming the first woman in that role, where she oversaw Oregon elections and implemented significant reforms to the state's audit and corporation divisions. Her tenure as secretary of state positioned her for a gubernatorial run in the 1990 Oregon gubernatorial election.

Governorship of Oregon

Elected in the 1990 Oregon gubernatorial election, she succeeded Neil Goldschmidt and was inaugurated in January 1991. Her term coincided with a national recession, requiring difficult budget decisions, but she secured passage of the Oregon Education Act for the 21st Century, a landmark school reform bill. She also advanced the Oregon Health Plan, expanding coverage, and signed executive orders to protect old-growth forests, drawing both praise from environmental groups and opposition from the timber industry. Her administration faced challenges, including a contentious Ballot Measure 5 property tax limitation and political battles with the Oregon Legislative Assembly, contributing to her decision not to seek re-election in 1994.

Later life and legacy

After leaving the Oregon State Capitol, she served as a fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School and taught at Portland State University. She remained active in public policy, advocating for death with dignity laws and serving on boards for organizations like Emerge America. Her legacy is marked by her trailblazing role for women in Pacific Northwest politics, her steadfast advocacy for public education and healthcare access, and her influence on a generation of Oregon Democrats, including former Governor John Kitzhaber and United States Senator Ron Wyden.

Personal life

She married State Senator Frank Roberts in 1974; he died in 1993 during her governorship. In 2005, she married former Governor John W. Kitzhaber; they divorced in 2019. She has two sons from a previous marriage, one of whom has Down syndrome, which inspired her lifelong advocacy for disability services. An avid reader and gardener, she has authored a memoir, Up the Capitol Steps, detailing her political journey.

Category:1936 births Category:Living people Category:Governors of Oregon Category:Oregon Democrats Category:Oregon secretaries of state Category:Portland State University alumni