Tape 58, Side 1. In the thirty-ninth interview session, conducted on August 30, 1993, Atiyeh discusses Oregon politics since he left elected office in 1987. He talks about the members of Oregon’s congressional delegation; speaks about Oregon business and labor leaders; and talks about members of the Oregon Legislature. He also shares his opinions about national political figures. He reflects on his accomplishments as governor.

Tape 59, Side 1. In the fortieth interview session, conducted on September 3, 1993, Atiyeh continues to reflect on his accomplishments as governor, particularly regarding his handling of the Oregon economy during the recession of the 1980s.

Tape 56, Side 2. In the thirty-ninth interview session, conducted on August 30, 1993, Atiyeh discusses Oregon politics since he left elected office in 1987. He talks about the members of Oregon’s congressional delegation; speaks about Oregon business and labor leaders; and talks about members of the Oregon Legislature. He also shares his opinions about national political figures. He reflects on his accomplishments as governor.

Tape 58, Side 2. In the fortieth interview session, conducted on September 3, 1993, Atiyeh continues to reflect on his accomplishments as governor, particularly regarding his handling of the Oregon economy during the recession of the 1980s.

Tape 57, Side 2. In the thirty-ninth interview session, conducted on August 30, 1993, Atiyeh discusses Oregon politics since he left elected office in 1987. He talks about the members of Oregon’s congressional delegation; speaks about Oregon business and labor leaders; and talks about members of the Oregon Legislature. He also shares his opinions about national political figures. He reflects on his accomplishments as governor.

Tape 60, Side 2. In the forty-first interview session, conducted on September 10, 1993, Atiyeh discusses his activities since leaving office. He talks about the state of the Republican Party at the time of the interview in 1993; discusses his involvement with the Boy Scouts, the Japan-America Society, and other organizations; and speaks about his business dealings. He talks about his children, their families, and their careers. He shares some of his favorite quotes.

Tape 59, Side 2. In the fortieth interview session, conducted on September 3, 1993, Atiyeh continues to reflect on his accomplishments as governor, particularly regarding his handling of the Oregon economy during the recession of the 1980s.

Tape 60, Side 1. In the forty-first interview session, conducted on September 10, 1993, Atiyeh discusses his activities since leaving office. He talks about the state of the Republican Party at the time of the interview in 1993; discusses his involvement with the Boy Scouts, the Japan-America Society, and other organizations; and speaks about his business dealings. He talks about his children, their families, and their careers. He shares some of his favorite quotes.

Tape 61, Side 1. In the forty-first interview session, conducted on September 10, 1993, Atiyeh discusses his activities since leaving office. He talks about the state of the Republican Party at the time of the interview in 1993; discusses his involvement with the Boy Scouts, the Japan-America Society, and other organizations; and speaks about his business dealings. He talks about his children, their families, and their careers. He shares some of his favorite quotes.

Tape 61, Side 2. In the forty-first interview session, conducted on September 10, 1993, Atiyeh discusses his activities since leaving office. He talks about the state of the Republican Party at the time of the interview in 1993; discusses his involvement with the Boy Scouts, the Japan-America Society, and other organizations; and speaks about his business dealings. He talks about his children, their families, and their careers. He shares some of his favorite quotes.

Tape 63, Side 1. In the forty-second interview session, conducted on June 11, 1998, Atiyeh reflects on his accomplishments as a legislator and as governor, particularly focusing on his efforts to diversify Oregon’s economy. He discusses the Northwest Power Planning Council. He revisits the topics of his retirement activities, his business dealings, and his children. He closes the interview by talking about a 1998 shooting at Thurston High School in Springfield and his stance on gun control.

Tape 63, Side 2. In the forty-second interview session, conducted on June 11, 1998, Atiyeh reflects on his accomplishments as a legislator and as governor, particularly focusing on his efforts to diversify Oregon’s economy. He discusses the Northwest Power Planning Council. He revisits the topics of his retirement activities, his business dealings, and his children. He closes the interview by talking about a 1998 shooting at Thurston High School in Springfield and his stance on gun control.

Tape 62, Side 2. In the forty-second interview session, conducted on June 11, 1998, Atiyeh reflects on his accomplishments as a legislator and as governor, particularly focusing on his efforts to diversify Oregon’s economy. He discusses the Northwest Power Planning Council. He revisits the topics of his retirement activities, his business dealings, and his children. He closes the interview by talking about a 1998 shooting at Thurston High School in Springfield and his stance on gun control.

Tape 62, Side 1. In the forty-second interview session, conducted on June 11, 1998, Atiyeh reflects on his accomplishments as a legislator and as governor, particularly focusing on his efforts to diversify Oregon’s economy. He discusses the Northwest Power Planning Council. He revisits the topics of his retirement activities, his business dealings, and his children. He closes the interview by talking about a 1998 shooting at Thurston High School in Springfield and his stance on gun control.

Tape 64, Side 1. In the forty-second interview session, conducted on June 11, 1998, Atiyeh reflects on his accomplishments as a legislator and as governor, particularly focusing on his efforts to diversify Oregon’s economy. He discusses the Northwest Power Planning Council. He revisits the topics of his retirement activities, his business dealings, and his children. He closes the interview by talking about a 1998 shooting at Thurston High School in Springfield and his stance on gun control.

This oral history interview with Betty Roberts was conducted by Katherine Huff O'Neil at Roberts' home in Portland, Oregon, from October 24 to November 16, 2005, as part of the United States District Court Oral History Project. In addition to the audio recording of the interview, the collection includes a transcript; 50 digital photographs depicting Roberts' childhood, family, and later judicial career and activities; and one photographic print of Roberts. The collection also includes an index to the digital photographs. The interview was conducted in five sessions. The audio for session five was not donated, but its content is available in the transcript.

In the first interview session, conducted on October 24, 2005, Roberts discusses her family background and early life in Texas, including her father's disability and the financial strain her family suffered during the Depression. She also talks about her early education, including playing on a girls football team. She talks about attending Texas Wesleyan College; meeting Bill Rice and their subsequent marriage; and moving to Southern Oregon in 1946. She describes raising a family, and returning to college later in life to pursue a teaching career.

In the second interview session, conducted on November 7, 2005, Roberts briefly speaks further about her experiences during the Depression. She then talks about getting involved in Democratic politics while attending Portland State University; the difficulty of balancing school, work, politics, and family; and her 1960 marriage to Frank Roberts. She also discusses some of the discrimination she faced due to her age and gender. She talks about studying at Northwestern College of Law, including her professors and fellow students. She discusses serving in the Oregon House of Representatives from 1965 to 1968. She talks about her experience as one of the few women in the Legislature, some of the legislation she worked on, and passing the Oregon bar in 1967. She talks about meeting Keith Skelton in the Legislature and their subsequent marriage in 1968. She then talks about serving in the Oregon Senate from 1969 to 1977. She describes the lack of a women's restroom in the Senate and other forms of discrimination she faced. She speaks about legislation on abortion that she worked on.

In the third interview session, conducted on November 10, 2005, Roberts continues to discuss serving in the Oregon House of Representatives. She speaks at length about legislation she worked on, including bills allowing married women to choose their names, and legalizing abortion. She talks about other women legislators and the formation of the women's caucus in 1973, as well as much of the legislation on women's rights they worked on. She also discusses her committee assignments, practicing law in Portland while serving in the Legislature, and the formation of the Oregon Court of Appeals in 1977. She discusses her appointment as a judge to that court.

In the fourth interview session, conducted on November 16, 2005, Roberts discusses serving as a judge on the Oregon Court of Appeals from 1977 to 1982. She discusses her appointment; her fellow judges, particularly Herb Schwab; and the sexism she faced. She then discusses serving as a justice on the Oregon Supreme Court from 1982 to 1986. She talks about her appointment, her fellow justices, and her experience as the first woman on the court. She also talks about some of the cases she heard and precedents set by her opinions. She then talks about her reasons for retiring in 1986, as well as her work as a mediator. Roberts and O'Neil discuss the formation of Oregon Women Lawyers and some of that organization's activities.

In the fifth and final interview session, conducted on February 26, 2007, Roberts revisits several topics from earlier in the interview, including her experiences at Portland State University, her early involvement in Oregon politics, and balancing education, career, and family. She closes the interview by talking about the increase in the number of women in the legal profession. The content of this session is available only in the interview transcript.

Tape 1, Side 1. In the first interview session, conducted on October 24, 2005, Roberts discusses her family background and early life in Texas, including her father’s disability and the financial strain her family suffered during the Depression. She also talks about her early education, including playing on a girls football team. She talks about attending Texas Wesleyan College; meeting Bill Rice and their subsequent marriage; and moving to Southern Oregon in 1946. She describes raising a family, and returning to college later in life to pursue a teaching career.

Tape 2, Side 2. In the second interview session, conducted on November 7, 2005, Roberts briefly speaks further about her experiences during the Depression. She then talks about getting involved in Democratic politics while attending Portland State University; the difficulty of balancing school, work, politics, and family; and her 1960 marriage to Frank Roberts. She also discusses some of the discrimination she faced due to her age and gender. She talks about studying at Northwestern College of Law, including her professors and fellow students. She discusses serving in the Oregon House of Representatives from 1965 to 1968. She talks about her experience as one of the few women in the Legislature, some of the legislation she worked on, and passing the Oregon bar in 1967. She talks about meeting Keith Skelton in the Legislature and their subsequent marriage in 1968. She then talks about serving in the Oregon Senate from 1969 to 1977. She describes the lack of a women’s restroom in the Senate and other forms of discrimination she faced. She speaks about legislation on abortion that she worked on.

Tape 3, Side 1. In the third interview session, conducted on November 10, 2005, Roberts continues to discuss serving in the Oregon House of Representatives. She speaks at length about legislation she worked on, including bills allowing married women to choose their names, and legalizing abortion. She talks about other women legislators and the formation of the women’s caucus in 1973, as well as much of the legislation on women’s rights they worked on. She also discusses her committee assignments, practicing law in Portland while serving in the Legislature, and the formation of the Oregon Court of Appeals in 1977. She discusses her appointment as a judge to that court.

Tape 1, Side 2. In the first interview session, conducted on October 24, 2005, Roberts discusses her family background and early life in Texas, including her father’s disability and the financial strain her family suffered during the Depression. She also talks about her early education, including playing on a girls football team. She talks about attending Texas Wesleyan College; meeting Bill Rice and their subsequent marriage; and moving to Southern Oregon in 1946. She describes raising a family, and returning to college later in life to pursue a teaching career.

Tape 2, Side 1. In the second interview session, conducted on November 7, 2005, Roberts briefly speaks further about her experiences during the Depression. She then talks about getting involved in Democratic politics while attending Portland State University; the difficulty of balancing school, work, politics, and family; and her 1960 marriage to Frank Roberts. She also discusses some of the discrimination she faced due to her age and gender. She talks about studying at Northwestern College of Law, including her professors and fellow students. She discusses serving in the Oregon House of Representatives from 1965 to 1968. She talks about her experience as one of the few women in the Legislature, some of the legislation she worked on, and passing the Oregon bar in 1967. She talks about meeting Keith Skelton in the Legislature and their subsequent marriage in 1968. She then talks about serving in the Oregon Senate from 1969 to 1977. She describes the lack of a women’s restroom in the Senate and other forms of discrimination she faced. She speaks about legislation on abortion that she worked on.

Tape 3, Side 2. In the third interview session, conducted on November 10, 2005, Roberts continues to discuss serving in the Oregon House of Representatives. She speaks at length about legislation she worked on, including bills allowing married women to choose their names, and legalizing abortion. She talks about other women legislators and the formation of the women’s caucus in 1973, as well as much of the legislation on women’s rights they worked on. She also discusses her committee assignments, practicing law in Portland while serving in the Legislature, and the formation of the Oregon Court of Appeals in 1977. She discusses her appointment as a judge to that court.

Tape 4, Side 1. In the third interview session, conducted on November 10, 2005, Roberts continues to discuss serving in the Oregon House of Representatives. She speaks at length about legislation she worked on, including bills allowing married women to choose their names, and legalizing abortion. She talks about other women legislators and the formation of the women’s caucus in 1973, as well as much of the legislation on women’s rights they worked on. She also discusses her committee assignments, practicing law in Portland while serving in the Legislature, and the formation of the Oregon Court of Appeals in 1977. She discusses her appointment as a judge to that court.

Tape 6, Side 1. In the fourth interview session, conducted on November 16, 2005, Roberts discusses serving as a judge on the Oregon Court of Appeals from 1977 to 1982. She discusses her appointment; her fellow judges, particularly Herb Schwab; and the sexism she faced. She then discusses serving as a justice on the Oregon Supreme Court from 1982 to 1986. She talks about her appointment, her fellow justices, and her experience as the first woman on the court. She also talks about some of the cases she heard and precedents set by her opinions. She then talks about her reasons for retiring in 1986, as well as her work as a mediator. Roberts and O’Neil discuss the formation of Oregon Women Lawyers and some of that organization’s activities.

Tape 5, Side 2. In the fourth interview session, conducted on November 16, 2005, Roberts discusses serving as a judge on the Oregon Court of Appeals from 1977 to 1982. She discusses her appointment; her fellow judges, particularly Herb Schwab; and the sexism she faced. She then discusses serving as a justice on the Oregon Supreme Court from 1982 to 1986. She talks about her appointment, her fellow justices, and her experience as the first woman on the court. She also talks about some of the cases she heard and precedents set by her opinions. She then talks about her reasons for retiring in 1986, as well as her work as a mediator. Roberts and O’Neil discuss the formation of Oregon Women Lawyers and some of that organization’s activities.

Tape 5, Side 1. In the fourth interview session, conducted on November 16, 2005, Roberts discusses serving as a judge on the Oregon Court of Appeals from 1977 to 1982. She discusses her appointment; her fellow judges, particularly Herb Schwab; and the sexism she faced. She then discusses serving as a justice on the Oregon Supreme Court from 1982 to 1986. She talks about her appointment, her fellow justices, and her experience as the first woman on the court. She also talks about some of the cases she heard and precedents set by her opinions. She then talks about her reasons for retiring in 1986, as well as her work as a mediator. Roberts and O’Neil discuss the formation of Oregon Women Lawyers and some of that organization’s activities.