Betty Roberts Livres

Betty Roberts' memoir chronicles her remarkable journey from a Depression-era childhood in Texas to becoming Oregon's first woman Supreme Court Justice. Defying societal norms, she returned to college as a 32-year-old wife and mother, dedicating her life to women's equality. Her narrative highlights her roles as a mother, wife, and political pioneer during a transformative era marked by the Civil Rights Movement and the emerging women's movement. Blending personal anecdotes with historical context, her story is a powerful testament to resilience and friendship amidst adversity.

Betty Phipps Roberts' biography chronicles her journey from aspiring writer to dedicated Registered Nurse, navigating financial challenges and family responsibilities. Despite her nursing career across multiple states, she never abandoned her passion for writing, attending various classes and workshops. The book uniquely combines her life story with thirteen fictional short stories crafted over forty years. After retirement, she embraced oil painting, further showcasing her artistic pursuits and lifelong commitment to creativity.

El closed her eyes and drew into the corner against the rock-clay bank and the rough boards. She could hear water dripping inside the mine shaft, could smell the dankness, feel the cold air being drawn through the cracks between the boards; she could picture Hollie as she had seen her running up the road in her yellow dress, breaking free, running, the yellow dress pressed against her thighs, starlight sliding along her arms and legs, flowing over her long gold hair, white-faced, doe-eyed, and frightened. She opened her eyes and gasped, alarmed by the sounds of a struggle close at hand. They had reached the railroad tracks, and Emmett was blocking the way. There was nowhere for Hollie to run except out onto the bridge.