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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (April 19, 1978)
She's a state senator, an ardent feminist and a victim of blatant sexism. She’s Mary "Wendy” Roberts, D-Portland, one of eight Democrats fac ing off in the May 23 primary election for the labor commissioner s seat, which Democrat Bill Stevenson is vacating. The labor commissioner administers the state Bureau of Labor, which en forces civil rights laws, wage-and-hour laws and the state’s employee appren ticeship and training program. A flood of civil rights complaints filed with the labor bureau has resulted in a backlog of cases that often are dealt with too late, Roberts says. And as labor commissioner she would “prioritize cases for service.” "Some cases have a time factor that is crucial,” Roberts explains. “The fairest way to deal with civil rights cases is not always in chronological order.” Because she is familiar with both labor and legislative ropes, Roberts claims she fits the bill for labor commissioner. The University graduate and Hon ors College member began her polit ical career winning the house seat from East Multnomah County. In 1974 she won the Senate post and served on labor, business, consumer committees — and the powerful Ways and Means Committee. Roberts, 33, considers her experience in both chambers essential to the labor commissioner’s background — particu larly when the Legislature begins draw ing up the budget. “You just can't walk into (the Legisla ture) cold,” she says. "You have to know who you are dealing with. The House Feminist Roberts says senate work vital in labor battle By CHRIS NORMAN Of the Emerald and Senate experience is helpful; the Ways and Means, crucial. “I can’t see not having any Ways and Means experience because guess who determines your budget — Ways and Means. I’m the only one in the race who has been on that committee. The advan tage I have is that I understand the pro cess.” Roberts’s stiffest challenge may come from Nellie Fox, the political director of the Oregon AFL-CIO, and Ralph Groener, a Clackamas county commis sioner. As a civil rights advocate, Roberts concedes her feminist perspective will influence her work as labor commis sioner. “A lot of women have lost their jobs because they're pregnant,” she says. “The employers decided either the women can’t do the job or they are afraid of a pregnant woman in the office. "It’s absurd to say a woman can’t work because she’s pregnant. How many women are just slaving away when they’re pregnant, washing clothes, mind ing the kids, answering telephones, making beds and fixing meals,” Roberts argues. ‘ But, boy, they sure couldn’t handle sit ting at a desk (typing),’’ she says acidly. “You don’t hear about expectant fathers losing their jobs and people worrying about them because they might become a father.” Roberts says her staunch feminist at titude stems from her actual experi ences. “There’s nothing like a divorce to find out women can be self-sufficient,” she says. Her parents were divorced when she was 11; consequently, Roberts grew up in a home where the mother worked full time. “It never occurred to (me) that there was anything else,” she says. “(I) didn’t go through the white-knight syndrome where someone is going to come gallop ing up on a big charger, step off and say, My lady, I’m going to take care of you for the rest of your life.' ” But after several episodes during her 1966 travels in Europe, Roberts quickly realized her personal interactions with the people were based largely on the fact she was a woman 'and I found that pretty offensive.” “Once I was beaten up in Paris for no reason at all,” she says. “It was about 9 p.m. right on the main street, in front of a big, outdoor cafe with a lot of people there. Someone just came up to me. grabbed me and told me to go with him.’ “And then he proceeded to beat me when I refused to accompany him. I ran into the cafe up to the counter and said, This man is crazy, call the police.' But they didn't want to get involved. Then he ran in and said Don’t call the police, she’s crazy. It’s just a family thing. ” On that note, Roberts turned and flew out the cafe door. On another occassion in Paris she was walking to her uncle's home when some fellow started to follow her. After she was inside the man knocked on the door and tried to buy Roberts from her unde. She also had visions of joining the state department, but shied away when she learned women applicants were ad vised to have typing skills. “I think these experiences had af fected me because I had achieved a lot and leaned a lot in college and was pre paring myself for being a real contribut ing person in life to society with all these noble ideas," Roberts says. “And then I went to Europe and found out all that was not considered.” Beall events rescheduled Certain upcoming events at Beali Concert Hall have been re scheduled for the month of April. The composition student’s reci tal previously scheduled for 8 p.m. Friday has been moved to 12:30 p.m. April 28. The Brahms Horn Trio has been scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Thurs day. A student recital by Carol Robe was previously set for Wednes day. The new date is April 27 at 8 p.m. Kathleen Bohn, scheduled to give a recital April 27 has cancel led her performance. TEST PREPARATION SPECIALISTS SINCE 1938 Visit Our Centers And See For Yourself Why We Make The Difference Call Days, Eves & Weekends Classes now forming for tke upcoming LSAT, DAT, 6MAT, A MCAT. Eugene 343-2618 Portland 222-5556 OPEN DAILY 10-10; SUN. 10-6 WED., THURS., FRI., SAT. Present this ad to Shoe Department for these special K-mart prices. Women’s Trax Jogging Shoe Men’s Sport Casual Athletic Shoe All suede leather upper. Cross country sole with wrap around toe and heel. Buy two at this price! Sizes 7-12 in brown only. Reg. 14.97 A lightweight fashion jogger with cleft bottom, split suede and nylon upper. 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