History may be made in a variety of ways. But when
Oregon’s only two female governors join forces, it’s bound to be memorable.
Former governor Barbara Roberts, who held the seat from
1991 – 1995, will join current Governor Kate Brown in leading the 2015 Portland
Rose Festival’s Grand Floral Parade. The two politicians have been named grand
marshals and will march at the forefront of the parade, scheduled for 10 a.m.
on June 6.
According to the event website, committee members chose
the grand marshals to “salute the leadership and statesmanship of these two
women, who have helped make Oregon such a great state to live in and visit.” The
accomplishments and contributions of Roberts and Brown are indeed extensive.
Kate Brown gained the office in February after serving as
Secretary of State, a result of former governor John Kitzhaber’s resignation. Upon being sworn in, Brown promised to
work toward restoring unity and public trust in the governmental system. Brown’s prior accomplishments include
becoming the first woman to serve as Oregon senate majority leader and updating
the state’s campaign finance reporting system.
Two decades before, Barbara Roberts had charted unknown
political territory, serving as the state’s very first female governor. Facing
political and societal stigmas, Roberts worked hard to pursue goals of improved
public education and the protection of human rights. Roberts’s governorship is also remembered for its focus on tax reforms and environmental
interests. In 2011, she published a memoir chronicling her unlikely rise to
power, titled Up the Capitol Steps. OSU Press is proud to announce that the
Rose Festival Association provided a copy of the memoir to each princess
on the 2015 Rose Court.
“I am so honored to be joining governor Kate Brown as
Grand Marshal of Portland’s 2015 Grand Floral Parade,” Roberts wrote in a news
release covered by the Oregonian. “As
the only two women who share the historic role as Oregon Governors, we look
forward to celebrating with Portland and with Oregon in our state’s equally
historic Grand Floral Parade.”
With these two influential women at the helm, the parade
promises to live up to its 2015 theme and be a “bloomin’ good time.”