Bridges Digital Archive: Audio and Video Recordings

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Document Type

Oral History

Publication Date

12-6-2016

Abstract

Carolyn Tillman interviews Deborah Robertson, mayor of Rialto and woman of great accomplishments. Robertson starts the interview by talking about her family and mentioning that, as a child, she had thought she was special due to her birthday being on Juneteenth. She was raised in a Baptist family and said that an aunt of hers said she knew Roberton was special as she reportedly was born with a blue veil and not a placenta. The interviewee was born and raised in San Diego, growing up in a diverse and caring community. At the age of 15, she became pregnant and later married the father of her child. Robertson eventually applied for welfare aid to help raise her child and wanted a job. After volunteering at that same San Diego Welfare Department, she gained skills that would help her in her future job. At age eighteen, she worked for the Pacific Bell Company. When she turned to secondary education and wanted to pursue a master’s degree, she was successful in winning aid from the National Urban Fellows and covered her expenses. After working as executive director for the Port of Los Angeles, she eventually accepted a position working as a Caltrans Administrator in San Bernardino. This was chosen from a position with Social Services in Los Angeles. The Caltrans Administrative position changed her life as she was able to leave the company in better shape. She wrote the PASS document that helped mitigate instances of harassment, sexism, and served as a sort of dress code. Robertson also mentioned that when finding out about and joining the National Council of Negro Women of the Inland Empire, she met the interviewer as well as many other notable women. Robertson then speaks about working for fourteen years as Los Angeles’s Deputy District Director of External Affairs. The discussion then changes to Robertson’s goals for youth that will make Rialto and the Inland Empire stronger with the youths’ support. By having them educated and then returning to the community where they are connected, they may end up helping their city positively. She also mentioned she has children and grandchildren who work in Caltrans and attend the Cal State system. When asked about her accomplishments, Robertson mentioned that she wants to be remembered as someone who has three generations in the NCNW. The interview ends with Robertson saying she wanted to buy a building for the NCNW and that she is the first African American woman to be elected and then reelected in Rialto's council.

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