Margaret J. Dobson

My name is Mary Lou Claypool and I am nominating Dr. Margaret J. Dobson to the Walk of the Heroines. I am a graduate, and a past student secretary of Dr. Dobson while attending Portland State University. While serving in these two roles, I observed two distinguishing sides to Margaret. From the secretary side, I found her professionalism, knowledge and ability to master and accomplish anything set before her. She fought for peers in salary equality, class loads; raised funds for The United Way; carved out the future PSU would take in addressing Title IX. Margaret was able to balance her life as a professor, caregiver for her mother, fundraiser, speaker, and recreation for herself. On the student side, Dr. Dobson was consistent, extremely knowledgeable, and advised new teachers of problems they will face in the field. She helped students set high goals, gave them tools to help achieve those goals and to accept their own limitations. One specific phrase: "You are, not only what you achieve, but what you have learned during the process of achievements and failures." Failure is not what you don't achieve, failure is not learning from your mistakes. Dobson is extraordinary because she exhibits high standards of professionalism, offers guidance, understanding, a helping hand to those in need and encouragement and compassion for everyone she comes in contact.

Dr. Dobson encouraged graduate students to share their teaching experiences with the methods classes in the Education Department. She wanted students to learn firsthand experience from other students fresh out of college. Students felt they were learning from ground zero, instead of professors that had not seen the classroom in 20 years. She used her classes to familiarize her students with special needs concerns. It was common to attend evening class and have 15-20 Down Syndrome children present and join in with the teaching of the day.

Margaret Dobson's adversities may look like accomplishments to many, but the ability in addressing issues can change the outcome. One example, she was the first woman to play baseball on a men's college team; the 1951 Vanport (later PSU) men's baseball team. This was an honor but at the same time, provided obstacles. Acceptance of other men and women in a MAN's sport, locker room, motel, travel and the media helped to mold her future role as an athlete and leader within the community as well as Vice President of Portland State University. Dr. Dobson's accomplishments as an athlete are numerous and recognized in the Portland Metropolitan Softball Hall of Fame, Oregon Sports Hall of Fame, National Softball Hall of Fame, All American Team 5 times, record batting average of 615, played on 3 World Champion Teams, Time magazine recognition, PSU Magazine (spring 2006), Sport's Illustrated (Oregon's 50 Greatest Sports Figures of the 20th century), and USO softball tours. Dr. Dobson's accomplishments as an athlete were eclipsed by her role in education. It was through sports that she became committed to making sports available to ALL children and education a major part of her life. She researched and created the Physical Fitness Tests for U.S. Public School Children in the 1960s. She met with Eunice Kennedy Shriver in 1962 and became an advocate and influential person in instructing future educators on how to teach special needs children and adults. By 1968, the various camps had grown into a global movement known today as the Special Olympics.

Dr. Dobson is the author of numerous publications on women's sports, co-author of the first book on Women's Softball, recipient of the President Kennedy Award for Physical Fitness Leadership, listed in Personalities of the West and Midwest, and Who's Who in Education.

She was the first female of a major university to be appointed to Vice President in the Oregon System of Higher Education. During Dobson's tenure as an administrator at Portland State, under Dr. Blumel, the University added five certificate programs, five baccalaureate degrees, four master's degrees, and four doctoral programs. She worked to adjust women professors' salaries and bring the University salaries in compliance with Title IX. This leadership affected other universities and high schools across the nation.

Her greatest achievement was receiving the President's Award for University Advancement in 2006. This award recognized her long career of exceptional service, advocacy and support for the University. She has been involved with Portland State throughout its 60+ year history. She is currently Executive Vice President Emerita at PSU, a member of Viking Backer Advisor Council, and a generous donor and supporter at PSU.

Margaret Dobson is a cornerstone of PSU, a leader in sports, a visionary in education, a leader in the community and exemplifies the word "heroine."

Locate on Walk:

• Stage Wall (Left Wall), 1-14