Governor Barbara Roberts has been advocating for equity since the first time she spoke up for her autistic son’s educational rights while attending a local school board meeting. This began her career as a public speaker, leading to her political work for more than fifty years. Over the years she has been speaking out as a strong advocate for numerous causes; disability rights, women’s rights, LGBTQ rights, environmental concerns, death with dignity rights, equality and respect for all, and more.

Today at 85 years old, Roberts continues to speak publicly, passionately, a voice for equity, whether at keynote speeches, commencement addresses, political rallies and endorsements for candidates and issues, leadership conferences, Ted X presentations, or any other gathering rallying for fairness and insight.

My name’s Zo, and I’m a Guyanese American transdisciplinary artist and storyteller based in Eugene, Oregon, on Kalapuya Ilihi.

I’m originally from Roselle Park, New Jersey, on Munsee Lenape land but grew up in the outskirts of Houston, Texas, on Akokisa land. I’m a doctoral student in the University of Oregon Indigenous, Race, and Ethnic Studies department, the executive director of Fernland Studios, and a graduate employee for the PNW Just Futures Institute for Racial and Climate Justice.

I received my bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, minoring in Geography, from Texas State University, and graduated with my Environmental Studies master’s degree at the UO. My doctoral research explores AfroIndigenous surrealism, Caribbean feminism, and Queer diasporas.

When I’m not writing, you can find me hiking around the Pacific Northwest, taking pictures of trees and sea anemones. I thrive on grasping the knowledge of the unknown and look forward to sharing more stories. Let’s get to know each other.

I have been a passionate photographer for two decades and I have truly enjoyed exploring the world through photography. I have spent a great deal of time fine tuning my skills so that I can create superior images consistently and quickly. I launched Andie Petkus Photography in 2005 with a commitment to creating high-quality images while providing first-rate customer service. I became a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) through Professional Photographers of America in 2010.

Check out Andie's website!