Barbara Kay Roberts (née Hughey; born December 21, 1936) is an American politician from the state of Oregon.

[4] The Hugheys' second daughter Pat was born a few years later and then they moved to Los Angeles, California in 1940 where her father worked as a machinist.

Following World War II, the Hugheys returned to Oregon, settling in Gold Creek in Yamhill County in 1945, and then finally in Sheridan.

[5] With her older son, Mike, diagnosed in 1962 as "severely emotionally disturbed" (later identified as autism), she became an advocate for special-needs children.

In 1971, she successfully lobbied the Oregon State Legislature to require public schools to guarantee educational rights to these children.

It is widely believed that this was the first time that a gay-identified chorus sang for the inauguration of a statewide elected official of any state.

During her term as governor, Roberts worked with the Clinton administration to secure federal waivers and funding for the Oregon Health Plan.

The Roberts administration was known for its strong support of gay rights and appointed women to positions in state government.

She has also maintained an active public speaking career, addressing issues of death and grieving, leadership, women in politics, and environmental stewardship.

In early 2011, Roberts returned to government service, as a member of the six-person Metro council, the Portland metropolitan area's elected regional government, after Robert Liberty resigned in January from his position as councillor representing Metro district 6.