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Sylvia Roberts Obituary

Sylvia was born on January 6 in Bryan, TX, while her father was a professor at Texas A&M, in 1933. She lived in Lafayette for 10 years and later moved to Los Angeles, CA in 1945. She graduated from UCLA. in 1953, was accepted into its law school, but decided to return to LA, where she attended LSU Law School and later, Tulane Law School from which she graduated in 1956. She went to the University at the Sorbonne in Paris for a year after graduating from law school to study comparative law. She began her legal career in New Orleans with the law firm of H. Alva Brumfield, later moving to Brumfield's office in Baton Rouge. She was active in the founding of the National Organization for Women and in 1969 won the precedent-setting case of Weeks v. Southern Bell, on appeal, while vice president of the NOW Legal Defense and Education Fund. The precedent ended restrictions on job availability under the guise of "protection" for women workers. She was also able to help people who had been wrongfully committed to hospitals for the insane. In 1966 she got the Legislature to pass resolutions authorizing her to sue for damages on behalf of her clients and obtained the release of many patients wrongfully confined. In recent years, she turned her efforts towards prevention of domestic violence and the prevention of teen dating violence to stop the problem at its inception. She was able to practice almost 60 years before her death on December 29, 2014. Her professionalism and competence, as well as her commitments to her clients, served as a model for the entire Baton Rouge legal community and the Louisiana Bar Association members. She was qualified to practice before several courts, including the Supreme Court of the United States. In accordance with her wishes, there will be no funeral services.

Published by The Advocate from Jan. 9 to Jan. 11, 2015.
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I've known Sylvia since she was about 10 yrs old...She and her sister would attend Spanish Club meetings I attended which her dad, Dr. Roberts ran at the University of Southwestern. Years later we met in the National Org, for Women which she started in Louisiana AND was a co founder with Betty Friedan and others. She was also on the board of Veteran Feminists of America, which I founded in 1990.... So many more great memories of experiences with Sylvia. Her bio is on VFA's webpage, www.vfa.us. Jacqui Michot Ceballos

Jacqui Michot-Ceballos

Friend

March 28, 2017

Sylvia was simply the best. She was instrumental in my life and I am blessed to have known her.

Lynn Gildersleeve

February 25, 2015

Sylvia Roberts was a courageous, strategic, feminist lawyer who opened doors for all women in the Weeks vs Southern Bell case. She was regional Director South for NOW when I was the Midwest director. Days of great accomplishment. One of our heroes.

Mary Jean Collins

January 29, 2015

My husband and I have been one of Sylvia's longing running clients. She swore my husband in for his first term as a Zachary City Councilman, as well as swearing me in when I passed the Notary test. I loved her wit, intelligence as well as her southern charm. I will truly miss her

Diane Womack

January 19, 2015

Sylvia Roberts was such an inspiration to NOW activists in Louisiana. She was smart, brave, and had a great sense of humor. She leaves a legacy of extraordinary achievements for women. Thank you, Sylvia!

Terry O'Neill

January 18, 2015

Allison Kleinpeter

January 18, 2015

There will be an empty chair at the holiday table this year, but it will be filled with loving memories.

Sharah Harris

January 14, 2015

Society needs more attorneys like Sylvia Roberts, she will be missed.

Lasserre, Jr Harold

January 14, 2015

She was an amazing trailblazer and inspiration for us women lawyers. I hope I can be as vital and productive as she was up until her very end. Janice Villarrubia

January 14, 2015

Sylvia Roberts took me on as a substitute secretary for the summer in 1980 when I was only 16 for my first job ever. I learned so much from her and admired her dedication to the law. I'm so sorry to learn that she's gone.

Kathleen Rossman

January 14, 2015

I worked with Mrs Roberts for several years and I admired her. I am sorry for this loss. My prayers are with her family.

Shari Morman

January 13, 2015

Will miss seeing her walk to court...What a great lady....

Terrie G

January 13, 2015

Bernice Kent

January 12, 2015

Sylvia was a blessing to know. As one of her many clients, I know personally what a great legal mind she possessed as well as a compassionate heart. She will be sorely missed by all who knew her.

Marilyn Daigle

January 12, 2015

To Sylvia's Family and Friends, especially Fannie Godwin, I am so heartbroken by this loss. Sylvia was one of a kind- a woman of principle, courage and conviction. She will truly be missed- especially in the legal profession.

Alfreda Tillman Bester

January 12, 2015

Sylvia's soft-spoken but unruffled determination, her defense of the fundamental dignity and rights of women, and her generous and inclusive spirit were an inspiration to all of us who in the 70's, dared to show up and advocate for equal rights under the law for women. We will not forget her legacy, her courage and commitment and the crucial credibility she brought to our movement.

Jane Chandler

January 11, 2015

She was a gutsy woman and a fabulous feminist. So glad I had the opportunity to interview her and will be able to write her story.

Janet Allured

January 10, 2015

A truly great one has passed

Ida Martinez

January 10, 2015

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