Avel Gordly
Encyclopedia
Avel Louise Gordly is an activist, community organizer, and former politician who in 1996 became the first African-American woman to be elected to the Oregon State Senate
.
to a mother active in local leadership within the Order of the Eastern Star
and a father who worked for the railroad. She graduated from Girls Polytechnic High School in 1965 (which later merged with Benson Polytechnic
). After five years at Pacific Northwest Bell
, she enrolled at Portland State University
, earning a degree in the administration of justice.
in 1991, where she served three terms, representing parts of north and northeast Portland. In 1996 she was elected to the Oregon State Senate
, the first African-American woman to do so; she served in the Senate from 1997 to 2009. In 2008, while serving as senator, OHSU opened the Avel Gordly Center for Healing, which provides mental health and psychiatric services.
.
Oregon State Senate
The Oregon State Senate is the upper house of the state-wide legislature for the U.S. state of Oregon. Along with the lower chamber Oregon House of Representatives it makes up the Oregon Legislative Assembly. There are 30 members of the State Senate, representing 30 districts across the state,...
.
Early years
Gordly was born in Portland, OregonPortland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
to a mother active in local leadership within the Order of the Eastern Star
Order of the Eastern Star
The Order of the Eastern Star is a fraternal organization that both men and women can join. It was established in 1850 by Rob Morris, a lawyer and educator from Boston, Massachusetts, who had been an official with the Freemasons. It is based on teachings from the Bible, but is open to people of all...
and a father who worked for the railroad. She graduated from Girls Polytechnic High School in 1965 (which later merged with Benson Polytechnic
Benson Polytechnic High School
Benson Polytechnic High School is a technical public high school in the Portland Public Schools district. Its campus is located in the center of Portland's Eastside commercial area. Students are given a special emphasis in a technical area...
). After five years at Pacific Northwest Bell
Pacific Northwest Bell
Pacific Northwest Bell Telephone Company was an AT&T majority-owned Bell System company that provided local telecommunications services in Oregon, Washington, and northern Idaho. Pacific Northwest Bell Telephone Company was formed on July 1, 1961 when it was spun off from the Pacific Telephone and...
, she enrolled at Portland State University
Portland State University
Portland State University is a public state urban university located in downtown Portland, Oregon, United States. Founded in 1946, it has the largest overall enrollment of any university in the state of Oregon, including undergraduate and graduate students. It is also the only public university in...
, earning a degree in the administration of justice.
Political office
Gordly was elected to the Oregon House of RepresentativesOregon House of Representatives
The Oregon House of Representatives is the lower house of the Oregon Legislative Assembly. There are 60 members of the House, representing 60 districts across the state, each with a population of 57,000. The House meets at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem....
in 1991, where she served three terms, representing parts of north and northeast Portland. In 1996 she was elected to the Oregon State Senate
Oregon State Senate
The Oregon State Senate is the upper house of the state-wide legislature for the U.S. state of Oregon. Along with the lower chamber Oregon House of Representatives it makes up the Oregon Legislative Assembly. There are 30 members of the State Senate, representing 30 districts across the state,...
, the first African-American woman to do so; she served in the Senate from 1997 to 2009. In 2008, while serving as senator, OHSU opened the Avel Gordly Center for Healing, which provides mental health and psychiatric services.
Recent work
Gordly is an adjunct professor at her alma mater, and with Patricia A. Schecter, is the author of Remembering the Power of Words (2001, ISBN 0870716042), her memoirs, published by Oregon State University PressOregon State University Press
Oregon State University Press, or OSU Press, founded in 1961, is a university press that publishes roughly 15 titles per year and is part of Oregon State University...
.
External links
- Biography and Curriculum Vitae at Portland State UniversityPortland State UniversityPortland State University is a public state urban university located in downtown Portland, Oregon, United States. Founded in 1946, it has the largest overall enrollment of any university in the state of Oregon, including undergraduate and graduate students. It is also the only public university in...
- Biography from The Oregon EncyclopediaThe Oregon EncyclopediaThe Oregon Encyclopedia of History and Culture is a collaborative encyclopedia, under development, focused on the history of the U.S. state of Oregon. The encyclopedia is a project of Portland State University's History Department and the Oregon Historical Society...
- Follow the Money - Avel Gordly (1992 1994 1996 2000 2004 2006)