Avel Gordly

Avel Gordly DEMDemocrat

Activist, community organizer, state politician

Profile Photo
Avel GordlyDEMDemocrat Activist, community organizer, state politician
76
Years of Age
12
Years of Experience
ORResidence (state)

Avel Louise Gordly (born February 13, 1947) is an activist, community organizer, and former politician in the U.S. state of Oregon, who in 1996 became the first African-American woman to be elected to the Oregon State Senate. She served in the Senate from 1997 to 2009. Previously, she served for five years in the Oregon House of Representatives.

Education4 - 4 of 2
Portland State University
BS
1974
John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
Past Positions1 - 5 of 5
Senator
Oregon State Senate
1996 - 2008
Representative
Oregon State House of Representatives, 1991-1996.
Community Liaison
Multnomah County Health Department
Current
Adult Parole and Probation Officer
Oregon Corrections Division
Department of Black Studies
Portland State University
Other Experience1 - 18 of 18
Associate Executive Secretary
American Friends Service Committee, Pacific Northwest Region
Current
Citizen Chair
Portland Police Bureau’s Chief’s Forum
Current
Director of Youth Services
Urban League
Current
Member
Oregon Uniting Advisory Committee
Current
Member
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
Current
Member
Highland United Church of Christ
Current
Parent Coordinator
Albina Head Start
Current
Program Director
House of Umoja
Current
Rape Victim Advocate
Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office
Current
Senior Fellow
American Leadership Forum
Current
Director
Southern Africa Program, American Friends Service Committee
1983 - 1990
Former Coordinator
Albina Headstart Parent Involvement Center
Co-Chair
Governor’s Racial and Ethnic Health Task Force
Co-Chair
Senate President’s Interim Task Force on Parental and Family Abductions
Experience
Supreme Court Access to Justice Task Force
Experience
Governor’s Task Force on Environmental Justice
Experience
Governor’s Mental Health Alignment Task Force
Founder
African American Mental Health Commission
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