Avel Gordly

Avel Gordly
Undated portrait of Gordly by Richard E. Brown
Member of the Oregon Senate
from the 23rd district
In office
1997–2009
Preceded byRon Cease
Succeeded byJackie Dingfelder
Member of the Oregon House of Representatives
from the 19th district
In office
1991–1996
Preceded byRon Cease
Succeeded byJo Ann Bowman
Personal details
Born(1947-02-13)February 13, 1947
DiedFebruary 16, 2026(2026-02-16) (aged 79)
Portland, Oregon, U.S.
PartyIndependent (since 2006)
Other political
affiliations
Democratic (until 2006)
Alma materPortland State University
OccupationActivist, community organizer, educator
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Avel Louise Gordly (February 13, 1947 – February 16, 2026) was an American activist, community organizer, and politician in the U.S. state of Oregon. In 1996, she became the first African-American woman to be elected to the Oregon State Senate, serving from 1997 to 2009.