Avel Gordly, the first Black woman elected to Oregon’s State Senate, has died at 79. She passed away from natural causes at her home on Feb. 16. Her death marks the end of a historic chapter in Oregon politics.
Gordly was more than a lawmaker. She was a civil rights activist, mentor, and educator. For many, she was a steady voice for justice and equity in a state with a painful racial history.
A Historic First: Breaking Barriers in Oregon State Senate
Gordly made history when she became the first Black woman elected to the Oregon State Senate in 1996. She served until 2009. Before that, she spent three terms in the Oregon House of Representatives, starting in 1991. She represented parts of north and northeast Portland.
Her presence in the legislature was rare at the time. U.S. Rep. Janelle Bynum reflected on that reality in a public tribute.
“I knew I was standing on the shoulders of a giant,” Bynum wrote. “Sadly, her tenure as an elected Black Oregonian was so rare that many in the chamber thought she was a relative rather than the esteemed public servant who had dedicated and delivered so much to Oregon.”
That statement shows how groundbreaking Gordly’s leadership truly was. She did not just hold office. She changed what leadership looked like in Oregon.
Removing Racist Laws and Expanding Education Access in Oregon
During her time in the State Senate, Gordly worked to remove racist language from Oregon’s constitution. Those old laws had once banned Black people from settling in the state. Her efforts helped confront that painful history.
She also sponsored Senate Bill 300, known as the Expanded Options Bill. The law allows Oregon high school students to take college courses while still in high school. Students can earn college credit early. That policy opened doors for many young people.
In addition, Gordly supported mental health reform and social justice efforts. She served as co-chair of then-Gov. John Kitzhaber’s Task Force on Racial and Ethnic Health. Through that work, she pushed for fair treatment in healthcare systems.
Championing Juneteenth and Harriet Tubman Middle School
Gordly also pushed for Oregon to recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday. She believed history should be honored openly and honestly. Her advocacy helped bring wider awareness to the importance of June 19.
Moreover, she worked with community leaders to support the creation of Harriet Tubman Middle School in Portland. The school became a symbol of pride in the neighborhood.
Lakeitha Elliott, who called Gordly “a mother and a mentor,” spoke about her dedication.
“She worked really hard to get Tubman Middle School into our neighborhood,” Elliott told local news.
Elliott said Gordly felt proud of her “community daughters” before she passed.
“I think she went trusting that the community was in good hands because of the mentorship that she provided to us,” she said.
From Public Office to Black Studies Professor at Portland State University
After retiring from public office in 2009, Gordly did not slow down. Instead, she joined the faculty at Portland State University. She became an associate professor in the Black Studies Department.
Teaching allowed her to shape young minds in a new way. She returned to her alma mater to give back through education. In 2017, the university honored her with an honorary Doctor of Letters degree.
Her life showed a full circle of service. She moved from activism to lawmaking to teaching. Each role strengthened the next.
Avel Gordly leaves behind her son, Tyrone Wayne Waters, her sister Faye Burch, and many loved ones. Yet her true legacy lives in the laws she changed, the students she inspired, and the community she mentored.
