Avel Gordly, the pioneering legislator who became the first Black woman elected to the Oregon State Senate, died Feb. 16, 2026. She was 79.
Born in Portland, Gordly grew up in a working-class neighborhood and drew inspiration from a family of community organizers. She entered the Oregon House of Representatives in 1991, representing her home district for five years. In 1996, she won a seat in the state senate, where she served as a prominent politician and advocate for social justice until 2009.
Her work extended beyond the capitol into healthcare and education. Oregon Health and Science University recognized her contributions in 2008 by naming its behavioral health unit the Avel Gordly Center for Healing. This facility focuses on providing culturally responsive mental health services to the community. In 2011, she published her memoir, titled "Remembering the Power of Words," which detailed her experiences as a community leader.
The City of Portland honored her public service by proclaiming March 30, 2022, as "Avel Louise Gordly Day." She continued her work in community advocacy and education until the end of her life. Her career transformed the political representation of Black women in the Pacific Northwest.