Avel Gordlywas an activist, community organizer, and former
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.

After retiring from the legislature, Gordly joined the faculty
of Portland State University as an associate professor in
the Black studies Department. She was 79. 

Avel Louise Gordly (February 13, 1947 – February 16, 2026)