Oregon has lost a trailblazing leader and civil rights champion. Avel Gordly, who made history as the first Black woman elected to Oregon’s state senate, has died at 79.
The beloved politician and activist died of natural causes in her home on February 16, 2026. Her passing marks the end of an era in Oregon politics and civil rights advocacy.
Three Terms in the Oregon House of Representatives
Gordly’s political career began in 1991 when she started serving in the Oregon House of Representatives. She represented parts of north and northeast Portland with dedication and purpose.
She served three terms in the House, building relationships and establishing her legislative priorities. Her work focused on communities that had been historically marginalized and underserved.
During these years, she developed the reputation that would carry her to the state senate. Colleagues and constituents recognized her commitment to justice and equality.
Making History in the Oregon State Senate
The year 1996 marked a historic milestone for Oregon. Gordly was elected to the State Senate, becoming the first Black woman to serve there.
She held her senate seat until 2009, serving for over a decade. Her tenure shaped legislation that continues affecting Oregonians today.
The significance of her election cannot be overstated. She broke barriers that had stood since Oregon’s founding as a state.
Fighting to Remove Racist Exclusion Laws
During her time in the state senate, Gordly tackled Oregon’s shameful history directly. She worked to remove laws from the state constitution that banned Black people from settling in Oregon.
These exclusion laws represented Oregon’s racist founding principles. Gordly understood that removing them was both symbolic and necessary for healing.
Her efforts to confront this history head-on demonstrated courage and moral clarity. She refused to let Oregon ignore its discriminatory past.
The Expanded Options Bill: Opening College to High Schoolers
Gordly sponsored Senate Bill 300, also known as the Expanded Options Bill. This legislation fundamentally changed educational opportunities for Oregon students.
The bill allows Oregon high school students to take courses at local colleges. Students can earn college credit while still completing their high school education.
This dual enrollment option has benefited countless students since its passage. It makes higher education more accessible and affordable for Oregon families.
Championing Mental Health and Social Justice Reform
Education wasn’t Gordly’s only legislative focus. She championed mental health initiatives and social justice reform throughout her career.
She served as co-chair of Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber’s Task Force on Racial and Ethnic Health. This position allowed her to address health disparities directly.
Her work acknowledged that health outcomes are deeply connected to racial justice. She understood that systemic change requires addressing multiple interconnected issues.
Advocating for Juneteenth Recognition
Gordly fought for Oregon to recognize Juneteenth as an official holiday. She understood the importance of commemorating emancipation and Black freedom.
Her advocacy helped bring national attention to Juneteenth before it became widely recognized. Oregon eventually adopted the holiday thanks partly to her persistent efforts.
This work connected historical memory to contemporary justice movements. Gordly believed remembering the past was essential for building a better future.
Creating Harriet Tubman Middle School
Gordly collaborated with community leaders on education projects beyond legislation. She pushed for the creation of Harriet Tubman Middle School in Portland.
“She worked really hard to get Tubman Middle School into our neighborhood,” Lakeitha Elliott told KPTV News. The school represents community pride and educational excellence.
Naming the school after Harriet Tubman honored Black history and resistance. Gordly ensured that students would learn in a space celebrating Black heroism.
Mentoring Community Daughters
Elliott describes Gordly as both “a mother and a mentor” to many young women. She invested personally in the next generation of leaders.
Elliott recalled their final conversation with deep emotion. Gordly expressed pride in her “community daughters” and the values she’d instilled.
“I think she went trusting that the community was in good hands because of the mentorship that she provided to us,” Elliott said. This legacy of mentorship may prove as lasting as her legislation.
Transitioning to Academia at Portland State University
Gordly retired from public office in 2009 after nearly two decades of service. She became an associate professor in the Black Studies Department at Portland State University.
Remarkably, Portland State was her alma mater. She returned to the institution that had shaped her own education decades earlier.
Teaching allowed her to influence students directly rather than through policy. Her classroom became another site of activism and community building.
Honorary Doctorate Recognizes Lifetime Achievement
Portland State University honored Gordly in 2017 with an honorary Doctor of Letters. The recognition celebrated her contributions to Oregon and beyond.
The degree acknowledged both her political achievements and academic work. Few people excel in both public service and scholarship simultaneously.
This honor came from the institution where she’d studied and now taught. It represented a full-circle moment in her remarkable life journey.
U.S. Rep. Janelle Bynum Honors Her Mentor
U.S. Representative Janelle Bynum took to Instagram to reflect on Gordly’s legacy. She called the late senator “a mentor and a true friend.”
“I knew I was standing on the shoulders of a giant,” Bynum wrote in her tribute. She acknowledged the foundation Gordly built for Black elected officials.
“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,” Bynum continued. This observation highlights both Gordly’s singularity and Oregon’s representation problem.
A Legacy of Public Service and Community Love
Avel Gordly leaves behind her son, Tyrone Wayne Waters, and sister, Faye Burch. She also leaves countless friends, mentees, and admirers across Oregon.
Her legacy extends far beyond biological family. She created a community family through decades of service and mentorship.
The laws she passed, schools she championed, and people she mentored ensure her impact endures. Oregon is better because Avel Gordly fought for justice within it. Her work will continue inspiring activists and elected officials for generations to come.