Gladys McCoy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gladys McCoy
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| Multnomah County Chair | |
| In office January 1987 – April 11, 1993 |
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| Preceded by | Pauline Anderson |
| Succeeded by | Hank Miggins |
| Multnomah County Commissioner | |
| In office 1979–1984 |
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| Preceded by | Barbara Roberts |
| Succeeded by | Earl Blumenauer |
| Portland Public Schools Board Member | |
| In office 1970–1978 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | February 28, 1928 Atlanta, Georgia, United States |
| Died | April 11, 1993 (aged 65) Portland, Oregon, United States |
| Spouse | William "Bill" McCoy |
| Children | 7 |
| Residence | Portland, Oregon |
| Education | Talladega College Portland State University |
Gladys McCoy (born February 28, 1928 – died April 11, 1993) was an important American politician. She was the first African American person to be elected to a public job in the state of Oregon.
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Biography
Gladys McCoy was born in 1928 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She went to Talladega College in Alabama. There, she earned a bachelor's degree. Later, in 1967, she earned a master's degree in social work from Portland State University.
Early Political Career
In 1970, Gladys McCoy was elected to the board of the Portland Public Schools. This made her the first black person elected to public office in Oregon. She served on the school board until 1978. Her husband, Bill McCoy, also became a politician. He was elected to the Oregon House of Representatives in 1972.
Multnomah County Leadership
Gladys McCoy was elected to the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners in 1978. This group helps lead the county. She left this job in 1984 to try and join the Portland City Council, but she did not win that election. In 1986, she successfully ran for Multnomah County Chair. This meant she became the main leader for Multnomah County. She held this important role until she passed away on April 11, 1993, from a type of cancer.
Gladys and Bill McCoy had seven children together.
Legacy
Gladys McCoy left a lasting impact on her community. Many places and awards are named in her honor.
Honoring the McCoys
McCoy Park in Portland is named after both Bill and Gladys McCoy. A sculpture called The Dream, which shows Martin Luther King Jr., is also dedicated to them in Portland.
Gladys McCoy Award
The Gladys McCoy Award was created in 1994. This award honors people who have shown the same dedication as Gladys McCoy. It is given to individuals who have made big differences in things like fairness for all people, helping kids and families, improving neighborhoods, and supporting education. The Multnomah County Community Involvement Committee gives out this award every year. The names of the winners are shown publicly in the Multnomah County Boardroom.
In 2019, Multnomah County moved its health department to a new building. This building was named after Gladys McCoy.
