Norma Paulus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Norma Paulus
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| Superintendent of Public Instruction of Oregon | |
| In office October 1, 1990 – January 4, 1999 |
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| Governor | Neil Goldschmidt Barbara Roberts John Kitzhaber |
| Preceded by | John Erickson |
| Succeeded by | Stan Bunn |
| 20th Secretary of State of Oregon | |
| In office January 3, 1977 – January 7, 1985 |
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| Governor | Robert Straub Victor Atiyeh |
| Preceded by | Clay Myers |
| Succeeded by | Barbara Roberts |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Norma Jean Petersen
March 13, 1933 Belgrade, Nebraska, U.S. |
| Died | February 28, 2019 (aged 85) Portland, Oregon, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | William Paulus (died 1999) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Willamette University (LLB) |
Norma Jean Paulus (born Petersen; March 13, 1933 – February 28, 2019) was an American lawyer and politician from Oregon. She was born in Nebraska and grew up in Eastern Oregon. After becoming a lawyer, she entered politics as a Republican.
Norma Paulus made history in 1977. She became the first woman elected to a statewide public office in Oregon. This was when she became the Oregon Secretary of State. Later, she served for nine years as the Oregon Superintendent of Public Instruction. She also tried to become Governor of Oregon and a U.S. Senator, but was not successful. Before she passed away in 2019, Paulus lived in Portland. She was active in many non-profit groups. She also supported a ballot measure to create open primary elections in Oregon.
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Early Life and Education
Norma Jean Petersen was born in Belgrade, Nebraska, on March 13, 1933. She was one of seven children. She grew up in Eastern Oregon and finished high school in Burns in 1950. Her first job was as a secretary for the district attorney in Harney County.
After getting better from poliomyelitis, she moved to Salem, Oregon, the state capital. There, she worked as a legal secretary. She even worked for important judges like Earl C. Latourette and William M. McAllister. One of them suggested she go to law school. She started at Willamette University in 1956, even without a college degree.
While studying law, she met William G. Paulus, who would become her husband. Norma Paulus graduated with honors in 1962. She earned a law degree (LL.B.) from Willamette University College of Law. After law school, she worked as a private lawyer before starting her political career.
Norma Paulus's Political Journey
Paulus began her political career in 1970. She was elected to the Oregon House of Representatives. She represented Salem and Marion County as a Republican. She was re-elected twice, serving until 1975.
In 1976, Paulus was elected as Oregon's first female Secretary of State. This was a major step, as she was the first woman to win a statewide election in Oregon. She started her term on January 3, 1977. She served two terms, leaving office on January 7, 1985.
As Secretary of State, she was involved in important events. In 1984, a religious group tried to influence local elections. They bused homeless people to Wasco County to register them to vote. Paulus recommended emergency rules to stop this. A federal judge agreed with her, saying the rules were fair. This helped protect the fairness of elections.
After being Secretary of State, Paulus ran for governor in 1986. She won the Republican primary election. However, she lost the main election to Neil Goldschmidt, a Democrat. During this time, President Ronald Reagan asked her to help oversee the presidential elections in the Philippines.
In 1987, she joined the Northwest Power and Conservation Council. On this council, she supported efforts to protect fish habitats in the region. She left the council in 1989 to run for Oregon Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Leading Oregon's Schools
On October 1, 1990, Norma Paulus was appointed as the Superintendent of Public Instruction. She then won the election for a full term later that year. She was re-elected in 1994. In this role, she was in charge of Oregon's public education system.
As superintendent, Paulus helped bring in statewide tests in 1991. These tests were for students in grades 3, 5, 8, and 11. Other education changes included the Certificate of Initial Mastery (CIM). This program was designed to help students prepare for careers or further education. Paulus also supported programs that connected school learning to real-world jobs. At that time, she was one of only ten women in the entire country to hold such a high education position. She left the office on January 4, 1999, after two terms.
Later Life and Community Involvement
Norma and her husband William had two children, Elizabeth and Fritz. After her political career, Paulus continued to be very active. In 1996, she was named to the National Assessment Governing Board. This board helps set standards for national student assessments.
She received honorary degrees from several universities. From 2000 to 2003, she was the executive director of the Oregon Historical Society. She also served on the board of the Oregon State Capitol Foundation for many years. She was involved with other groups like the High Desert Museum and the Oregon Coast Aquarium. In 2004, she received a special award from the University of Oregon for her service.
In 2008, Paulus helped create Ballot Measure 65. This measure aimed to change how primary elections work in Oregon. In 2015, the Oregon Blue Book was dedicated to her. This honored her long service and her role as the first woman elected to statewide office in Oregon.
A book about her life, "The Only Woman In the Room": the Norma Paulus story, was published in 2017. It was based on interviews and historical records. Norma Paulus passed away on February 28, 2019, at the age of 85.
See also
- List of female secretaries of state in the United States
