Gretchen Kafoury

Who is Gretchen Kafoury?

Gretchen Kafoury is a politician in the U.S. state of Oregon, who has served in the Oregon House of Representatives, the Multnomah County Commission, and the Portland City Council. She served in the legislature from 1977 to 1982, the Multnomah County Commission from 1985 to 1991 and the Portland City Council from 1991 to 1998.

Kafoury co-founded the Oregon chapter of the National Organization for Women in 1970 and the Oregon Women's Political Caucus in 1971.

In 1972, Kafoury was one of a small group of women who protested the City Club of Portland's policy excluding women members, effecting a change in the club's policy of more than fifty years.

The Kafoury family has been referred to as Portland's "most enduring political dynasty;" her husband Stephen preceded her in the legislature, and her daughter Deborah Kafoury served two terms there as well, including one as minority leader.

Since 1999, Kafoury has been an instructor at Portland State University, teaching classes related to homelessness, poverty, and community development.