Patricia Avery, a native of Champaign County, was raised by her
grandparents, David and Nannie Green. David Green was a Roofer
by trade and Nannie was a Housekeeper. She is a graduate of Centennial
High School and a continuing education student at Parkland College.
It is to her grandmother that she gives the credit for teaching
her life's most valuable lessons, i.e. hard work, respect for
yourself, your elders and your neighbors. With these principles
instilled in her mind and heart, Patricia's interest in philanthropic
work grew as she became involved in many and varied organizations,
i.e. the Y.W.C.A., study circles, Best Interest of Children, Court
Advocate for Victims of Domestic Violence at a Woman's Fund.
Her work in County Government began in 1986 in the Office of
the County Auditor and County Recorder. In 1996, she was the first
African-American Woman ever appointed or elected to a Champaign
County office. In 1998, she ran again for the Champaign County
Board and won, being the first African-American to win in a district
outside of District #5 in Champaign County. On December 4, 2000,
she became the first woman, the first African-American and the
first Democrat to chair the Champaign County Board.
Many honors have been bestowed on her through the years. Among
them, are the Martin Luther King Outstanding Achievement Award,
the Green Meadows Girl Scout Award for increasing opportunities
for girls and women in sports and was nominated for the "Y.W.C.A's"
Forgotten Achiever's Award.
She is the mother of one daughter, two sons and foster mother
of two sons.
Patricia
Avery
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denotes original charter members of the Champaign County Section
of the National Council of Negro Women.