Norma Paulus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Superintendent of Public Instruction of Oregon | |
| In office October 1, 1990 – January 4, 1999 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 (née Petersen; March 13, 1933 – February 28, 2019) was an American lawyer and politician in the state of Oregon. A native of Nebraska, she was raised in Eastern Oregon before becoming a lawyer. A Republican, she first held political office as a representative in the Oregon House of Representatives, and then became the first woman elected to statewide public office in Oregon when she became Oregon Secretary of State in 1977. Paulus later served as Oregon Superintendent of Public Instruction for nine years. She made unsuccessful bids to become Governor of Oregon and United States Senator. Prior to her death on February 28, 2019, Paulus lived in Portland, where she was involved with several non-profit groups and sponsored a ballot measure to create open primaries in Oregon's statewide elections.