Penny Severns
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Penny Severns | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Illinois Senate from the 51st district | |
| In office 1987–1998 | |
| Preceded by | James H. Rupp |
| Succeeded by | Kevin Kehoe |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 21, 1952 |
| Died | February 21, 1998 (aged 46) |
| Party | Democratic |
| Domestic partner | Terry Mutchler (1993-1998) |
| Alma mater | Southern Illinois University |
| Profession | Politician |
Penny Severns (1952–1998) was a member of the Illinois Senate who represented the 51st Senate District from 1987 until her death in February 1998.
Severns was born January 21, 1952, in Decatur, Illinois. After graduating from high school, she attended Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. While in college, at the age of 20, she was an alternate delegate to the 1972 Democratic National Convention, the then-youngest person elected to serve in that role.[1] In 1974, she graduated with a bachelor's degree in political science and international relations.[1]
Beginning in 1977, Severns served for two years as a special assistant to the administrator of the Agency for International Development.[1] In this capacity she traveled to Nepal, India and Thailand, where she audited the United States' mission in those countries. She also represented the agency during the negotiations of the Camp David Accords.[1] While in Washington, Severns also was a resident associate at the Smithsonian Institution.[1] After leaving the State Department Severns took a job with Decatur-based Archer Daniels Midland.[1]
In 1980 she ran for Congress against Edward Rell Madigan, but lost in a year that heavily favored the Republican Party.[2] In her second attempt for public office, she won a seat on the Decatur City Council with the largest number of votes in the city's history at that time.[1]
In 1983, Severns became the Democratic Party of Illinois's Central Committeewoman from Illinois's 20th congressional district, serving alongside Central Committeeman Vince Demuzio.[3] In 1996, she was succeeded by Ellen Sinclair of Salem, Illinois.[4]
