Marilyn Avila

Biography

Marilyn Avila is a state representative from Raleigh and former chairwoman of the Wake County Republican Party.

Early Life and Education 

Marilyn Womack was born Jan. 3, 1949, to Noyce and Christine Womack in Statesboro, Ga., Her father was a tobacco and cotton farmer; her mother, a homemaker.

She grew up on a farm in Bulloch County, Ga., graduating from Portal High School in 1967.

She then went to Georgia Southern College (now University), earning a bachelor of science in chemistry in 1971.

Professional Career 

After graduation, she worked in textiles for J.P. King Finishing Co., until 1973.

She moved to Winston-Salem in 1973 to work for Hanes Dye & Finishing Co. as an assistant plant chemist for three years. She then went to work for Hanes Hosiery for about three years.

She became a full-time mother in 1980, living in Florida.

In 1981, she moved to Raleigh to run her own business, Focus One Hair Designs, which ran four hair-styling salons in the Raleigh-Cary area.

She ran the company until 1990.

In 1991, she went to work part-time as an administrator for the John Locke Foundation, a conservative think tank in Raleigh.

Political Career

She became involved in the mid-1980s in politics because of a concern over local school issues.

In 1988, she joined the Republican Women's Club, serving as president and treasurer. She also served on the county Republican Party executive committee.

From 2003 to 2006, she served as chairwoman of the Wake County Republican Party.

In 2006, she was elected to the state House of Representatives. She faces Democrat Stan Morse in the November electons.

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