Norman, Cora, 1926-

Cora Norman grew up in Texarkana, Arkansas. After her marriage to Dr. William H. Norman, the young couple moved to El Paso, Texas where Norman earned a B.A. from the University of Texas at El Paso. Moving to Oxford, Mississippi, Norman gained an M.A. in chemistry and physics and a Ph. D. in higher education administration from the University of Mississippi. After teaching high school in Holly Springs and Lafayette County school systems, Norman became the Administrative Assistant to the Director of Continuing Education at the University of Mississippi.

In 1972, Norman received an appointment as executive director for the newly created Mississippi Humanities Council which disburses public funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities to educational institutions, libraries, and programs that enhance the intellectual life of Mississippians. She retained this position until her retirement in 1996.

In Oxford, Norman was a founding member of the local chapter of the League of Women Voters (LWV) and a past president of the Jackson LWV. After attending several LWV workshops on running for public office, Norman decided to enter a race for State Auditor in 1991, taking unpaid leave from her post with the Mississippi Humanities Council. Her campaign promised to streamline purchasing procedures and eliminate costly red tape. She lost the race to fellow Democrat Steve Patterson. Norman was the only female in 1991 to campaign for state office.

Norman is the mother of Robert H. Norman and Judy Bratton. She was active in the American Association of University Women serving as state president, national board member, and vice president of AAUW Education Foundation. Norman chaired the International Visitors' Center in Jackson, Mississippi and sat on the Smith Robertson Museum and Cultural Center board of directors, the Rust College board of trustees, and the Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame board of directors. She also served as vice president of the Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters.