Severns was born January 21 , 1952 in Decatur , Illinois . After graduating high school , she attended Southern Illinois University 's Carbondale campus . While in college , at the age of 20 , she served as an alternate delegate to the 1972 Democratic National Convention , the then youngest person elected to serve in that role . In 1974 , she graduated with a bachelor 's degree in political science and international relations
1972 Democratic National Convention
1972 Democratic National Convention
Penny Severns