Monroe Evans
| Monroe Evans | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Fayetteville, North Carolina | |
|
In office 1965–1966 | |
| Preceded by | Wilber Clark |
| Succeeded by | Charles B.C. Holt |
| Personal details | |
| Spouse(s) | Mildred (nee Dlugin) Evans |
| Profession | Democratic |
Monroe E. Evans is an American politician who served as the Mayor of Fayetteville, North Carolina, from 1965 until 1969.[1] He was the city's first Jewish mayor.[2] Monroe helped to lead Fayetteville's desegregation reforms during the 1960s.[3]
The Evans family are the descendents of Lithuanian Jews who immigrated to the United States.[4] Monroe Evan's father, Isaac Evans, was born in a shtetl in present-day Lithuania in 1877.[4] Evans's brother, Mutt Evans, also served as the Mayor of Durham, North Carolina, from 1951 to 1963.[3] His nephew, Eli Evans, is the author of "The Provincials: A Personal History of Jews in the South."[3][4]
As mayor, Monroe helped to lead Fayetteville's desegregation during the Civil Rights Movement.[3][5] Evans admitted that he initially "didn't have the fainted idea" the transition to full desegregation beginning in 1965.[5] He worked with various city community and civic leaders to work on the transition. In 2001, Monroe told the Fayetteville Observer that, "It was a rough time, Evans said. But I got a lot of good people to work with. It worked here in Fayetteville."[5] On February 1, 2001, Fayetteville State University (FSU) honored former Mayor Evans and three others for their efforts during the Civil Rights Movement.[5] The three others who were honored with Evans were teacher Katie Forshee; James Herring, a former FSU student who helped to elect an African-American candidate, Sylvia X. Allen, to the Fayetteville City Council; and Pat Reese, a late writer for the Fayetteville Observer who died in October 2000.[5]
He later served as an appointed member of the Fayetteville Airport Commission circa 1990 with former Mayor Beth Finch.[6]
References
- ↑ "Inside Politics: Cumberland delegation works together". Fayetteville Observer. December 2013. Retrieved 2014-06-13.
- ↑ "Milestone 1955-2004". Cumberland County Public Library. 2004. Retrieved 2014-06-13.
- 1 2 3 4 Weiss, Anthony (2014-06-10). "As state shifts rightward, North Carolina Jews raise their voices". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved 2014-06-13.
- 1 2 3 Evans, Eli (1996-08-07). "Closing the Circle in Atlanta". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved 2014-06-13.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Basnov, Jessica (2001-02-02). "FSU celebrates black history". Fayetteville Observer. Retrieved 2014-06-13.
- ↑ Thrasher, Alice (1990-05-27). "All Those In Favor Say "Aye"". Fayetteville Observer. Retrieved 2014-06-13.