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 | 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] Evans 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 Evans'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, Evans helped to lead Fayetteville's desegregation during the Civil Rights Movement.[3][5] He worked with various city community and civic leaders to work on the transition. In 2001, Monroe told the Fayetteville Observer, "It was a rough time... 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]
Evans 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.
- ^ a b c d Weiss, Anthony (2014-06-10). "As state shifts rightward, North Carolina Jews raise their voices". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved 2014-06-13.
- ^ a b c Evans, Eli (1996-08-07). "Closing the Circle in Atlanta". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved 2014-06-13.
- ^ a b c 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.