Monroe Evans

Monroe Evans
Mayor of Fayetteville, North Carolina
In office
1965–1969
Preceded byWilber Clark
Succeeded byCharles B.C. Holt
Personal details
SpouseMildred (nee Dlugin) Evans
ProfessionDemocratic

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 descendants 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, 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

  1. ^ "Inside Politics: Cumberland delegation works together". Fayetteville Observer. December 2013. Retrieved 2014-06-13.
  2. ^ "Milestone 1955-2004". Cumberland County Public Library. 2004. Retrieved 2014-06-13.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ a b c Evans, Eli (1996-08-07). "Closing the Circle in Atlanta". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved 2014-06-13.
  5. ^ a b c Basnov, Jessica (2001-02-02). "FSU celebrates black history". Fayetteville Observer. Retrieved 2014-06-13.
  6. ^ Thrasher, Alice (1990-05-27). "All Those In Favor Say "Aye"". Fayetteville Observer. Retrieved 2014-06-13.