Grace Wilson Evans

Edan talks about family in this week’s episode and we’re so glad she does because her great-grandmother is someone we all should know about. Grace Wilson Evans was a strong voice for Black people and women in Terra Haute, Indiana. She stood up to the KKK and love libraries. She’s an amazing gal! 

Show Notes & Extras

• This month’s gal pals are Katie Harris, Bonnie Fillenwarth, Edan and Dr. Leah Leach
• Bonnie already talked about Queen Nanny of the Maroons
• Calendar Fun Trudy Krisher Book Singing
• Get to know you question what is the biggest lesson you have learned from a Black Woman?
• Maya Angelou “People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel” 
• Persistence like Elizabeth Jennings 
• Sister Rosetta Tharpe – “Black women don’t get the proper credit for a lot of what they have created.” Leah
• “It’s better to be respected than to be liked” Edan’s grandmother. 
• Edan’s 1 Cool Black History Gal is her great-grandmother Grace Wilson Evans 
• Dec 5, 1892 in Indiana
• Hampton University
• Grace had siblings and half siblings
• Marriages and kids
• National Association of Colored Women
• Moto “Lifting as we climb” 
• In 1916 almost 100,000 members in NACW
• Events & fundraising
• 1997 historical marker on Capitol Ave in Indianapolis location of the HQ of the Indiana Federation of NACW
• Mary McLeod Bethune  
• Walter Francis White
• Terre Haute work and groups
• Speeches & lobbying
• KKK 
• NAACP Grace was a chair on committee NAACP
• Anti-lyncing law
• White House
• Accolades & press
• “Start to dream. Start to build something. Start to create something and believe in your own convictions.” Grace Wilson Evans
• Juicy stuff – 1918 in a Terre Haute theater 
• Grace with a shotgun and the KKK
• Phyllis Wheatly Home (More Info)
• Indiana State University 
• Grace was a strong voice in Terre Haute
• Dr. Reynolds research on Grace (Tibune Star Article)
• Ran for mayor
• Grace died at the age of 64, June 1952
• Civil Rights act of 1965
• “Would have been happy that women got the right to vote because she was such a brave woman” Crystle Reynolds
• Power of genealogy
• Interracial marriage 
• Indigenous Peoples in Grace and Edan’s family

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About The Gal’s Guide Podcast

What if you could only share 1 cool thing about a topic? Would it be about ancient history? Would it be breaking news? Would it be safe for work? A group of gals gathers to present to you one cool thing on topics like painting, gaming, movies, music and more.