Those who know Mary Evans know that not only is she dedicated to her community, but she also has a heart of gold to match it.
A year before her retirement from the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library, Evans used her vacation time every Thursday to volunteer with the Cedar Rapids Community Health Clinic. In the evenings, she taught English at the Catherine McAuley Center until the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
“I wanted opportunities in place so that I wouldn’t feel lost in retirement,” Evans said.
Following a flood in 2008 that destroyed the African American Museum’s collection, Mary and her husband, Jim, donated their African pottery collection to the museum.
“At this time I learned their education specialist was dealing with cancer,” Evans said. “I volunteered and did her evening presentations around Eastern Iowa.”
Evans grew up in the Mount Vernon area and returned in 1982. Between her time in Mount Vernon, Evans lived in Pennsylvania and Illinois, and worked for UNESCO in Liberia. Evans and her family have spent time volunteering abroad.
“In February 2015 my husband and I took our two sons on our first Habitat for Humanity build to Nicaragua,” Evans said. “Since then I have helped with several builds in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City.”
Evans credits her deep connection to the community to her parents, who she says influenced her desire to do volunteer work.
“I guess you can say I’m following in my parents’ footsteps,” Evans said. “They were very involved in all aspects of life in Mount Vernon: Chapel View Manor, the Food Pantry, SELLC and the school foundation.”
Besides keeping busy with volunteer work, Evans is also a member of the Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission.
“I joined the Mount Vernon Historic Preservation Commission in 2015 upon Dick Thomas’ request,” Evans said. “He asked me to take his place as the unofficial town historian and keeper of the legends of the people.”
Evans then embarked on a two-year project organizing the city’s archive. She started in the basement of City Hall, before eventually moving all of the archived documents into a dedicated room on the main floor of the building.
Evans has also been involved with the Lincoln Highway Nitty Gritty, Magical Night, and served on the board of directors of the Community Development Group. Evans is stepping down from these organizations to give her full attention to the Mount Vernon Cemetery Commission, which is newly created.
When asked what inspires her to be so involved with the community, Evans said it is the people.
“I enjoy seeing the smiles on everyone’s face as they participate in Mount Vernon’s wonderful festivals,” Evans said. “I’m very thankful for the opportunities extended by living in a small town.”