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The Two Evelyns

Evelyn Longley Shepard was born in 1899, 87 years before the birth of her namesake, Evelyn Wilson Hollenshead. “Shep”, as she was known to me, was my “second mother”, related not by blood or marriage but by love. She was a woman of remarkable courage and determination, dedicated to her family, her church and her community. In these spheres she was a leader, volunteering with the Red Cross during WWII to bring “war brides” on ships from England to their new homes in Canada; starting a clothing distribution center for low income members of her community; working to give former prisoners a second chance. An excellent cook, I learned to make Christmas cookies and other sweets at her side and learned to love leg of lamb at her table. On Saturday mornings I learned to arrange flowers as she readied the alter for Sunday services. She would hum songs as she worked, teaching me that there could be joy in labor. Though she died nearly twenty years ago, she helped to make me the person I am today and thus remains with me.

Evelyn Wilson Hollenshead, my beautiful daughter, will soon graduate Phi Beta Kappa from Earlham College. A scholar, writer and lover of books, Evelyn also dances and choreographs, telling stories with movement as well as words. Evelyn loves small children and animals and instantly engenders trust in both. Quiet by nature, Evelyn is also courageous and can be fierce when she needs to be, especially in the face of injustice based on gender, race, sexual orientation or gender expression. As Evelyn moves into the larger world, we are proud of her and we know that Evelyn Sheppard would be proud too. I can imagine Shep at Evelyn’s graduation, beaming with joyful tears running down her cheeks.

Submitted by Carol Hollenshead, Director, Center for the Education of Women, The University of Michigan