Longtime Chattanooga Teacher And Community Volunteer Evalyn Young To Turn 90 On Monday

  • Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Evalyn Spann Young
Evalyn Spann Young

Evalyn Spann Young, longtime teacher and community volunteer, will turn 90 on Monday.

Ms. Young, widow of Harold L. Young, Sr. and mother of Harold Jr., D’Wayne and D’Wauna retired in 1981 after 32 years in the Chattanooga City Schools.  The Orangeburg, S.C. native received her early education in Swainsboro, Ga., and Nashville, before graduating from Howard High School (Chattanooga; 1942) at the age of 15.

She graduated from Spelman College (Atlanta; 1946) with a degree in Home Economics at the age of 19 and was among nine Negroes to integrate the University of Chattanooga’s graduate program in 1963 where she earned a master’s degree in Public School Counseling (1966.) Her courageous determination to advance her education during racially turbulent times is chronicled in the film Reaching the Light: The Story of the Desegregation of the University of Chattanooga.

Mrs. Young taught for many years at Joseph E. Smith, Calvin Donaldson and Orchard Knob Elementary Schools. She was a Central Office-based itinerant reading teacher and Psychological Examiner. A guidance counselor assignment at Hardy Junior High resulted in a Director of Guidance position until her retirement.  After retirement, she was a substitute teacher for the E.S.O.L. and Alternative School programs. Even decades after leaving the classroom, Mrs. Young is still recognized and stopped by former students who share how she impacted their education.

Mrs. Young volunteered for more than 30 years with the American Red Cross and through her beloved Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated of which she is a Golden Life member. Mrs. Young is the sole surviving member of the first five Zetas initiated into Gamma Iota Zeta Chapter when it was chartered March 2, 1948. Her active and financial service to her chapter has continued for more than 68 years. She has served on numerous boards and received several recognitions. Soror Young is a member of the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.

Zeta Phi Beta Service/Involvement:

Initiated on Gamma Iota Zeta’s charter date March 2, 1948

Has been an active and financial sorority member for 68 years

Charter member of the Myrtle and Viola Tyler National Legacy Club, 2016;

Golden Life Member since 1999: Life Member since December 1944;

Co-Marshal of 1989 Regional Conference at the Chattanooga Choo Choo

Co-Chairperson of 1986 Blue Revue

Served on many Blue Revue Committees

Served on the Chapter’s 50th Anniversary/Blue Revue 1998 Steering Committee

Founders’ Day

Finer Womanhood

Membership Intake

Numerous fundraisers including but not limited to March of Dimes; Muscular Dystrophy; NAACP; UNCF; American Diabetes Association; American Heart Association.

Registered and attended more than 50 Zeta conferences (state, regional and national) at her own expense

Volunteerism:

Chattanooga-Hamilton County Retired Teachers Association

American Red Cross

American Diabetes Association

Ladies of Charity

Chattanooga Human Services

American Heart Association

Memberships:

Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul & Parish Council

Women’s Guild of Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul

Catholic Charities Board

St. Francis and Notre Dame school boards

First Initiate of Gamma Iota Zeta Chapter/Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated

Golden Life Member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated

Awards:

Black Pioneer Woman of Excellence/Achievements in Education – NCBW 100 Chattanooga Chapter, 2013

Documentary subject - Reaching the Light: The Story of the Desegregation of the University of Chattanooga, 2012

Zeta Dove Award (50+ years of service) – Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, 2008

Legacy Award - Orchard Knob Neighborhood Watch Association, 2007

Chattanooga Community Service Award - Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., 2005

African-American Educators Hall of Fame - Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., 2004

Zeta of the Year - Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., 2003

Feature Profile – “Writing at the Bottom of the Letter” Chattanooga Prime-Times Magazine, 2000

Zeta Hall of Fame/South Central Region – Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., 1998

Outstanding Contributions Appreciation - City of Chattanooga, TN, 1985

Citizen of the Year - Order of the Eastern Star, 1993 

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