Marjorie Evans: 1929 Reflector Editor and A Lot More- My Mom

My mother, Marjorie Evans graduated from Galesburg High School in 1929. 

She was described in the Reflector this way, “Marge is to be highly complimented on her work. She is a senior this year and when she leaves us, GHS will lose a valuable student.”

My mother was the only child of Herbert and Margaret Evans. My Grandpa Bert’s father died when Bert was 12 years old. A decision was made that he would quit school and become a hired man with on another farm. At the age of 12, he loaded all his belongs in the trunk pictured here and left home. 

My Grandma (Margaret) graduated from Oneida HS in 1903. She was a stay at home mom, but was Sunday School Supt. At East Main Congregational Church.

Grandpa Bert’s primary job was working on the Galesburg street car system. A perk of the job was that he would pick up a block of ice at Lake Storey and could have his wife and daughter run out from their East Main St. house and get the block for their refrigerator. 

Their income was not great. They never owned their own home, never owned a car, and never had a pet. But they made sure their daughter had as many opportunities as possible- piano lessons and speech lessons. 

Herbert and Margaret Evans were determined to give Marjorie opportunities. 

And Galesburg HS was an outstanding school that prepared her for success. 

By the time Marjorie entered Galesburg HS, she was confident and had high goals. Her senior year, the Reflector (which she edited) showed her many achievements. 

She was active in many clubs and organization while at Galesburg HS. In 1929, GHS had over 1,000 students. 

1929 Reflector

Marjorie Evans was the editor of the Reflector.

Elizabeth Literary Society- There were multiple “literary societies.” These were a form of a high school sorority. The “Lizzies” had speakers, presented plays, hosted school dances, held a “tea” for their mothers, performed community service, and held parties for members. 

The Lizzies

Honor Society

Speech Contests- One of her passions later as a teacher was her speech units with her students. 

Debate Team- No wonder Mark and I could never win an argument with her. 

IM’s Basketball Champs- She must have known she was going to marry a basketball coach. 

Marjorie graduated from Galesburg HS in 1929. She had to sit out one year of college with an illness before graduating from Knox College in 1934. She then received a Masters Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1943. 

Today, Galesburg School District #205, Carl Sandburg College, and Knox College have a “Gale Scholars” program. It is a program for Galesburg students whose parents did not attend college. It allows the selected Galesburg students to attend Knox College tuition free. My mother, Marjorie Evans was a Gale Scholar before there were Gale Scholars. Her parents wanted her to have an opportunity they never had. 

It is estimated in 1929 when she graduated from GHS only 30% of all females in the U.S. graduated from high school. In 1934 when she graduated from Knox College it is estimated only 3% of females in the U.S. graduated from college. And in 1943 when she earned her Masters Degree, it is estimated fewer than 1% of females in the U.S. earned a Masters Degree. 

She taught English and Speech in Fulton, Lyons JH (Clinton,Ia), East Rockford HS, and finally at Savanna JH. 

She was born Marjorie Estella Evans. On her 21st birthday, she went to the Knox County Courthouse and changed her name to Marjorie Ellen Evans. She was always a determined woman who got things done. 

I am biased but I think my mom was a very impressive woman. In an era when not many women had the opportunity to be leaders- her parents, Galesburg HS, and Knox College gave her the opportunity to believe she could become a leader. 

 Her drive and strength of conviction were an inspiration.