Elease Evans facts for kids

Elease Evans, born on June 6, 1943, is an American politician from the Democratic Party. She served in the New Jersey General Assembly, which is a part of New Jersey's state government. She represented the 35th legislative district from November 2007 until January 2012. Ms. Evans took over a seat that became open when former Assemblyman Alfred E. Steele left on September 10, 2007. She officially started her work in the Assembly on November 9, 2007.

Serving the Community

Before joining the Assembly, Elease Evans was a member of the Passaic County Board of Chosen Freeholders. She started this role in 2002. Her fellow Freeholders chose her to be the Freeholder Director starting in 2004. On January 2, 2007, she was chosen again to serve a fourth term as Freeholder Director.

As Freeholder Director, Ms. Evans led public meetings and was in charge of appointing board members to different committees. She earned an extra $1,000 on top of her regular $28,500 yearly salary as a Freeholder.

Holding Two Roles

For a time, Ms. Evans held two important positions at once: a seat in the New Jersey General Assembly and her role as a Freeholder. This was allowed because of a special rule. A state law passed in September 2007 generally stopped people from holding two such positions. However, it allowed those who already held both roles by February 1, 2008, to keep them. Ms. Evans did not run for re-election for her Freeholder seat in 2007.

Her Life and Career

Elease Evans served on several important committees in the Assembly. These included the Labor Committee, where she was Vice-Chair. She also worked on the Human Services Committee and the Law and Public Safety Committee.

Education and Early Career

Ms. Evans graduated from Passaic County Vocational and Technical High School, which is now known as the Passaic County Technical Institute. She later attended William Paterson College, now called William Paterson University. There, she studied Sociology and was recognized for her achievements by being inducted into the Sociology Honor Society. She also received a special certification in Life Skills / Career Counseling from Columbia University.

Before her political career, Ms. Evans worked for 33 years at the Passaic County Board of Social Services. She started as a clerk/typist and worked her way up to Senior Training Technician. During her time there, she also served for 24 years as the Vice President of the Professional Workers Association. She retired from this job in 2002, after she was elected to the Passaic County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

Community Involvement

Elease Evans has always been very active in her community. She currently serves on the Boards of the YMCA in Clifton and Passaic, and Eva’s Shelter in Paterson. She is also a Commissioner for the Paterson Parking Authority.

In the past, she was the President of the Paterson branch of the NAACP. She also chaired the Board of Directors for the Greater Paterson OIC and was a member of the Mayor’s Task Force on Crime and Drugs. Since 1979, she has been an active member of the Calvary Baptist Church in Paterson. She has served her church in many ways, including as a Sunday school teacher, an usher, and a member of their Civil Rights Commission and Board of Christian Education.

Family Life

Elease Evans and her husband, Billie, have lived in the Eastside area of Paterson for a long time. She is a mother to two sons, Don and Patrick, and a daughter, Karen. She is also a grandmother to nine grandchildren.

Ms. Evans decided not to run for re-election to the Assembly in 2011. Her service to the legislature ended on January 9, 2012.