SCLC/ W.O.M.E.N., INC.

Evelyn Gibson Lowery

SCLC / W.O.M.E.N., INC. FOUNDER / CHAIR

The daughter of The Rev. and Mrs. Harry Gibson, activists in their surrounding community in Memphis, Tennessee, Evelyn knew that she was destined to champion the rights of others.

While her father served as President of the local NAACP, young Evelyn's eyes were exposed to the injustices society, and before the age of eighteen, she committed herself to working towards making those conditions better.

In 1979, seeing a special need for women and families, Mrs. Lowery invited a small group of women to become The SCLC/W.O.M.E.N., INC.
In 1980, she founded the Drum Major for Justice Awards Dinner.
In 1987, she founded The Evelyn G. Lowery Civil Rights Heritage Tour, a 2-day motor coach tour through out Alabama and has erected 13 monuments of Icons of the movement: Viola Luizzo, Jimmie Lee Jackson, Albert Turner, Sr., Rev. James Orange, Civil Rights Freedom Wall Of Perry County, Rev. Hosea Williams, Congressman John Lewis, Mr. Earl T. Shinhoster, Rev. James Reeb, Civil Rights Freedom Wall of Selma and Dallas County, Alabama, Mother Marie Foster, Amelia Boynton Robinson and Mrs. Rosa Louise Parks on the campus of Alabama State University.
In 1988, she founded the Women's Empowerment Training Center for GED/computer training.
In 1995, she created the Bridging-The-Gap ~ Girls to Women mentoring program.
Mrs. Lowery also led the purchase and renovation of the historic Tabor Building on Auburn Avenue, in 1995, which houses the offices and programs of SCLC/W.O.M.E.N., INC. Many organizations across the country have recognized her contributions to the lives of women, children and the movement.