ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, January 21, 1997 TAG: 9701210075
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
EVELYN BETHEL was selected by the students to receive an award in King's honor for her work to preserve the Gainsboro neighborhood.
Seldom is Evelyn Bethel surprised.
After years of fighting to preserve the Gainsboro neighborhood, the Roanoke activist has learned to be ready for almost anything.
But she was caught unprepared Monday.
When Bethel went to Community School's program to celebrate Martin Luther King's birthday, Bethel looked forward to the students' presentation on the slain civil rights leader's life and spirit.
She never expected to be compared to King or receive an award in his honor.
Even when Laura Sorensen, a middle school student, cited several Roanokers who have embodied King's ideals, Bethel didn't suspect that she would be named.
"I had no idea they were going to give me an award," she said. "I've been here before for the students' program on Dr. King's birthday, and I thought that's what it was going to be."
The private school decided to honor Bethel because the students believe she has exhibited King's ideals and spirit in her advocacy for Gainsboro and other community issues in recent years.
"Like Martin Luther King, she never gives up," Sorensen said. "She is well-known to City Council because she has worked on behalf of her neighborhood."
Middle school students at Community got to know Bethel when they were doing a project on Gainsboro and learned of her efforts to preserve the neighborhood and prevent the Gainsboro library from being closed.
She also led the fight to get Gainsboro designated a historic district and to make changes in the Wells Avenue realignment project.
The students were impressed with Bethel's determination and her work on community issues, said Jinny Wooddall-Gainey, a middle school teacher. "They learned about civic involvement and how citizens can effect change in a community."
A Roanoke native, Bethel worked for the Social Security Administration in Washington, D.C. She returned to Roanoke after retiring in 1990 to live in Gainsboro, where she was born.
For the past seven years, she has been a frequent critic of city proposals for road improvements, demolition, development and other issues affecting Gainsboro and Henry Street.
Bethel said King helped inspire her to fight for what she believes in.
"Dr. King was a person who tried to bring out the best in people," she said. "Once he set a goal, he didn't give up."
King put morality ahead of politics and power, she said.
"He inspired people to do the right thing - not the most expedient thing, not the political thing and not the thing to gain power.''
The students gave Bethel a standing ovation when she was given the award, which was a framed ashanti symbol with a white dove for unity and harmony.
For the King celebration, eight middle school students gave dramatic readings and interpretations from his letters, sermons and speeches. It included African music with drums and other instruments.
Bethel joined the students on stage in a musical tribute to King that ended the program.
She said the award will help inspire her to continue her efforts on behalf of Gainsboro and other issues. "I just hope I can keep doing the right thing."
LENGTH: Medium: 71 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: JANEL RHODA STAFF. Community School surprised Roanokeby CNBactivist Evelyn Bethel with an award recognizing her service Monday.
color.