UK Alumna and WAC Veteran Celebrates Turning 100 in a Big Way
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 19, 2020) — Helen Evans holds many titles — University of Kentucky alumna, teacher, captain in the Women’s Army Corps — but now she has earned a new title of the oldest member of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at UK. Last week Evans celebrated her 100th birthday.
When asked how it felt to be 100, Evans said, “It doesn’t feel any different. I feel the same as I did the day before. I just feel fortunate to have very good health.” She says her secret to a long life is good genes and good food.
OLLI — which offers educational and enrichment courses, forums, shared interest groups, trips, events and more for adults 50 years and older — threw a surprise celebration for their oldest member. Evans has been involved in OLLI at UK for 15 years.
“I am so appreciative, overwhelmed and honored that OLLI organized this for me,” Evans said. “I can’t imagine the time it took to plan.”
The day was complete with a proclamation from Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton, prerecorded birthday wishes from Gov. Andy Beshear, a serenade from UK Opera Theatre’s Everett McCorvey via Zoom, a parade of over 50 cars, and the presentation of more than 100 birthday cards including a handwritten note from President Eli Capilouto.
“Alumni like Helen truly represent the great individuals that start a lifelong tradition at UK,” Capilouto said. “We at the university were honored to be part of her 100th birthday celebration and recognize her great accomplishments — both at UK and in her personal life.”
Evans’ son, Carson Evans, said it was a great feeling seeing his mom celebrated by so many friends and family. "I truly believe the reason for her success is she is open to new ideas and is excited to learn new things. She enjoys meeting new people and hearing their stories.”
Evans was born in Lexington on June 11, 1920. She is a graduate of University High and the University of Kentucky College of Home Economics (now the School of Human Environmental Sciences within the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment). While at UK she served as president of the Association of Women Students and of Kappa Delta Sorority.
Upon graduation she taught at Versailles (Kentucky) High School for one year before joining the Women’s Army Corp in 1942. She was assigned to the Office of the Quartermaster General, attained the rank of captain, and served stateside and in Europe until the end of World War II where she was involved in the dietary plans for the troops, helping the Army save millions of dollars in waste.
After the war, Evans worked in the U.S. Veterans Administration. She has served as president of the Lexington Woman’s Club and of the Woman’s Club of Central Kentucky. During her term as state president, she initiated the Kentucky First Ladies in Miniature collection, which has been on display for 50 years in the Capitol rotunda in Frankfort.
Following the death of her husband in 1971, Evans joined Kentucky Educational Television and assisted in the formation of the Friends of KET organization. She also worked with the Commonwealth of Kentucky serving as the director of the Lieutenant Governor’s Mansion and as administrator of the Vest-Lindsey House in Frankfort.
Evans represented Kentucky in the creation of the Women in Military Service Memorial located at the entrance to Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C., and is a member of both the Kentucky Veterans Hall of Fame and the U.S. Army Quartermaster Hall of Fame. She has been active with the Daughters of the American Revolution at the local, state and national levels.
When asked what Evans hopes for the future she said, “I’m hoping that with everything going digital, we help all the families enjoy online learning. We are still out of balance on availability for all students. We need equal opportunities for all of the young people.”
For more information about OLLI and its members visit www.uky.edu/olli/.
To learn more about Helen Evans, visit https://kentuckyoralhistory.org/ark:/16417/xt7rv11vhn2x to listen to her interview with the UK Libraries' Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History.
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