Evelyn Wall

Belinda Evans, 46, financial secretary and treasurer at Local 26,

has been employed at the union for the past 23 years and has always been a strong advocate for fairness in the work place.

She is also concerned for senior citizens.

During the years that she has been employed there, she has served as the union secretary, financial secretary, treasurer and Coordinator for Retiree Affairs.

They are constantly receiving things in the mail that they don’t understand. When anyone calls with questions, Evans tries to explain things to union members over the phone or when they come to her in person if they don’t have a complete understanding of issues pertaining to the union or their benefits. When they do come, she sits them down and explains things to them until they completely understand and are satisfied.

She is always trying to find ways to get more members involved in the life of the union and many of them have started coming to their meetings now that the new elevator service has been installed to take members to the second floor. She also views the elevator as an asset when it comes to hall rentals of which she is also in charge.

Evans is a member of Pleasant Union Baptist Church where the Rev. Dr. Vaurice Chambers is pastor. She is also a member of its Players Guild and the Adult Choir.

Her favorite motto is: &uot;If I can help somebody as I pass along, then my living shall not be in vain.&uot;

Name: Belinda B. Evans

Age: 46

Hometown: Suffolk

Family: Husband, Donald K. Evans; daughter, Albony Evans, 17; and mother, Bessie Bond.

Education: I am a 1974 graduate of the former John F. Kennedy High School and I also attended Norfolk State University and majored in business.

Career/Occupation: For 29 years I have worked in the business field. I started working with my mother, as her release girl on her job at Jet Gas Service for 10 years. This was my first experience in running an office as a dispatcher, receptionist and bookkeeper. For the past 23 years I have been employed at Local 26 Union and served as the union secretary, recording secretary and as the financial secretary-treasurer and also as coordinator for our retirees.

Favorite thing about life in Suffolk: The location, small town and people.

Why did you pursue your chosen career? Because I like working with people, traveling and opportunities concerning business.

Favorite thing about your job: Coordinating events and traveling.

Least favorite thing about your job: Doing the arrangements, the letter of acknowledgement, green plants, reading of the papers, Bibles and etc. to our deceased member’s family. Knowing the words to comfort them is not always easy.

What accomplishment are you proudest of? Being blessed with the skills and ability to help serve and manage the functions of the Local Union from the past to the 21st century and into the millennium as far as administration, equipment and communications are concerned. Also having the opportunity in participating in negotiations for better wages, health care and pension benefits. To be able to establish a service to help our retired members as well as other people and small businesses to save and to become more successful in paying their bills without paying a lot for less.

Who or what motivates and inspires you: First the words through messengers and songs. My mother when I was down, my husband when I needed to be comforted and seeing the retirees enjoying the fruit of their labor with the activities and events that I’m able to help coordinate for them.

Favorite way to spend your free time: Attending church, in meditation and watching television.

What Words of Wisdom Would You Like to Share With Others: Proverbs 22.1 &uot;A good name is to

be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.&uot;

What ingredients are in the recipe for a good life? This recipe is found in the following books of the Bible: Matthew 6:33, John 3:16 and Psalm 27 and 121.

We all have our &uot;15 minutes of fame&uot; in this life. How would you spend your time in the spotlight:

Its not all about me, because of God’s grace, that I would have received that moment. So I would try to use it as a blessing for someone else as well.