Northern Arizona University

City Council Woman, CORAL EVANS  

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In This Edition: Women's History Month

Pioneers from NAU Past & Present:

Coral Evans

"Today is the dawning of a new generation." This statement regains its cliche status every few years yet, it still remains an all too fitting slogan of our country's perpetual progress. No cause has seen greater progress in recent times than that of universal human equality. The balance of power is beginning to change and the role models of tomorrow are beginning to have faces that look more like the people they represent. Whether it is gender, race, or any other imposed social barrier, true equality begins by changing minds one at a time at the grass roots level. It requires the courage, determination, and aptitude of one individual to set foot in uncharted territory. It requires a pioneer.

The trail blazed by Coral Evans is not very long. This is not because she has failed to accomplish great things; to the contrary. It is simply because she has just begun. Succeeding in her first bid to be elected to Flagstaff City Council in 2008, Coral also became the first African American female to hold the position. With experience in social services Ms. Evans spent time learning to help fulfill the needs of people while working for WL Gore and Goodwill Industries. As a young single mother, getting by can be difficult enough but with her 'can do' attitude she managed to push herself to the next level of success. While working at Gore she took advantage of the opportunity to get her education paid for receiving her B.S. in Business Management. 

Getting her education had always been a goal. Growing up everyone in her family continually emphasized the importance of a good education. She said that despite only completing the fourth grade, her grandfather was very influential in helping to nurture the seeds of life long learning by always asking about what Coral was studying in school. She would take this foundation and go on to earn her MBA of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and a Graduate Certificate from NAU in Public Management. With the proper credentials she was able to put herself into a position that would help her continue the learning process in figuring out how to break down the barriers of employment for others.

Taking on leadership roles, not only professionally but, within the community as well, Coral became the Executive Director for the Sunnyside Neighborhood Association, Inc. and the Southside Community Association, Inc. As a third generation Flagstaff native, Coral is experienced well beyond her years. Nearly 80 years ago her grandparents lived in a house built with their bare hands. After living in several long standing communities in Flagstaff, today she has the honor of living in that same house built by her grandfather in the Southside community. Coral is proud of the history that goes along with that house and her community. "Everyone will teach you something, no matter who they are. It's important to listen to all people," were the words that she said when asked why preserving communities was so important to her.

Coral was driven to politics by a purpose, not design; in order to gain a voice for the Southside community. The proposed elimination or reduction of the Murdoch Center, the former Dunbar School, down to a plaque (or less) would have been devastating to the vastly unwritten history of the city. She continued to state, "The City of Flagstaff needs know its whole history, not just bits and pieces. Each person, in each community, has something to add to that puzzle. Who we are today, is about who we have been and that's why saving the Murdoch Community Center has been so important to me... I found out that if I ran for office I wouldn't just get the standard three minutes for a community member to persuade the city. I would have a powerful voice that could help change hearts and minds about the importance of our past to our community."

With lots of hard work, dedication and positive reinforcement Coral has come a long way in a short time to help the efforts of equally representing women and minorities in Flagstaff. No and can't are two phrases she refuses to accept from other people. She is becoming a role model for future generations. Despite her own personal pioneering milestone she sites women like Liz Archuleta, Deb Harris, Carol Curtis, Miss Gladys, Annie Watkins, and most importantly her mother as sources of inspiration. From these women she learned that there is always a way. She emphasized learning valuable lessons each day from her peers and predecessors but never idolizing them. When asked about who her hero(es) were, she quoted her mother, "If you want to have any heroes, don't have any other than God." Yet, she wonders where she gets her pioneering spirit. 

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Also Check Out This Month's 

Featured Women's History Month Calendar

Monthly Academic Tips

I DROPPED A CLASS, I NEED CREDITS!!!

Advisors hear this at least a handful of times each semester. The answers, and savior, to many students time and time again are not just in PES courses but also in 5, 8, & 10 week courses. This year it is Parks & Recreation Management to the rescue! If you are one of those students looking to add credits after the drop deadline, look no further. The following is a list of courses just for you. Whew...that was easy.

Spring Cleaning, the Feung Shui Way

The Bagua is an octagon compass that shows the areas in a room where certain chi (energy) are focused. These energies can affect your life and by simply rearranging things in these areas in accordance with a few rules you can revitalize your room just in time for mid-terms and finals.

The Bagua works as a map with the bottom section being the door where you enter your room. Imagining your floor plan over the map will help you identify which objects in your room are helping or hindering those areas i.e. too much clutter in your creativity area. The following are nine quick remedies to help center your chi.

1. Light-Refracting Objects: Mirors attract good chi and deflect bad chi. Hanging glass crystals 9" apart also does this. Lighting stimulates chi upward. Dark rooms are more calming for energy. 

2. Sound: Wind chimes and bells redirect and moderate chi. They slow chi down.
3. Living Things: Plants, flowers, and aquariums have nourishing chi. Plants exude their life force and make energy relaxing
4. Bamboo Flutes: Direct chi up and create a peaceful mood.
5. Moving Objects: Water fountains and mobiles create lifiting chi and re-energize bad chi.
6. Heavy Objects: Rocks and statues stabalize the energy of an area and should be used in relationship and career areas.
7. Electrical Objects: Computers and televisions increase the energy of a room. Having them in the wealth area can be beneficial. 
8. Colors: Using the colors associated with the Bagua can encourage those energies to balance and flow. Mixing in red colors to the white area for example would add the energies of fame and reputation with the existing creativity.
9. Transcendental Remedies: Focusing on particular area that are priorities to you can be enhanced with meditation, rituals, and symbols. You may even consider consulting a Feung Shui practitioner.

Featured Organization

Associated Students for Women's Issues (ASWI)