Former First Mother of MV Celebrates 100 Years

MOUNT VERNON, NY -- On Saturday, April 30th, family, friends, and neighbors of Evelyn N. Young gathered at Mount Vernon High School to celebrate her centennial birthday in a Covid-19-safe drive-by and card drop.

Evelyn was born in Charleston, South Carolina on May 2, 1922 where she was raised as an only child. After graduating from Allen University, an HBCU in Columbia, SC where she pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, she married Dr. Clinton I. Young, Sr. at Mother Emmanuel AME Church, her home church. She later earned an M.A. degree from Columbia University.

When the family moved to Mount Vernon in 1965, Evelyn became a member of the Vernon Heights Congregational Church where she has been active for many years. Prior to moving to Mount Vernon, the family lived in Montgomery, AL, where Evelyn taught at the “Lab” School on the campus of Alabama State University where Dr. Young was a professor.

Evelyn and Dr. Young were the parents of four children: Anne Young Berkeley (deceased), a beloved Mount Vernon school teacher of forty years, Clinton I. Young, Jr. former mayor of the City of Mount Vernon, Carol Nwanagu, the mother of Evelyn’s two grandchildren, Ernest Amadi, and Devin (deceased) and Mary Graves, community activist, married to Eric Graves.

The Young family moved to Mount Vernon in 1965 when Dr. Young was appointed the first Black principal in Mount Vernon at Cecil B. Parker Elementary School. Evelyn taught at Graham Elementary School, where she was recognized for her kindness, sense of humor, as well as her expertise in helping beginning teachers. She instilled a love of teaching and a mutual respect among staff, students, and parents.

Among her many hobbies, she enjoyed traveling worldwide, gardening, cooking, quilting, and playing Bridge. She was an enthusiastic Jeopardy fan. Also, Evelyn loved to entertain her friends and treated them to delicious meals. She is loved and admired by all who know her.

Joining in the celebration will be her friend of more than 50 years Gladys Wood and her children Lauren, Cynthia, and Donald.

With heartfelt affection, we wish her every blessing on this her 100th birthday.