DCH Honors Mrs. Eva Jones for Women's History Month
March marks Women's History Month, and around Dallas and the world, we honor women through telling stories of incredible women in our communities. It is important for DCH to acknowledge and honor women who have made indelible marks on our community. This year, we would like to honor Mrs. Eva Jones, who goes by Mrs. Eva, a community leader and icon whose dedication to the Queen City Neighborhood in Dallas is an inspiration. Kristen Williams, DCH Community Engagement Manager, had the opportunity to sit down with Mrs. Eva and learn her story. We are excited to share a bit about Mrs. Eva and hope that her story inspires you.
Mrs. Jones's Motivations and Beginnings
Mrs. Eva Jones is not a native of Dallas, in fact, her roots are in Virginia, where she was born into a prominent family of professionals with deep roots and values in education, teaching, and nursing. Mrs. Eva is a minister's daughter whose early life between the city and country, instilled a love of the outdoors as well as the bustling city life. Her early interests were in arts and fashion, and as a member of the drama club, she has a flair for the dramatic. With summers spent in New York, she was exposed to the glitz of Broadway and excitement of the fashion district, which you can definitely tell she has personal style, and personality that have been a signature of her work in Dallas, and her values in her formative years were rooted in community and service.
Making Moves in Dallas
Mrs. Eva’s family had an opportunity in Dallas, which was a city that held a lot of promise with friends encouraging them, so Mrs. Eva moved south. Her style and charisma translated seamlessly in Dallas and she worked in the radio industry, at KKDA-FM (K104.5), and as a model, but her civic ambitions transcended the airwaves. She became deeply involved in grassroots activism joining the NAACP and volunteering in various political campaigns like the 831 Campaign and John Wiley Price's bid for constable, which marked pivotal moments in Dallas' history. Now, this period of time is widely recognized as pivotal for breaking barriers for the African American population and paving the way for greater representation. When she discusses her triumphs and influence, she humbly says, “I don’t know if there’s anything that I’ve wanted to do that God has not allowed me the opportunity to be able to do… it’s a blessing”
Since she is not one for bragging, here are some of her larger political accomplishments. She was campaign chair for Eddie Bernice Johnson, invited to the inauguration of President Bill Clinton, and she works tirelessly to help those who are underrepresented. Mrs. Eva continues to be galvanized by grassroots movements and uses her influence to build bridges between neighborhoods in Dallas. As the President of the Queen City Neighborhood Association, she is resolved to work to and to “give back and to allow the next generation to stand on her shoulders to be able to reach for the stars.”
A Legacy of Empowerment:
Mrs. Eva has a vision for Dallas that is one of unity and inclusivity, where economic divides dissolve, and cultural diversity thrives. Through her efforts in Queen City, Mrs Eva hopes to inspire the next generations to embrace history and use it to propel Dallas forward as a destination for entrepreneurs looking to make a mark on the world, as she has.
Mrs. Eva Jones credits her husband Norris, son Von, daughter in “love”, Rebecca, four granddaughters, and faithful pet Sasha for her infectious great attitude and drives to make Dallas a better place.