30 Years 30 Heroes: Evelyn Fairbanks

Author, educator, and administrator, Evelyn Fairbanks, knew how to connect with others and had a way of making people feel like they had known her forever. She was a gifted storyteller, and like CEL, was committed to the betterment of business, family and the community.

Evelyn lived along Rondo Avenue-the heart of St. Paul’s largest black community-from the 1930s through the 1950s. Her memoir, The Days of Rondo, tells warm and human stories recalling those years in a vibrant community that vanished with the coming of the freeways in the 1960s. Due to her strong impact, the Great American History Theatre in St. Paul performed “The Days of Rondo,” a play based off her memoir.

It is people like Evelyn, who teach and share life lessons that stay with people forever. Thank you, Evelyn, for telling your stories and for the impact you have made.

The Days of Rondo
Fairbanks – Minnesota Historical Society Press – 1990

Published on: September 18, 2018