South Carolina’s Matilda Evans is a sweeping tribute to the life and legacy of Dr. Matilda Arabella Evans, the first African American woman licensed to practice medicine in South Carolina. What inspired you to tell Dr. Evan’s story?

I found inspiration to share Dr. Evans’ story upon realizing our ancestral connection through my maternal lineage. It turns out that Dr. Evans’ grandfather, Harry Corley, was the half-brother of my ancestor, Lavinia Corley Thompson. Additionally, I learned that Dr. Evans’ mother, Harriet Corley Evans, played a pivotal role as one of the founders of my maternal family church, Smyrna Missionary Baptist Church, located near Springfield, South Carolina. These familial ties, combined with Dr. Evans’ remarkable achievement as South Carolina’s first African American woman licensed to practice medicine, ignited my curiosity to delve deeper into her life. Most notably, the absence of an official record of Dr. Evans’ story motivated me to conduct further research and study her extraordinary journey.

Did you find anything in your research of this book that surprised you?

Dr. Evans impressed me with her well-rounded and innovative approach to medicine. She utilized animal bones in surgical procedures, developed a mineral spring water product called Villanova for patients with kidney issues, and established a free clinic to serve underserved communities during the Great Depression in 1930. Her clinic garnered support from prominent African American figures, including Dr. George Washington Carver and Cab Calloway, who contributed to fundraising efforts. Additionally, Dr. Evans demonstrated her compassion by caring for a child abandoned on her doorstep.

How did you decide what aspects of her life to include or leave out when telling her story, and what are the key takeaways you want readers to remember about Dr. Evans?

We aimed to showcase events and experiences that reflect the diverse life of Dr. Matilda Evans, encompassing her medical career, civic engagement, and entrepreneurial ventures. Our research drew from both primary and secondary sources, including Dr. Evans’ own insights found in her book, Martha Schofield, Pioneer Negro Educator. This biography highlights the significant contributions of her mentor, Martha Schofield, an influential African American educator who profoundly impacted the post-Civil War South. Through the extraordinary life and legacy of Dr. Matilda Evans, we hope to inspire readers to explore and appreciate the vital contributions of African Americans in South Carolina and across the nation.

What is the next book that you are writing, and when will that be published?

We are considering plans for a future sequel to the book and exploring additional projects focused on preserving and promoting the legacy of Dr. Evans.

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