In Loving Memory Jo Ann Evansgardner 4/19/1925 - 2/16/2010

     Born in Latrobe, PA on April 19,1925, died at Forbes Hospice on February 16, 2010. An ardent feminist, civil rights defender and environmentalist, she was among the founders of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW),the Association of Women in Psychology and the National Women’s Political Caucus. Dr. Evansgardner received her PhD in psychology in 1964 from the University of Pittsburgh. She and her husband, Dr. Gerald Gardner,a mathematician and geophysicist, were both college professors. They were partners in life and activism for 59 years. With her husband and other members of Pittsburgh NOW, Dr. Evansgardner co-founded KNOW,a feminist press in Pittsburgh,with the slogan, "Freedom of the press belongs to those who own the press." Together, they were instrumental in the suit filed byPittsburgh NOW against the Pittsburgh Press about sex-segregated want ads, which they won in the U.S. Supreme Court, changing newspaper practices nation-wide. She and her husband also helped organizeThe Hazelwood Initiative, which successfully stopped a proposed coke plant. Dr. Evansgardner had many special talents -- organizing protest marches, unsparingly confronting those whom she felt abused their power, and quietly assisting less fortunate persons with a place to stay or a loan that might never be repaid. She maybe best remembered for her prodding and loving mentoring of young activists, including family members, many of whom she assisted in filing discrimination complaints, becoming professionals in non-traditional fields, and running for and gaining election to political offices. In addition to her husband, who died July 25, 2009, Dr. Evansgardner was predeceased by her father, Eugene Everly Evans, her mother, Elizabeth Atkinson Evans, her brother, Eugene Van Buren Evans, her sister, Eleanor Fleischauer, her sister, Barbara Evans Crawford, all of Pittsburgh, and her nephew, Mark Fleischauer, of Indianapolis, IN. She is survived by seven nieces and nephews, Max Fleischauer,Los Angeles, CA., Delegate Barbara Evans Fleischauer, Morgantown, WV, Nancy Fleischauer, Martinez , CA.,Deborah Evans Crawford, Clinton,PA., Victoria A. Evans-Crawford, Ashville, NC., KathyEvans-Palmisano, North Hills, PA.,and Gail Evans-Potter, ForestHills, PA her sister-in-law, BettyEvans of Forest Hills, PA, her sister-in-law, Jean Fleischauer and numerous grand-nephews and grand-nieces. Many community and activist friends visited and cared for JoAnn and Gerry during their final illnesses and the family is particularly grateful for the devotion shown by four special friends: Phyllis Wetherby, Dr. Alison Budd, Jim McCue and Sam Strati. Memorial services for Dr.Gardner and Dr. Evansgardner are planned for a later date. Donations may be made to Pennsylvania NOW, Hazlewood Initiative or Feminist Majority.