Uncrowned Community Builders

Constance B. Eve, one of ten children, was born on July 14, 1932, in Havoco, W. Virginia to Robert Bowles and Georgia W. Bowles. She married Arthur O. Eve, Deputy Speaker, New York State Assembly in June of 1956 and is the mother of one daughter and four sons: Leecia Roberta Eve, Attorney, Arthur O. Eve, Jr.; Eric Vincent Eve, Martin King Eve, and Malcolm X. Eve.

Constance graduated from high school at the age of 15 and won a scholarship for Oratory which led to her B.A. in English and Drama, from West Virginia State College at the age of 19. Constance is a graduate of West Virginia State College, English and Drama '52, and a holder of the Diamond Study Key Little Theater under Fannin S. Belcher, Jr. She holds a Master of Arts Degree, from New York University, and advanced work in Speech Education. She is a Professor Emeritus in English.

A dedicated academician, Constance's professional experiences include: Assistant Librarian at New York University, Research Division; Assistant Professor of English and Drama and Director of Little Theater, Bennett College for Women, Greensboro, North Carolina; Instructor, English, Buffalo Public Schools, and Professor of English, Erie Community College.

Constance has numerous religious, professional, political, civic, and service associations, among which are: St. Philip's Episcopal Church where she served as Chairperson of Stewardship and a member of the Vestry; member, Episcopal Diocese Horns of Plenty Concert; Member, Board of Directors of the Martin House Restoration Corporation, Buffalo Chapter The Links, Incorporated, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and the Buffalo Council of Churches.

In 1980 she founded Women for Human Rights and Dignity, Inc., which grew to eight programmatic components. She served as its chairperson. Her concern for the humanity and dignity of all persons led the founding members to join in a concerted effort to help women, utilizing personal and community resources to improve their lives. In 1991, property acquisitions essential to the operation of expanded programs to meet rapidly escalating needs in training, education, family counseling, and housing, led to the formation of the WHRD Development Corporation which ultimately operated five buildings, 11 homes for women, including Dignity Circle.

Dignity Circle was a transitional support program for homeless women and children; "Movin' On," a structured program for homeless women that provided educational, vocational, and counseling; and the Women's Residential Resource Center which provided a structured environment to women sent there directly from the courts, and, as an alternative to incarceration. In 1998, two additional components were scheduled to be completed: Dignity Village, a replica of Dignity Circle, which provides housing and support services for children and single mothers; and the Expanded Intergenerational Family Preservation Program, which focuses on intergenerational family therapy, community outreach, early childhood services, and day care.

With the help of the banking community, WHRD again expanded its services to women through the purchase and renovation of 6 Housing Units. For her dedication and contributions to the community at large, Mrs. Eve has received countless awards, honors, and citations, among which are: the Gamma Psi Omega, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Martin Luther King Award, Outstanding Citizen of New York State Award from the Board of Trustees, State University of New York, Albany, New York; Professor Emeritus, English, Erie Community College and Citizen of the Year, Buffalo Evening News, 1997 YWCA of Western New York Leader Award, 1997 Westchester Black Women's Caucus-Outstanding Women in Ministry Award, the 1998 Mary B Talbert Civic Award, The Western New York Women's Hall of Fame Award, and, the 1998 National United Way Alexis de Tocqueville Society Award.

Mrs. Eve is featured in the 1998 Fall Issue of Jet Magazine and the December 1998 Issue of Essence Magazine. Mr. & Mrs. Arthur O. Eve, Sr. have both been nominated for the 1999 National Conference for Community and Justice Citation Award.