Evelyn Harris
“ I found out that the very thing that I had been holding on to for years, was the thing that I needed to release in order to experience true freedom. ”
💜EVELYN HARRIS
🧡LOCATION: CROWN POINT, INDIANA
💛PHOTO BY: JAY HARRIS
🖤BLACK ”TEARS” ITEM: TOP/LEGGINGS
💙SKIRT BY @INDIE_TRUE_
💚FOLLOW @TEARSANDTULLE
🎤IN EVELYN’S WORDS...
I AM NOT MY HAIR!
In 2009, I did the BIG chop (or mini chop since we’re talking about my hair)! Ever since I can remember, it was always a challenge for me to take care of my own hair. Over the course of twenty-six years, I’ve gone from wearing tight pink spongey rollers to a Carefree curl, many permanent hair dyes and straighteners, hair weaves (glued and sewn in), extensions, and finally wearing wigs. The abuse left my hair badly damaged. However, it got to the point that having hair didn’t really matter because I had planned on wearing wigs for the rest of my life, until the day it flew off while driving with the windows rolled down one hot summer day (thank God for quick reflexes)!
It was then that I wanted to try something different. Since my hair was so badly damaged, I often toyed with the idea of cutting it all off and starting fresh, but I was afraid of the unexpected. What if it doesn’t grow back? What if my head had a funny shape? What if people start to stare at me? I did not want to stick out, and therefore didn’t want to draw attention to myself; I just wanted to fit in. After pondering the thought, I finally ran it by my husband, who said, “What’s the worst that can happen? If you don’t like the way it looks, wear your wig until it grows back.” After getting up the nerve, I decided to go for it! Holding my breath, I grabbed the clippers and cut off every thin, uneven strand until I was bald, and that’s the day I fell in love with “me”!
I was correct; my hair was badly damaged all over, but the unexpected happened. I discovered that the person staring back at me was absolutely beautiful, and it had nothing to do with my hair. I found out that the very thing that I had been holding on to for years was the thing that I needed to release in order to experience true freedom. Unbeknownst to me, I was in bondage-not because I wore wigs, but because I thought I couldn’t live without them. Cutting all my hair off freed me in so many ways! My husband said he also noticed a boost in my self-confidence and fell in love with me all over again because of it.
It’s been eleven years and counting since I’ve been free from trying to fit in and “be” ordinary. I’m not ordinary; I’m extraordinary! I do not fit in; instead, I was created to stand out! Today I celebrate my freedom knowing that my beauty does not come from my hair; it comes from within. The black represents the dark days of my past when I relied on external things to define me. I wear the magical skirt as a head piece, to reflect the way I feel about me, with or without hair, and also remembering the day my choice set me free!
About Evelyn...
Passionate about serving others, Evelyn loves being a part of non-profit organizations where she is able to pour into the lives of everyday people. In her continued quest to make a difference, it is important for Evelyn to work as a team player with those who have the same vision: changing lives one day at a time, to build a better community. Working with non-profit organizations appeal to Evelyn because it allows her to assist in meeting needs with a hands-on approach.
Evelyn's fun-loving, energetic spirit motivates and inspires everyone she comes in contact with. She loves discovering hidden talent in others and encouraging them to live their best life!
The non-profit journey has aided in Evelyn being the person she is today. It has kept her rooted and grounded in the cause to invest in people, to move them towards self-sufficiency and reach their full potential.
Because Evelyn specializes in celebrating others, her mission in life is to touch as many hearts as she can because she is a firm believer that everyone matters, everyone makes a difference, everyone has a role to play and everyone should be celebrated.
Evelyn is currently the United Way of Porter County Retired and Senior Volunteer Program Director. It's no surprise she was lovingly given the nickname "The Costume Lady." She is also the co-owner of Ev and Jay Entertainment, a talented, energetic husband and wife team who uses music, props, and costumes to spread joy, hope, laughter, and happiness. Evelyn lives in Northwest Indiana with her husband and is the mother of two amazing kids and grandmother to two beautiful grandbabies!