Remember this Name: Elease Evans.

Well, the name may not be too familiar to those beyond the George Washington Bridge, but over here in Northern New Jersey, Evans' name resounds loudly in the political arena from which she participates.

In fact, just the other day, she was sworn in for a second time as a freeholder in Passaic County by none other than Congressman Donald Payne from Essex County at the federal building in the city of Paterson, NJ.

Evans, on that same night, was re-elected by her colleagues to serve as freeholder director for a second term.

To paraphrase "brother" Michael Jackson..."She's bad." Evans' life has been no crystal stair. A mother at the age of 15, she struggled with society's scorn and personal agony.

Be that as it may, she kept movin' on up and it has paid off. She, in my judgment, is the kind of person Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. may have had in mind when the great human rights warrior advised America to judge folks by the content of their character not the color of their skin.

Truth be told, we have not yet arrived in that arena in these United States but that makes Elease's climb up the political ladder even more amazing.

She is a Democrat who has support on both sides of the political aisle, especially in the bedroom community of Wayne.

I'm really writing about her today because I believe she can become the "silk city's" first Black female mayor.

Of course I'm referring to the city of Paterson. She can handle it. As many of our readers know, politics has been such an Old boys' network for so long, I think it's time women got on the bandwagon to say, "We can get the job done!"

During the civil rights era, there were a number of complaints from "sistas" involved that both they and their efforts were marginalized in the struggle.

That was then, this is now; "sistas" are making it happen. Granted, this is not Women's History Month. It doesn't have to be.

The clarion call still has to be made for those who have been the mortar in the past to undergird churches, maintain organizations with their finances and finally run for various and sundry offices - and win!

It's a new day. Thank God for Dr. King. Thank God that those who appreciate the sacrifice he made are willing to step up to the plate and take care of business for the souls of Black folks, if you will.

Elease Evans. Remember that name.