Bowling Green’s Evelyn Bachman has been recognized for her work as a champion for women.
Bachman been named as one of two nominees from this region of the country for the highest award given by the General Federation of Women’s Clubs.
The Jennie Award is the national General Federation of Women’s Clubs’ highest award presented to an individual member in recognition of exemplary and extraordinary commitment to family, community and beyond.
Bachman is the immediate past president of the Bowling Green GFWC. During her term as president, the club was at a critical time having just sold its clubhouse.
“She transitioned the club into one that is more active and more engaged in the community,” GFWC current president Melanie Stretchbery wrote in her endorsement of Bachman.
“During her tenure as president, our club gained 27 new members, and although we have a membership chair, it was largely through Evie’s leadership, encouragement and seeking out members of the community that this growth took place,” Stretchbery said.
Bachman hosted special events to welcome new members and assigned a member of the club to be a “mentor” to each new member.
According to Stretchbery, Bachman has spent her career engaging in her community by volunteering her personal time, professional expertise and financial assistance to countless organizations.
“In her volunteer service she is always actively looking for ways to help improve the lives of those who use or work in the organizations.”
Her community efforts have been recognized by awards from the local AAUW chapter, Wood County Human Services, Wood County Bar Association, the Business and Professional Women, the Chamber of Commerce 2002 Outstanding Female Citizen of the Year, and the Athena Award in 2014.
“There is an old saying that, ‘The way to get things done is not to mind who gets the credit for doing them.’ This is Evie’s way of operating,” Stretchbery said. “She quietly does pro bono work, she secretly pays the club dues for severely ill members, she encourages others to participate, and spreads praise widely.”
Bachman has the ability to see leadership potential in others.
“From the time that she was a student in a nearly all-male law school, she has been an impressive champion of women,” Stretchbery said. “In our Women’s Club, she has encouraged many of our members to accept new leadership roles, and they have blossomed as a result. She is herself an inspiring leader who motivates through her belief in people, her enthusiasm, and her extraordinary attention to feelings of others.”
Bachman’s commitment to career and volunteering does not mean she neglected her family, Stretchbery said. She and her husband, Jim, raised two children who now have successful careers and families. The Bachmans travel together to each other’s professional conventions. Evie Bachman and her father-in-law were partners in a law practice until his retirement.
Bachman’s extended family includes many in the community who are most in need, even to the extent of serving as a court-appointed guardian for individuals with developmental disabilities.
“Many people belong to organizations and many people volunteer. However, the thing that sets her apart is that she doesn’t join just to enhance her resume,” Stretchbery said. “Evelyn Bachman works constantly for the betterment of her community and inspires others to do the same.”
