Eva Overton Lewis

Eva Overton Lewis was born in Wanamaker, Oklahoma on September 12, 1893 to Anthony Overton Jr. and Clara Gregg Overton. Eva had three siblings: a brother, Everett Overton Hill, and two sisters, Mabel Helena Overton Fowler and Frances Madison Overton Hill. Eva graduated high school in Kansas City, Kansas and was a member of the Lawrence Business College of Kansas.

As a young woman, Eva became actively involved in Chicago after moving there with her family. In 1913, Eva participated in a women’s voting rights convention held at Grace Presbyterian Church at 3409 South Dearborn Street. The following year, she and her sister, Frances Overton, participated in a Chicago Defender contest: “Who Is the Most Popular Girl in Chicago?”

Eva attended the University of Chicago. She earned her Associate of Arts degree in 1915 and her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1916.

Eva also worked for her father’s businesses as a secretary, stenographer, and journalist.

Three studio portraits of Eva Overton [Lewis], circa 1900-1905. In the first one, Eva has an updo and is facing away, looking over her left shoulder. She is posing similarly in the middle photo with the same updo. In the third, she is facing forward, and her hair is in one long braid. She appears to be holding flowers.
Eva Overton [Lewis], circa 1900-1905

Lewis, Eva Overton and Julian Herman Lewis, MD, PhD Collection, [Box 8, Folder 29], Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library
Two studio portraits of Eva wearing a collared shirt and a tied neck scarf.
Eva Overton [Lewis], circa 1906-1911

Lewis, Eva Overton and Julian Herman Lewis, MD, PhD Collection, [Box 8, Folder 37], Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library
Eva's high school diploma that reads, "This Certifies that the Public High School of Kansas City, Kansas hereby confers the honors of graduation upon Eva Overton."
Eva's High School Diploma, 1911

Lewis, Eva Overton and Julian Herman Lewis, MD, PhD Collection, [Box 27, Folder 1], Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library
Eva's Lawrence Business College certificate of membership from 1907. The writing in blue states, "Lawrence Business College Certificate, Lawrence, Kansas." The membership was $25 for twelve weeks.
Eva's Lawrence Business College Membership, 1907

Lewis, Eva Overton and Julian Herman Lewis, MD, PhD Collection, [Box 2, Folder 40], Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library