Evelyn Carter arrived in the United States as an undocumented child at the age of seven. Today, she and her husband, Alex, reside in a repurposed car dealership, where their open-concept living space allows their kids, Lily, Max, and Noah, to zoom around on their bikes. Her initiative, The Community Closet, provides essential items to those in need with dignity and respect. On her Instagram, she shares her involvement in cleaning up historically significant cemeteries. Her stunning outfits are sourced from thrift stores, and her game day shirt cheerfully declares, “I JUST HOPE BOTH TEAMS HAVE A GOOD TIME.” Evelyn is the supportive friend every mom wishes for.
Evelyn Carter is also the spouse of Pennsylvania’s Lieutenant Governor and Senate hopeful, Alex Carter — who humorously refers to her as the SLOP (Second Lady of PA). Their unique home isn’t in Harrisburg, but in the small, post-industrial town of Braddock, which Alex revitalized through determination and community engagement. Evelyn exudes such warmth that it’s easy to overlook her tenacity; while she was born in Brazil, her experiences in Braddock have undoubtedly fortified her spirit.
A Journey from Undocumented Immigrant to Advocate
“My mother was adventurous,” Evelyn reflects. “She arrived with two children, no English, no job, and no connections, but she was seeking hope and opportunities.” She shares that her mother grew weary of the violence in Brazil, determined not to let it become a norm for her children. One evening, during dinner, Evelyn’s aunt mentioned her own experience of being robbed multiple times that year. This prompted Evelyn’s mother to act; she returned home with a suitcase and instructed Evelyn to “pack your favorite things, we’re going on a trip.” At that time, Evelyn was seven, and the thought of leaving was overwhelming.
Upon arriving in New York and settling in Queens, Evelyn’s mother, despite holding a doctorate, took on jobs cleaning hotels and homes while learning English using a Walkman. Evelyn enrolled in ESL classes, realizing, “You can always start anew. Never feel trapped. My mom, in Brazil, was a hospital administrator. Suddenly, she was cleaning houses. You just keep moving forward.” She obtained her green card in 2004 and became a U.S. citizen in 2009.
A Fateful Meeting
By 2007, Evelyn had established roots in Newark, holding a job and even owning a home. However, during a yoga retreat in Costa Rica, she stumbled upon a story about a young mayor trying to breathe life back into an abandoned town. “I couldn’t fathom the idea of abandonment, how someone could leave behind their home and personal belongings,” she explains. “Over 90% of the community had vanished overnight.”
Returning from Costa Rica, she couldn’t shake her thoughts about Braddock. Having always admired the Brooklyn Bridge during her time in New York, she discovered that its steel was sourced from Braddock’s mills. “That felt like a sign,” she states. “In Brazilian culture, we believe in signs.” She penned a letter to the borough, detailing her nonprofit work in food access, expressing her desire to visit and learn more. Alex responded, and within a year, they were married.
Evelyn felt an immediate connection to the community. As she walked into the car dealership turned home, she declared, “I knew it was meant to be. It represented a challenge to society’s view of value—this space was abandoned, just like my community. It was about redefining what has value.” She posed the question, “Who decides that this building or person has no value? Just like how people label certain plants as weeds; I see beauty in them.”
Passionate Advocacy
Evelyn refers to The Community Closet as “my baby nonprofit.” “There’s a stark contrast between excess and scarcity in our community,” she explains. “Living in New York, my furniture was often from the curb. I was shocked by the waste I saw. As a child, I asked my mother why restaurants discarded food while people went hungry.”
Driven by this disparity, The Community Closet was born, providing a dignified shopping experience for families in need. “Many organizations require proof of need, which can be dehumanizing. The Community Closet offers choice and respect.” She recalls, “I would reach out to businesses, persistently reminding them about the importance of donating.” Now, major partners like Whole Foods, Costco, and Trader Joe’s contribute quality food, feeding hundreds of families.
How does this impact her children? Evelyn chuckles, recounting that she went into labor with Noah at The Community Closet, so at least one of them was almost born there. “I hope they grow up to be kind and happy,” she says. “They understand that we only donate items in good condition.”
Connecting with Diverse Perspectives
Evelyn emphasizes the importance of relating to everyone, even those with differing views. “I have to listen,” she notes. “I engage in conversations with individuals who may struggle with the idea of immigrants in our community. I believe in redemption and second chances.” She acknowledges receiving more hate mail than Alex, often being misidentified as her children’s nanny or Alex’s housekeeper.
She shares an anecdote about a woman at a pool who complimented her children’s bilingualism but then commented on the difficulty of finding help. “Thank you, I hope they keep me around,” Evelyn responded, knowing the woman would soon realize her kids were hers when they began calling her “Mom!” The woman quickly apologized, and both walked away with dignity.
Evelyn describes her home births, facilitated by the same midwife and doula, as a personal choice rather than an act of bravery, especially given the alarming maternal outcomes for women of color. “I wanted my mother with me, but I was concerned about how I would be treated,” she admits.
“Breastfeeding is challenging,” she continues. “Every path has its difficulties. It’s essential that we support one another, not judge.”
If anyone can embody that spirit, it’s Evelyn.
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Summary
Evelyn Carter, the Second Lady of Pennsylvania, embodies resilience and warmth. From her journey as an undocumented immigrant to her advocacy work with The Community Closet, she champions dignity and respect for all. Evelyn’s ability to connect across diverse perspectives serves as a testament to her belief in community, kindness, and redefining value in both people and spaces.
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