Background
Gowens, Verneeta Viola was born on March 19, 1913 in South Holland, Illinois, United States. Daughter of William and Mary Cawthorne (Fowler) Gibson.
Gowens, Verneeta Viola was born on March 19, 1913 in South Holland, Illinois, United States. Daughter of William and Mary Cawthorne (Fowler) Gibson.
Educated public schools, Bryant and Stratton Business College Clerk, public relations worker Chicago and Riverdale Lumber Company, Chicago, 1934-1945. Feature writer, women"s editor Tribune Publs., Harvey, Illinois, 1960-1962. Feature writer, women"s editor Star-Tribune, Williams Press, Chicago Heights, Illinois, 1963-1978.
Freelance writer
Script writer variety shows Ship Ahoy, 1963, Fair "n" Square, 1964. Contributor to International Altrusan, 1974, Church Herald, 1977. Sunday school teacher, youth leader 1st Reformed Church, South Holland.
Member editorial county Church Herald, Reformed Church in American, 1976-1982.
President District 150 Parent-Teachers Association,1965-1966. Advising committee program in limited occupation training Thornton High School, 1963-1969.
Member South Holland Industrial Commission, 1965-1968. Board directors Family Svc. and Mental Health Center of South Cook County, Illinois, 1974-1977.
Member South Holland unit Salvation Army, 1958.
Judge International Teen Pageant, 1969. Member South Holland Cmty. Chest, 1978-1987; advisory board Thornton Community College nursing program, 1976-1983.
Member special events and publicity commission South Holland Centennial, 1994.
Active South Holland Diamond Jubilee, 1969, South Holland Cable Commission, 1984, South Holland Centennial Committee,1994.
Clerk, public relations worker Chicago and Riverdale Lumber Company, 1934-1945. Feature writer, women's editor Tribune Publications, Harvey, Illinois, 1960-1962, Star-Tribune, Williams Press, Chicago Heights, 1963-1978. Freelance writer; script writer variety shows Ship Ahoy, 1963, Fair 'n' Square, 1964.
Sunday school teacher, youth leader 1st Reformed Church, South Holland. Member editorial council Church Herald, Reformed Church in American, 1976-1982. President District 150 Parent-Teachers Association, 1965-1966.
Advisory committee program in limited occupation training Thornton High School, 1963-1969. Member South Holland Industrial Commission, 1965-1968. Board directors Family Service and Mental Health Center of South Cook County, Illinois, 1974-1977.
Member South Holland unit Salvation Army, since 1958. Judge International Teen Pageant, 1969. Member South Holland Community Chest, 1978-1987.
Advisory board Thornton Community College nursing program, 1976-1983. Special events and publicity committees South Holland Centennial, 1994. Active South Holland Diamond Jubilee, 1969, South Holland Cable Commission, since 1984, South Holland Centennial Committee, 1994.
Member Illinois Women's Press Association (Woman of Year 1974, award 1978), National Federation Press Women (1st place Sweepstakes award 1976).
Married Albert Gowens, July 17, 1936. Children: Victoria Ann Gowens Utke, Mary Ann Gowens Buer.