RIVERDALE | Zenovia Evans never had a desire to become an elected official. But after involving herself in Riverdale, and reaching out to help others, Evans found herself in a role she never expected.

"I never dreamed of becoming mayor," Evans said. "I never felt like a politician, and I still don't feel like a politician."

After growing up on the West Side of Chicago, Evans moved to Riverdale in 1982 and just a year after the move became involved in city organizations.

Then, in 2001, voters elected Evans to office and she became the first African-American and first female mayor in Riverdale.

"I still marvel at the importance of these firsts," Evans said. "The first African-American was only a matter of time based on demographic changes. Being the first female is a bit more unusual in conjunction with the demographic changes.

"At the time I was so busy trying to get the job, I did not think of being the first anything. In reality, it is awesome to be a double first."

The village -- located west of Dolton and bordered by 138th Street to the north, Halsted Street to the west and Indiana Street to the east -- has undergone surface changes, and Evans leads with the goal to get residents involved in the community.

"We are doing everything we can to help residents get involved," she said. "We are creating events, meetings -- anything we can to get people to know each other."

The village, which had a 2000 census population of 15,055, has had new residents move in, and longtime residents move into senior housing, which makes it hard for the residents to interact, Evans said.

But, the mayor believes that if residents know their neighbors and others in the community, crime can be reduced.

"Once you know your neighbors, then your child is less likely to act up in front of an adult that they know," Evans said. "Creating that involvement helps make it more of a community and helps us control our children and cut down on crime."

Riverdale has been in the news in recent months following three protests at Chuck's Gun Shop led by the Rev. Jesse Jackson and the Rev. Michael Pfleger.

Jackson has said the gun shop's proximity to Chicago provides gang members and criminals with easy access to firearms.

Evans has been critical of the protests, saying one suburban community and one business should not be targeted. But the mayor said violence needs to end.

"A gun is still an inanimate object," said Evans, who lost a son and two nephews to gun violence. "I think we need to address those things and correct the things that cause people to commit a crime."