Evelyn Ryan

Evelyn Ryan (February 15, 1913 – August 29, 1998) was an Ohio poet and jingle and slogan writer. A 2005 movie, The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio, was made about her life.

Early life and education Evelyn Lehman Ryan was born in Sherwood, Ohio in 1913, to Orren and Minnie Lehman; Minnie died soon after giving birth, and Orren sent Ryan and her older sister to live with relatives. She often made multiple submissions under slightly different names. Ryan also sold poetry and other writing to newspapers, magazines, and radio shows.

Corporations changed to sweepstakes promotions, and Ryan went to work for J.C. Penney as a sales clerk, working there until she retired in 1983.

Book and movie Her daughter, Terry Ryan, wrote a 2001 book, The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: How My Mother Raised 10 Kids on 25 Words or Less, which was made into a 2005 movie, The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio.

Personal life Ryan married Leo "Kelly" Ryan, a machinist, in 1936. She was widowed in 1983. She died at her home in San Francisco on August 29, 1998.