As a community Mobilizer, friend, mother and African American Woman, Ester Huey has been an inspiration to untold children, adults, and families throughout Yakima County and the State of Washington.  Originally Southern Born, Ester lived through some of the most controversial and enlightening periods of American History, including the Civil rights Act of 1964 that outlawed racial segregation.  Only with the passing of the Affirmative Action was she recruited into a job in banking in Washington State after banks that received FDIC funds were mandated to diversify their staffing.  In 1968, the Civil Rights Act covered women.  “I would never have reached my full potential without Affirmative Action.”  It leveled the playing field for those of us who we were qualified, but racism kept the doors closed for so long.

In 1992 Ester moved back to Yakima to take care of her ailing mother but could not find a job in banking due to gender disparity.  “Back then, most women were tellers.”  Eventually OIC hired her and that is where her story of Community mobilizing started – where Yakima County’s story started. She has served Yakima in non-profit social services for the past 33 years.  She also managed her own private management consultant business on the side.