Esther M. Lee is a South Side Bethlehem native, one of five children born to the late Jesse G and Beolar Brandon Grimes. She is married to William L. Lee, Sr. (deceased), mother of two adult children William L., Jr, (Lisa). Jessica L., two grandsons, Adam N,, and Andrew J., both Moravian College graduates.
Esther was educated in traditional public schools and graduated from Liberty High School in 1951; Secretarial Correspondence Course, Computer classes, political classes.
Religious Affiliation: Baptist, baptized in November 1944 by Rev. Whalen S. Jones. Member of the BYPU, Sunday School Teacher, directed youth choir, ushered, senior choir member, missionary member, church financial secretary, church clerk, church treasurer.
At large: Regional President Women’s Ministry, Central Baptist Association, State President Women’s Ministry, Pennsylvania Baptist State Convention, President Church Women United Bethlehem and Treasurer Church Women United in Pennsylvania.
Elected office: “My community experience has been invaluable and began when our children entered public school. My leadership in the Madison Parent Teacher grew as we fought for equity for all our children (black and white), I became a member of the Madison School PTA, the City PTA group, then became the president. It was this membership of parents that encouraged me to seek a seat on the Bethlehem Area School Board.”
Esther was the first female, Negro/African American elected to public office in the Lehigh Valley; elected as a school director to the Bethlehem Area School Board serving six (6) years, 1971-1977. In addition a member of and Vice President to the Bethlehem Area Vocational Technical Board of Directors.
“Employment history varied due to hiring practices for Negroes/African Americans prior to the passage of the Civil Rights Act in 1964.” Her employment began as a clerk at Modern Cleaners and Dyers, operator at Bell Telephone Company, Willard Battery, Confidential Secretary, Exide Battery Company, clerk at Bethlehem Mines Corporation (a Subsidiary Company of Bethlehem Steel, Administrative Assistant, Serono Baker Diagnostics, Administrative Assistant, MCI (911 Center), completing her career at the Bethlehem Council of Churches as the Administrative Assistant.
Locally: Esther served on many boards and committees and was introduced to various leaders from the Bethlehem Community. Following this my service began on the Board of Directors of Bethlehem Area Council of Churches, the Red Cross Board, The Boy Scouts of America, The Girls Club of Bethlehem, The Daughter Elks Lehigh Temple 930, IBPOE of the World, WLVT39, City of Bethlehem Redevelopment, Northampton County Drug and Alcohol Committee, Northampton County Board of Appeals, Lehigh Valley Economic Development, Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies Committee (CEDS) representing Northampton County.
First female appointed by a local bank to the Board of Governors of Bethlehem Foundation (now Lehigh Valley Foundation, and the WLVT39 Project Director and host for the Black Exposure Show, Tri State Board of Directors, “Research for Better Schools”, Philadelphia and the Bethlehem Area School District Strategic Planning Committee.
Political: Esther sought a seat on Bethlehem City Council, a seat for the State of Pennsylvania House of Representatives (both unsuccessful); served as the Democratic Committeewoman Ward 1 North, Chairwoman for the Bethlehem Republican City Committee, Route 222 Anti Drug/Gang Task Force, Chairwoman, Northampton County Human Relations Advisory Council to the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, President Bethlehem NAACP, 3rd Vice President for the Pennsylvania NAACP State Conference and the PA NAACP Executive Board Bethlehem hosted the Pennsylvania NAACP Regional Conference; NAACP ACT-SO program (student program)
Esther continues to serve as President of the NAACP Bethlehem; (the eyes and ears of the LV), partnering with the Bethlehem YWCA, Bethlehem Area School District, Bethlehem Area School District Superintendent’s Diversity Committee, Northampton County Diversity Committee, Organizer, African American Parent Group, Liberty and Freedom High Schools and NAACP Youth Councils Freedom and Liberty High Schools.
As president of the NAACP Bethlehem, we strive to make the community aware of the ongoing and increased injustice to African Americans, particularly the males. The tragedies of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Sandra Bland, Tamir Rice, Walter Scott, Freddie Gray, George Floyd murders and many others, brought much attention to police and law enforcement throughout the country. The Bethlehem NAACP held public community candlelight and prayer vigils in sympathy with mothers, fathers and families whose lives were broken due to these vicious attacks. The Bethlehem Community Advisory Board (CAB) was organized as a result to stay ahead of issues that affect the community.
We continually address the numbers of African American youth who are incarcerated, and the gun control issue. In addition, because of issues of race, the actions of law enforcement, community forums were held with community leaders to address the “trust” issue.
Education continues to be our civil rights issue locally. The Bethlehem NAACP along with Dr. Joseph Roy, Superintendent Bethlehem Area School District, instituted “Excellence through Equity” diversity committee to address the weaknesses in the system for children of color and the disadvantaged. We continue in the “struggle” to make life more accessible for each of us.