(1915 - )
Park Rapids

A political and community activist, Esther lived in Park Rapids for over 60 years. Moving from New York to marry, she rapidly became involved in the community.

She has experienced numerous "firsts:" She co-founded the first League of Women voters unit in Park Rapids; she was the first woman president of the Parent Teachers Association; she was the first woman chair of the local school board; she was the first woman from Hubbard County elected to the Minnesota State Legislature (and the third woman ever); and she was the first Jewish woman in the state to serve in this capacity.

As a mentor, Esther was supportive and inspirational. Senator Becky Lourey has declared on several occasions that Esther was her role model. She is said to be a visionary; her politics always focused on the least powerful people, she could see things coming, which is an attribute to her appetite for the news and books on current affairs. Politics gave her much satisfaction when she could see triumphs, like more women being elected to office.

In the 1990's she served on a tri-county board which examined ways to help seniors in the region's communities. She was an integral part of the process to have senior housing erected in Park Rapids, which led to the development of the first assisted living facility.

After having served as head of various committees and as president of several organizations, Esther said that one of her proudest moments was when a Spanish language immersion program was set up in Park Rapids for primary school students because of her efforts while serving on the school board.