Esther L. Bush: A League of Her Own

Recently, the Affiliate Newswire (ANW) team had the opportunity to speak with legendary Urban Leaguer, Esther L. Bush (EB) as she reflects on her extraordinary career.

“I think working for the Urban League, literally, is one of the best jobs in America for an African American leader.” – Esther Bush

ANW: I guess I’ll start with something you led off with a few moments ago about the Urban League being one of the best jobs that you can have as an African American leader – why do you feel that way?

EB: I feel that way because as I am being recognized across the city for my accomplishments which I humbly acknowledge, I thought about my acceptance remarks. I was honestly trying to think what I can share that is not screaming in my bio. And what I came up with is growing up, I honestly hated restrictions. I did not like the fact that my parents told me that girls didn’t climb trees. But I know how to climb a tree, why can’t I do it? I can do it better than my brother.

I didn’t like restrictions on women. My father had a trucking company and he drove an 18-wheeler before he started the company. I thought it was awesome how he took that 18-wheeler and backed it up and only had inches on each side; I wanted to do that. My father said women don’t drive 18-wheelers and I said why not?

As I was growing up as of child of the 60’s, I really started to look at what I wanted to be when I grow up. I started learning about racism and how there are sometimes restrictions that dictate that you can’t always be what you want to be, even if you are prepared to be it. Finding the National Urban League honestly, truthfully gave me a spot where I could be myself and advocate for others. I did not like the restrictions that were put on women and black folks. The Urban League Movement was that answer for the restrictions that I thought were unfair to Americans.

ANW: You were an educator prior to the Urban League, can you talk a little bit about your journey and what led you to want to pursue education?

EB: It’s interesting because you will see that every profession, I was in honestly connected and prepared me for the Urban League Movement. My mother, my older sister and my aunt were all teachers. Teaching was considered the nice, respectable profession for women. I went away to college and decided I’ll be a teacher; I was very comfortable with that. I was also a seamstress; fashion design was of interest to me also.

My student-teacher, Dr. Evelyn Valentine approached me and said ‘Esther, you’re going to work for me at Lake Clifton High School’. I said Dr. Valentine, I’m not sure if I’m going to stay in Baltimore or go back home to Pittsburgh. She literally filled out the application to teach in Baltimore and told me to sign it. I signed it and the rest is history, I was placed at her school.

As a new teacher, I was giving a brand-new course called “Preparation for the World of Work.” The course was exactly what it said – it was teaching high school students how to prepare for the world of work. I loved it! I made the students prepare projects and do research, etc. Now I’m going to fast forward to when I worked on my masters of guidance and counseling while I was at Lake Clifton because I understood that teachers earned more money if they had more education. Once I earned my master's degree, I left Lake Clifton HS and became a career planning and placement professional at Coppin State College.

Coppin State was one of those schools that first generation college students attended; it was in the community. I started to see a need and so I wrote a three-credit college course for freshman. Everything connects. I was in the career planning and placement center when a National Urban League partner came in to recruit our students and eventually told me about an opening at NUL. I joined NUL as part of the Labor Education Advancement Program (LEAP) and it was responsible for placing women in non-traditional professions. I’m proud to say that I’ve helped placed some of the first women firefighters, police officers and brick layers.

ANW: As a pioneering CEO, can you talk about the challenges and opportunities you’ve encountered during your tenure?

EB: This my 27th year in Pittsburgh and my 41st year with the Urban League Movement. I am the first female CEO here in Pittsburgh, and the longest serving.  I, of course came here from Hartford, CT, where I was the first female CEO there as well. People say, you’re the first female this or that but I say this with no arrogance – my accomplishments was earned because I was prepared.  Be prepared. Do your homework. Be passionate and have a plan. Be ok with the work that you must put in.

The Urban League Movement is not for wimps. The Urban League Movement is a place to develop leaders to be more impactful. I know I can call my colleagues in Philadelphia or in Shenango Valley or in Springfield, Mass. and depending on what it is, I might call Marc Morial.

Being the President of an Urban League gives us the freedom to do anything you want to do in the name of helping black people. Think about it. I am proud to say that in the name of the Urban League, I have sponsored three trips to Africa – including the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh’s 80th anniversary pilgrimage to Ghana. We have published several books including a publication on the health of black Pittsburgh residents.

ANW: As the Movement continues to evolve, what advice do you offer new Urban League leaders looking to make a difference?

EB: Every leader of the National Urban League has brought something special to bear. I believe that we have benefited from the leadership of all Urban League CEOs at the national level. I started at NUL in June 1980 when Vernon Jordan was President, but he was not in the office, because he had been shot.  I knew of his reputation, but it was a pleasure to hear the little tidbits that were being said around the office about our national leader. I knew John Jacob. I knew Hugh Price. Marc Morial is the right leader for our time. I am very pleased that he is the convener for Black National Leadership to get the job done on a national level. I am excited about the new building in Harlem. 

Being an Urban League CEO is a lot because we’re providing direct social services, so we must meet those benchmarks that every funder has told us we need to meet. We’re also an advocate. I think the main thing is to deal with reality and be honest with yourself and with your constituency. I know that this country was built on racism and racism keeps the power in the hands of the people that it’s always been in. We must be diligent and honest about every direction that is coming from. I’ve learned that you must appreciate and not be satisfied with every win. We must appreciate each win because if we were satisfied then the Urban League Movement wouldn’t be here any longer.