Hester V. King
Throughout her life Mrs. King struggled to end the racial discrimination and social inequalities that plagued American society. Relentlessly, she sought to improve the conditions of her race.
In the midst of the Great Depression, she and her husband left their native Virginia and settled in the small black community of Vansville, near Beltsville in northern Prince George’s County. Mrs. King confronted the racial bigotry of rural Prince George’s County with courage, integrity and unwavering commitment. The Annual Banquet is named in honor of Hester V. King who was instrumental in the founding of the Prince George’s County Branch of the NAACP in 1935 and served as its president for 27 years until her untimely death.
As chapter president Mrs. King lead the struggle for equality in public accommodations in the county. Her tireless leadership in the cause of equal rights resulted in the desegregation of the courthouse in Upper Marlboro, as well as an end to segregated restrooms and drinking fountains. Her dedication and efforts eventually lead to the establishment of the Prince George’s County Human Relations Commission. In 1985, as the Prince George’s chapter of the NAACP celebrated its 50th anniversary, it commemorated her achievements in leadership with the Establishment of the Hester V. King Humanitarian Award.
Mrs. King led without compromise, fear or intimidation. She taught those who worked with her to refuse to be treated less than first class and not to relent, until justice and full citizenship were obtained. A woman of abundant energy, Mrs. King applied the same qualities of diligence and commitment to her family, church and community. In 1946, she and her husband joined with other civic-minded Vansville citizens to organize the Progressive Club, with the purpose of “promoting the general welfare of the community by encouraging good citizenship, stimulating interest in community issues and training youth in solving community problems.” The organization evolved into the Vansville Heights Citizens Association, which has continued to be a strong and viable voice for progress within the Beltsville community. Mrs. King also presented the “Wings over Jordan” choir in concert at Byrd Stadium in College Park in 1940. This was the first time blacks had assembled in this stadium and the first time an outstanding black group had been presented in the state of Maryland.
Mrs. King was an active member of Queen’s Chapel Methodist Church, she served as treasurer for twenty-seven years, taught Sunday school and was a member of the senior choir. Her community interests were many and varied. She was a member of the Prince George’s County Council of PTAs, the Church Women United in Prince George’s County and the Christian Welfare Workers of Prince George’s County. She was also a member of the Unitarian Fellowship for Social Justice and the National Federal of Women’s Clubs in Maryland.
Mrs. King was a devoted wife to Eugene King Sr., and a loving mother to Ethel King Lyons, Morton King Jones, Katherine King Ivey, Juanita Kings Brooks, Eugene L., James W. and Arthur A. King. The Prince George’s County, Maryland Branch of the NAACP continues to salute the woman who gave birth to this branch, Mrs. Hester V. King. PThink GREEN! Please consider before printing.