Ester Bentley was a life long advocate of women's and lesbian and gay rights. Bentley was born in Louisville, Kentucky on October 24, 1915. She completed her Bachelor's of Science at Catherine Spalding College in 1941. During the war years, Bentley worked as the Director of U.S.O. in programs for war workers and their families. Bentley went on to complete her Master's in Social Work at the National Catholic School of Social Service at Catholic University of America in 1949. Following the completion of her degree, Bentley became the Director of the Kentucky Society for Crippled Children. Bentley moved to California in the 1960s and became the District Director for Community Planning and Development in San Bernardino, California. Bentley also served as the Executive Director of the Girl Scout Council in Santa Ana, California. In the 1960s, Bentley acquired her Real Estate License from the Scadron Business College in San Bernardino, California and continued her work in community organizing as a consultant. From 1966 to 1974, Bentley served as a field consultant and supervised students in the UCLA School of Social Welfare. After retiring, Bentley became very involved in both Catholic ministries and gay and lesbian organizations. Bentley was also a founding member of the Coalition of Older Lesbians (COOL). Ester Bentley died on January 20, 2004, at the age of 88 in Los Angeles, California.
Photographer Angela Brinskele began capturing images of California pride celebrations and protests in 1984, and has not missed a single pride season since. Brinskele, who studied photography at Fullerton College, California State University at Fullerton, and UCLA, strives to capture images of people in the most natural settings possible.
Ester Bentley was a life long advocate of womens and lesbian and gay rights. Bentley was born in Louisville, Kentucky on October 24, 1915. She completed her Bachelor’s of Science at Catherine Spalding College in 1941. During the war years, Bentley worked as the Director of U.S.O. in programs for war workers and their families. Bentley went on to complete her Master’s in Social Work at the National Catholic School of Social Service at Catholic University of America in 1949. Following the completion of her degree, Bentley became the Director of the Kentucky Society for Crippled Children. Bentley moved to California in the 1960s and became the District Director for Community Planning and Development in San Bernardino, California. Bentley also served as the Executive Director of the Girl Scout Council in Santa Ana, California. In the 1960s, Bentley acquired her Real Estate License from the Scadron Business College in San Bernardino, California and continued her work in community organizing as a consultant. From 1966 to 1974, Bentley served as a field consultant and supervised students in the UCLA School of Social Welfare. After retiring, Bentley became very involved in both Catholic ministries and gay and lesbian organizations. Bentley was also a founding member of the Coalition of Older Lesbians (COOL). Ester Bentley died on January 20, 2004, at the age of 88 in Los Angeles, California.
