The Honorable Esther Haywood of St. Louis was remembered as a fierce civil rights and social justice advocate, bold community leader political pioneer and trusted leader during her memorial service on Monday November 25, at Prince of Peace Church at 9350 Natural Bridge Road.
A persistent champion of education, she was also a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, according to her daughter, Esther Haywood spent her entire career fighting for the disadvantaged, the underserved and the downtrodden,” said her daughter Dr. Angela Haywood-Gaskin.
“Whether it was her time as one of a handful of African American teachers helping to integrate the Shelby County Public Schools System, or her time remaining dedicated to her students in E. St. Louis school District 189 for 27 years, or her time on the Normandy School Board.
“[She spent] nearly a decade in the Missouri General Assembly as a member of the House of Representatives fighting for working families, and appropriating additional funding for public education and lowering costs for seniors; and most notably her leadership to the St. Louis County NAACP for nearly 25 years.
Haywood-Gaskin noted that her mother “was proud” to have been endorsed several times by the St. Louis American during her time in the State House.
“She will be missed, but our community has been immensely enriched because she lived,” said her daughter.
Haywood “was all that and much more,” according to family members before she passed from this life on Saturday, November 16, 2024. She was 84.
For more than 60 years, the trailblazing Haywood dedicated her life to advocacy, education and public service, leaving a long-lasting impact on countless lives in Missouri and beyond.
Haywood was at the forefront of the St. Louis County NAACP as President for nearly 25 years, guiding the branch to unprecedented success. Haywood was committed to equity in both education and public office — she was one of the first five African American teachers to integrate Shelby County, Tennessee’s Public School District in the 1960s.
She was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives in 2000 and served four terms until 2008 and championed legislation supporting working families, public education, financial literacy and voting rights.
Haywood stood firmly against anti-labor initiatives like the “right to work” legislation. She sponsored several significant bills, including the designation of February 4 as Rosa Parks Day in Missouri and legislation criminalizing cross and church burnings.
As a co-sponsor of the Senior Tax Justice Act, she helped exempt seniors’ social security and pensions from state income tax.
Beyond her legislative accomplishments, Haywood served as vice chairman of the House Committee on Higher Education and contributed to numerous committees, including Insurance, Education Appropriations, Public Pensions and more.
An educator for more than three decades in East St. Louis Public School District 189, Haywood also devoted 18 years to the Normandy School District Board of Education, where she fought to uphold accreditation and maintain high standards for teachers and administrators.
Haywood’s influence extended to community organizations as well. She was a charter member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and an active participant in St. Louis Links, Forest Park Forever and Murchison Tabernacle CME Church.
A graduate of Lincoln University and Barrett’s Chapel High School in Tennessee, Haywood completed graduate studies at Mississippi State University and St. Louis University.
Her many efforts earned her widespread recognition, including awards from Lincoln University, University of Missouri-St. Louis, AFT of District 189, the NAACP and many others. Among these honors, she was especially proud of being named President Emerita of the St. Louis County NAACP.
Haywood, who was married to her husband, Edward J. Haywood, of over 55 years, lived in St. Louis County. She had two daughters, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Haywood’s dedication to justice, education and service will forever inspire those who continue her work.
I misss you sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much gramonh