Finding Aid to the Ester F. Bentley Photographs and Papers, circa 1940-2003
Coll2013-017
Loni Shibuyama
Processing this collection has been funded by a generous grant from the Council on Library and Information Resources.
ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California
909 West Adams Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90007
(213) 821-2771
askone@usc.edu
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California
Title: Ester F. Bentley photographs and papers
creator:
Bentley, Ester F.
Identifier/Call Number: Coll2013-017
Physical Description:
2.5 Linear Feet
1 carton, 1 binder box, 2 flat cartons, 1 banner, and 1 map case drawer.
Date (inclusive): circa 1940-2003
Abstract: Photographs, negatives, correspondence, awards, clippings, audiocassettes, a videocassette, buttons, a banner, and memorabilia,
circa 1940-2003, from lesbian activist, community organizer and social worker, Ester F. Bentley. The collection documents
Bentley's professional career in community organizing in Kentucky and California, often working with disabled children. In
particular, this collection also includes hundreds of photographs of Bentley and her friends and family throughout Bentley's
life.
Biography
Ester Frances Bentley was born on October 24, 1915, in Louisville, Kentucky. She attended Spalding College where she played
basketball and served as President of her senior class. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in education at Spalding
College in 1941. She went on to be the first female chemist in paint research for the Jones-Dabney company. During the war
years, Bentley served as a director of the USO in programs aiding war workers and their families.
In 1947, she received a fellowship to pursue a Master of Science in social work at the National Catholic School of Social
Service at the Catholic University of America (CUA) in Washington, D.C. She graduated from the Catholic University of America
in 1949. Upon completion of her Master's degree, Bentley became Director of the Kentucky Society for Crippled Children. From
there, she moved to Washington, D.C., where she worked as the field representative for the United Catholic Community Defense
Services. Her primary focus was on the western region of the United States. Bentley eventually moved to the west coast where
she became Director of Community Planning and Development in San Bernadino, California, and later, Executive Director of the
Girl Scout Council in Santa Ana, California. In 1965, Bentley became Editor of the Directory of Health, Welfare, and Recreational
Services; and a case worker for the California State Department of Social Welfare at the Metropolitan State Hospital in Norwalk,
California. Between 1966 and 1974, Bentley taught at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Her final professional
role was as a specialist in the Regional Center of Orange County, serving the developmentally-disabled.
As a lesbian activist, Bentley was a founding member of the Coalition of Older Lesbians (CoOL), and she served as a member
of the Senior Program Advisory Committee for the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center. She was also a member of the Uptown Gay
& Lesbian Alliance, as well as a long-time advocate for gays and lesbians in the Catholic Church.
Ester Bentley died on January 20, 2004, at the age of 88 in Los Angeles, California.
Source:
Ester F. Bentley Photographs and Papers, Coll2013-017, ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern
California.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open to researchers. There are no access restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the ONE Archivist. Permission
for publication is given on behalf of ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives at USC Libraries as the owner of the physical
items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Acquisition
Donated to ONE Archives in 2005, donor unknown.
Preferred Citation
[Box/folder #, or item name] Ester F. Bentley Photographs and Papers, Coll2013-017, ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC
Libraries, University of Southern California.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Simbree Touchstone and Loni Shibuyama, March 2013.
Scope and Content
The collection comprises photographs, negatives, correspondence, awards, clippings, audiocassettes, a videocassette, buttons,
a banner, and memorabilia, circa 1940-2003, from lesbian activist, community organizer and social worker, Ester F. Bentley.
Materials in this collection document Bentley's work in the USO and her professional career spent in community organizations
in Kentucky and California, often working with disabled children. Also documented is Bentley's participation in gay and lesbian
organizations such as the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center and the Uptown Gay & Lesbian Alliance (UGLA). In particular, this
collection includes hundreds of photographs of Bentley and her friends and family throughout Bentley's life.
Separated Materials
The following compact discs have been separated from the collection and cataloged into ONE Archives Audio CD collection:
Reprise Records Presents the Music of the 11th Annual GLAAD Media Awards [2 CDs]
Reprise Records Presents the Music of Outfest 99, Welcome Home, Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Film Festival [1 CD]
Arrangement
Materials from Ester Bentley's scrapbook is at the beginning of this collection. The remaining folders/items are arranged
alphabetically.
Related Materials
[Ester F. Bentley papers]. UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, UCLA.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Catholic gays -- United States
Correspondence
Lesbian activists
Lesbian community -- Los Angeles
Photographs
Bentley, Ester F.
Ester F. Bentley collection
Bentley (Ester F.) photographs, sample
Box 1, Folder 1
Scrapbook album
1957-1958, 1982
Box 1, Folder 2
Address book
circa 1970-2000
Box 1, Item 6-9
Audiocassettes
circa 1969-2000
Physical Description: 4 audiocassettes.
Scope and Contents
Includes recordings of proceedings at the National Conference for Social Welfare in New York City in 1969; music; and church
services and choir performances at St. Dominic Church in Los Angeles.
Box 1, Folder 3
Award plaque and certificates
Undated, 2001-2003
Box 3, Item 1-3
[Belts with attached buttons]
circa 1970-2003
Map-case 8.5
California State Assembly [achievement recognition certificate presented to] Ester Bentley
July 21, 2002
Item BAN141
Coalition of Older Lesbians (CoOL) banner
circa 1990-2003
Box 1, Folder 4
Correspondence and other personal papers
circa 1990-2000
Box 1, Folder 5
Delta Epsilon Sigma documents
circa 1980
Map-case 8.5
The Lumen Christi Award Presented to Ester Bentley
February 4, 2001
Box 2
Photographs and negatives
circa 1940-2003
Physical Description: 354 photographs: b&w, col.
6 negatives: b&w.
Item VV2786
Videocassette: Women's Night [at the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center], 20th Anniversary
2003
Physical Description: 1 videocassette (VHS).
Box 4, Item 1
[White buttoned jacket with handwritten messages]
circa 1970-2003
