On a few occasions throughout one’s life, an opportunity allows you to meet an individual who has lived a remarkable life and someone who you will remember in your mind and heart forever.
Last Friday, I had the pleasure to meet and visit with one of these people, Esther Foreman. Esther graduated from Kansas City Kansas Community College with a degree in education, then transferred to the University of Kansas to get her four-year degree in education and came back to teach in Wyandotte County. At this point, you may think there is nothing spectacular about this story as KCKCC has had many students follow this same path.
However, Esther’s story is a little unique. As you see, Esther graduated from 
KCK Junior College in the spring of 1937 at the Horace Mann building on 8th and Minnesota, KCKCC’s first campus! And, on July 29th of this year, Esther turned a Young 102!!
Through the efforts of Sharon Ramsey (previous Clay) in the KCKCC Foundation and Pam (Louis) Walden, I had the wonderful opportunity to meet and talk with Esther. This visit came to be as she was excited to hear about the ambient learning projects taking place in our current buildings and our plans to open a KCKCC Downtown location. During the visit, Esther shared a few stories about her life which I thought you may enjoy as well.
Esther was born an only child in 1917 in Armourdale. Around the age of four or five her family moved to Quindero. Esther’s dad worked for the railroad his entire life, first working for the Union Pacific and then the Santa Fe. During her younger years, Esther remembers taking many trips on the railroad as her family received free vouchers since her dad worked for the company. They traveled many directions across the country, but her favorite memories were traveling by train to the East Coast (Esther’s dad was from Virginia) and visiting historical locations, such as Washington DC, where she learned so much about the rest of the country. During these trips she remembers how impressed she was with the dining cars, the tables so fancifully covered in white linens and crystal dishware covering the table. She also loved sleeping in the Coleman cars.
Esther graduated from Wyandotte high school in 1935 and then enrolled in classes at Kansas City Kansas Junior College. At this time, the College was located at 8th and Minnesota in the Horace Mann building, the College’s first 
building. She graduated from KCK Junior College in 1937 with a degree in education and then transferred to the University of Kansas where she finished her bachelor’s degree in education in 1939.
After graduation, Esther returned to Kansas City Kansas to do her practice teaching. Esther taught for about three years but then had to quit when she got married. At this time, married women were not allowed to teach as the schools were fearful they would get pregnant and then have to leave their classrooms. During the years she didn’t teach, Esther worked at Jenkins Music Company as she loves music and played the piano for many years throughout her life. When she was a child, her father gave her a piano for Christmas, when she really wanted something different. However, this turned out to be one of her most precious gifts she ever received. Esther played the piano every day even after losing her hearing in her 90s. She also played every Sunday for Sunday School classes until moving into the nursing home.
On December 7, 1941 the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and the United States entered World War II. Since so many men in the country were called to war, married women were then allowed to teach again. Esther taught at the Eugene Ware Elementary School for 25 years before she retired at the age of 60. She taught kindergarten her entire career and loved teaching. When talking about this time and her retiring at 60, Esther joked that ‘Social Security is probably getting pretty tired of me’.
Since retirement, Esther volunteered and spent her time involved with various 
organizations. For many years, Esther traveled with her friends from now Kansas City Kansas Community College. Beginning in 1972, Henry Louis (KCKCC dean) began taking anywhere from 40 to 130 KCKCC faculty, staff and friends on trips around the world. With the passing of her husband, Horace, in 1996, Esther took her first trip with KCKCC in 1997, traveling to China with Henry’s 25th Anniversary Trip.
One of Esther’s favorite trips was to Turkey, and it was a favorite for many who went on these annual expeditions. Under the tutelage of a Kurdish guide, Esther recalls learning of the lives of the early Christians and experiencing the caves of Cappadocia where early Christians carved their homes in the soft mineral underground to hide from the Roman soldiers. Esther also loved the trip to Italy and the Greek Isles where the weather was perfect, the surroundings beautiful and the food fabulous!
During these trips, Esther didn’t take pictures or buy souvenirs as she thought that was unnecessary. Instead, also having a love for poetry, at the end of each day she sat down and wrote a stanza about the day in a poem that would tell a story about the trip. At the end of each trip, Esther would share the poem with the entire group. (I’ve included her poem from the Greek Isles Cruise at the end of this blog.)
While Esther doesn’t garden herself, she helped support and gather volunteers for the upkeep of the Cooper-Foreman Heirloom Garden, located north of the Flint building at KCKCC. Every Friday at 9:00 a.m. during the growing season, you could find Esther seated in the garden supporting those from her circle of friends she recruited. At the end of each work session she would individually thank people stating “Thank you for all you do!”
As described by one of her long-time friends, Pam Walden, ‘Esther’s heart is 
always full of love and she has a love for education!’ In the short time I had to visit with Esther last week I can see exactly what Pam is talking about. I look forward to the next time I get to visit with Esther Foreman. She is truly a one-of-a-kind and an original Blue Devil!
ITALY AND THE GREEK ISLES CRUISE
September 17-29, 2002
A Poem By: ESTHER FOREMAN
(Each stanza represents a different day leading up to and during of the trip.)
A Mediterranean cruise-we’ll sail for miles
Interspersed with stops at many Greek Isles.
Illness has struck our Tony and Dee
We pray for them – a quick recovery.
A sad day for us, but Tony still thrives
There’s rejoicing in Heaven as he arrives.
Old travelers meet and hug again,
And then discover a brand new friend.
See a video, have documents in hand
Study brochures for a trip well planned.
K.C. to Detroit, then farther from home,
After eating and napping we wake up in Rome.
Buses are waiting, on to Mediterraneo,
Instructions are given, so now we can go.
Some start walking with help from the map,
Others are tired and just want to nap.
An early breakfast, then meet our guide,
Who shares Roman history, pointing out as we ride.
The Roman Forum with ruins still intact,
Shows intelligent leaders and engineers didn’t lack.
On to the Vatican and St. Peter’s Square.
The Basilica’s beauty and vastness are rare.
To the huge Colosseum where entertainment meant death,
Gladiators and animals drew their last breath.
The Sistine Chapel holds a world of art,
Famous paintings and frescos are all a part.
Many laborious hours on his back he laid,
By the Pope, Michelangelo never was paid.
Four million people and eight million cars.
Supper together – lights under the stars.
We leave the city through old and then new,
Landscapes change -mountains come into view.
We follow directions and do as we’re told
Ready for fire drill with good dinner on hold.
After big breakfasts, some walk their miles,
Into the wind, which ruins hairstyles.
Various activities, not all will take part,
Those who do, have learned a new art.
A choice of trips, now what-will it be?
Some take Mt Etna and volcanic scenery.
Walk down to the crater or up through the ash
Volcanic eruptions may cause a loud crash.
Mt. Etna is covered and smoke can be seen,
Vegetation now covers a lot of black with green.
Some sleep in on this leisurely day,
Others up early to get on the way.
Evening brings on the guests in their finery,
Some show the effects of too much winery.
A great show tonight – each act a thriller,
From modem Bob Fosse to the great Glenn Miller.
This energetic cast has talent galore,
We would stay longer if they offered more.
Various groups, but all take the tender,
Reach the land, then our tickets we render.
Some to Mycemae and the Lions’ Gate,
To Beehives and Castles made our lunch late.
Others to Athens, that huge metropolis,
Eager to see the famous Acropolis.
For some a wild ride to Palamidi Castle,
But they walk back down to avoid traffic hassle.
Extremely talented men, numbering six,
Providing an unusual classical jazz mix.
Most playing more than one instrument,
To entertain us, is their intent.
No Delos today, the wind is too strong,
So we’ll be in Mykonos all day long.
Grab an early shuttle for this shopper’s paradise,
Anything you want, and clothes in any size.
Little Venice and windmills, a part of this trip,
When all has been seen, then back to the ship.
Filipino food is special tonight,
Different and tasty to the very-last bite
Show time again – it’s always a treat.
We attend early to get a good seat.
Added attraction, the crew members’ show,
They’re proud entertainers -just see how they glow.
In dance and song, they tell of their creation,
Exotic costumes and instruments add to the celebration.
An enormous mountain, what a chunk of rock,
With layers of color, and here we dock.
Up the mountain – what a picturesque sight,
Villages appear as clusters of white.
Churches and shops, up and down like a maze,
Go easy on wine or Santorini’ s a haze.
Introduction to the show are champions of dance,
Tony and Margaret entertain and sometimes entrance.
Next comes Peter- his fingers can fly,
To any generation, his banjo can apply.
We can’t forget the faithful six,
Always there with plans to assist.
Another day to relax and do as you please,
White caps on the water and a warm, stiff breeze.
Some like to gamble – hope they can win.
If they’re not lucky- it must be a sin.
See sculpture artistry – a magnificent bird,
Chef Eddie’s soup at lunch will be served.
Six fifteen on the spiral staircase,
All show up with a happy face.
Hollywood revues “My Fair Lady” to “Cabaret”
Modem dance from toe to ballet.
Colorful costumes, sparkling in the light
Entertainers, so pleasant night after night.
Some to Stone Mountain – early civilization,
Temples of stone through years of excavation.
A ten-ton stone – how can it move?
It can be done, B.C. engineers prove.
Down to the cave, pre-historic homes are found,
On to the fishing village – bright colored boats all around.
Some to medieval Malta, others tour the town.
Tea Time, then dinner and for the show, we settle down,
An intriguing lightning show on the mountain,
Stromboli spouted its fiery fountain.
The time’s gone fast-enjoy today,
Some to Capri, others to Pompeii.
Eat, then walk, enjoy the show,
Pack our bags and get ready to go.
We thank Our Father, watching from above
Leading us safely with His eternal love.
To the Perkins’ and the Louis’ it’s now another time
To thank you again, and end this rhyme.
Just one more thought for Rosemary alone,
We love and consider you our very own.
Thanks, Bob, for the loan.