Esther A. Hopkins was a pioneering scientist, attorney, and local leader. Born shortly after women gained the right to vote, she was raised with a deep commitment to education. Encouraged by her parents, who overcame the legacy of slavery, she pursued her passion for science, earning a B.A. in Chemistry from Boston University in 1947. She continued her studies with an M.S. from Howard University and a Ph.D. from Yale, where she researched firefly biochemistry.
Her career in scientific research led her to Polaroid, where she worked as a supervisory research chemist.
Inspired by the challenges she witnessed in STEM fields, Esther shifted to law, earning a J.D. from Suffolk University. She served as Deputy General Counsel for the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, applying her scientific expertise to environmental policy and advocacy.
In Framingham, Esther made history as the first and only African American selectwoman and later became the board’s first African American chair. Her leadership helped improve governance, representation, and public engagement in the town.
After retiring to Martha’s Vineyard, she remained active in civic life. Her legacy, honored annually on March 3rd, reflects a lifetime of breaking barriers and inspiring future generations in science, law, and public service.