Wright, Ernesta

Metadata

Abstract

An oral history of Ernesta Wright, community advocate and executive director of The G.R.E.E.N. (Gathering Resources to Educate and Empower through Network) Foundation. The interview was conducted for the Women, Politics, and Activism Since Suffrage Oral History Project, for the Center for Oral and Public History, at California State University, Fullerton. The purpose of this interview was to gather information about Wright’s career as a local activist. Specifically, this interview talks about Wright’s childhood in Santa Ana, California; what messages she received from her parents about gender and leadership; describes educational background; talks about the role of church in her life; discusses experience with faith and community-based organizations; shares how education prepared her for work on The G.R.E.E.N. Foundation and in the business world; explains Money Making Mondays, Connect the Dots, and how these events encouraged networking within the black community; talks about organizing Women with a Purpose, and the Black History and Culture Fair; describes the purpose of The G.R.E.E.N. Foundation, how faith-based organizations impact communities, and how the Affordable Care Act aided health screening efforts in the black community; talks about the Black Marriage Movement; compares benefits of health conferences vs. expos with community members; shares long-term goals for The G.R.E.E.N. Foundation; describes her leadership style; discusses importance of volunteers to the organization; defines public service; explains why she considers herself an advocate rather than an activist; defines the term feminist; speaks about how her race affects how people view her as a leader; explains her approach to reach communities, and not ethnic groups; shares challenges in running The G.R.E.E.N. Foundation; talks about what she’s most proud of in her life; describes the role of faith in her advocacy and the importance of politics in her work; discusses why it is important for women to be involved in politics, and how men and women differ in leadership approaches; and finally, shares advice to young women who want to become activists.