Born in Homestead Borough back in 1933,
Raised up the hill at 15th and McClure.
Three girls and ten boys, a baker’s dozen family,
One of the bigger clans in the Valley, that’s for sure.
Their Frig a box in the window, coal stove in the dining room,
She remembers well the smell of the chestnut fumes.
Her nickname Bo, her best friend Mo, hung around with every kind.
Still in her mind, it was the best of times.

Her trips to Kennywood, one of her favorite memories.
She’d bring along a friend, or maybe two or three.
Paid no entrance fee, got most their drinks for free.
Since her dad manned a stand where he earned for his family.
He saved and bought a house on 11th Avenue.
She’s lived there ever since 1952.
It’s where she slept and played, worked and prayed,
She’ll be there ‘til her dyin’ day.
Oh, and by the way, she only eats one meal a day – Bo Esper

Right out of high school, got a job with US Steel;
First a messenger then a clerk in the rolling mills.
Walking back and forth from home to work when she had no wheels.
It was a heck of a trek in the dark up and down the hill.
For thirty-six years a steelworker union gal.
Loved her job, her co-workers like family and pals.
And when the mill shut down, she kept up the fight,
Making sure her hometown survived.
She had the drive, to keep her spirit alive – Betty Esper, Sister Esper.

Felt a patriotic pride, knowin’ she was part of the tide
That built this country givin’ everything they could give.
From the Golden Gate to the Empire State, held her head up high;
Knowin’ that steel came from where she worked and lived.

Got involved in politics to clean up a community park.
Wanted a place where she could walk her dog in peace.
In 1980, won a Borough Council seat, a long shot in the dark.
For more than four decades, her hard work never ceased.
The longest serving mayor in the Borough’s history.
Caring and sharing, helping anyone in need.
When I think of Homestead, her face stares out at me.
It’s her I see, this community maître d’ – Betty Esper, Mayor Esper

She had her friends and foes, that’s the way politics goes.
If she thought she was right, she was ready to put up a fight.
Her favorite sport was bingo; her lingo flows like prose.
Ridin’ on the back of that Harley Bike, what a sight!

Cleaning sidewalks, planting gardens, making snow cones for the kids,
Attending funerals for most everyone in town who died.
Providing low-income women an affordable place to live,
Passing out food at the Kitchen with Pumpkin at her side.
If there’s a public event, you’d probably see her there.
Rolling up her sleeves, on the go with her snowy hair.
White or black, she had your back
a shero for women everywhere,
Including those not yet here.
She’s right over there, sittin’ in that chair –
Bo Esper
Sister Esper
Mayor Esper
Betty Esper.