Earlier this week, Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell presented Attorney Harold G. Booker with the key to the city of Federal Way in recognition of Harold and his family’s efforts in promoting Human Rights and Social Justice in Federal Way. Federal Way Council members recommended Booker as a worthy recipient for the Key, which is reserved for individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to the Federal Way community.
In the 1960s, Booker and his family experienced racial problems in Federal Way when they first sought to purchase a home in Federal Way in order to be close to Booker’s job in Auburn as a chemical engineer for Boeing. According to Booker, Federal Way realtors wouldn’t even show them homes for sale. However, they became one of the first Black families in Federal Way when they secured land from a White friend and fellow Boeing employee and built their home. Harold and Verda Booker’s son, Harold , faced some overt racist name calling at school and White friends faced name calling and other forms of disrespect for bringing Booker and his family to the pool at the local Community Club. Harold responded to all the negatives by being active in fighting for social justice. He helped organize and served as President of the Federal Way Committee for Human Rights which joined with the Seattle NAACP in exploring and documenting instances of bias in home sales.
Booker became President of the Federal Way School District School Naming committee and was appointed as a Commissioner on the King County Housing Authority where he served for three decades. He was on the board of Directors for the Seattle-King County Office of Economic Opportunity and served as interim director of the agency as the “War On Poverty” was being phased out as a loaned Executive from the Boeing Company. Booker was also an elected member to the Board of Directors of Project Concern. He actively participated in other community activities, like the Jaycees where he served as International Director of the Washington State Jaycees, a member of the Selective Service Board of King County, an elected precinct committeeman and was selected as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men in the State of Washington. The family joined both the Marine Hills United Methodist Church and the Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church and attended regularly and built warm relationships in each church.
Booker’s wife, Verda, was a Highline Elementary school teacher and was an active participant in all that he challenged. One major anti-discrimination project which received national attention took place in 1969 when Booker’s application to join the Elks Club was turned down because of their national policy to limit the Elks club to White Anglo-Saxon males. This incident led to months of letter writing to the local newspapers from people on both sides of the issue. The Federal Way Commission on Human Rights organized boycotts of Elks activities with Booker at the helm of the protest. Reportedly, a number of Washington State Whites revoked their memberships and returned awards to the Elks, during that period. Picketing of an Elks national convention at the Seattle Arena received national attention and started legal efforts to force the Elks to change its membership policy. It worked.
In retirement, Booker has been a pro bono volunteer with the Washington State Bar Association in providing legal services to those who cannot afford to pay for such services. The Bar has recognized him as Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year for his “willingness to assist clients who have multiple legal needs and require additional support.”
