Federal Way Senior Advisory Commission member Frank Fields has held many roles. One consistent role has been a continuous advocate for those who need it, which is why he was selected as The Mirror’s Hometown Hero for May 2024.

In 1983, Fields was featured in the Federal Way News for organizing a petition to advocate for added bus runs in the city. At the time, he was a part-time Metro driver and said riders were frequently caught by surprise that there were no bus routes past 6:30 p.m.

When he started working for Metro, he said, he was the youngest driver they had ever had. He also broke barriers in other ways.

“Most of the Black people that worked there did maintenance and stuff like that, but weren’t drivers,” recalled Fields, who loved to drive. “I passed the test with flying colors, but they found out I was not quite 21, and told me to come back in three months.”

In addition to work as a bus driver, Fields has worked in everything from security and corrections to modeling and media.

“Every job I ever had, I’ve always got to be an advocate of some sort. I was a thorn,” Fields said. This time he was referring to a push he made for company-issued cellphones while he was a correctional officer for King County Jail. The need really hit home for him when he saw “four horrible, horrible accidents in process” as he was heading to work, but didn’t have a way to call for help.

In more recent advocacy, he was outspoken about ensuring that seniors in the community had access to food deliveries and personal protective equipment. He has advocated for increased security for senior housing, fixing street corners where foliage caused a blind spot, accessibility features in apartments like pull bars in showers, and education around Medicare scams targeting seniors.

He also advocated for the creation of the Senior Advisory Commission in the city of Federal Way. Remembering the day he found out, he said when the mayor informed him of the news, he was “screaming and hollering…I was so happy. That was so heavy.”

Mayor Jim Ferrell said that “Frank is a great senior commissioner. He really takes his responsibility and duties to heart. He’s shown great enthusiasm for this role and is a shining example of why we created this important commission a few years ago.”

The mayor added that “the Senior Commission capitalizes on the life experiences of individuals in our community who have so much to give. We’re thankful for their service.”

Fields was also honored at the MLK Day Celebration event this year, chosen to hold a torch that lights the community flame.

Frank Fields in Federal Way, where he has contributed to the community, in the winter of 2023. Photos by Keelin Everly-Lang / The Mirror

Frank Fields points to a newspaper clipping in his home documenting one of the causes he advocated for in his lifetime.

Frank Fields was featured in the Federal Way newspaper in 1983. Article courtesy of the Historical Society of Federal Way.