Hermina Washington was born December 23, 1957 in Henderson, Nevada. To take advantage of emerging opportunities for African Americans, her parents migrated from Arkansas to Las Vegas, Nevada, joining several extended family members already settled in the city. Growing up during the Civil Rights Movement, Washington was surrounded by strong, inspiring role models, including her grandmother and educators.

Hilda Bush was born in 1907 in Chernigov, Ukraine, Russia. Her family immigrated to the United States and settled in Bakersfield, California. She completed her elementary school training coursework through the Mennonite Church of America Board of Education in September 1925. Hilda and Charles Aplin married in 1927.