E. Denise Simmons facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
E. Denise Simmons
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Simmons in 2008
|
|
| Mayor of Cambridge, Massachusetts | |
| Assumed office January 2024 |
|
| Preceded by | Sumbul Siddiqui |
| In office January 2016 – January 2018 |
|
| Preceded by | David P. Maher |
| Succeeded by | Marc C. McGovern |
| In office January 2008 – January 2010 |
|
| Preceded by | Kenneth Reeves |
| Succeeded by | David P. Maher |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 2, 1951 |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Mattie Hayes
(m. 2009) |
| Alma mater | University of Massachusetts Boston, Antioch College |
E. Denise Simmons is an important leader in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She has served as the mayor of Cambridge multiple times. She was the first African-American woman to be mayor in Cambridge. She has also been a member of the Cambridge City Council for many years, helping to make decisions for the city.
Contents
Early Life and Education
E. Denise Simmons was born on October 2, 1951. She grew up in the Area 4 neighborhood of Cambridge. She went to schools right there in Cambridge.
She earned a college degree in Sociology from the University of Massachusetts Boston. Later, she received a Master's degree in Psychotherapy from Antioch College. In 1982, Ms. Simmons started her own business. It was called the Cambridgeport Insurance Agency.
Public Service Career
Helping the Community
In the 1980s, Ms. Simmons worked as the Executive Director of the Cambridge Civic Unity Committee. In this role, she worked hard to make sure that teachers in Cambridge public schools came from many different backgrounds. She wanted the school staff to be more diverse.
Joining the School Committee
In 1992, Ms. Simmons was elected to the Cambridge School Committee. This group helps make decisions for the city's schools. People in Cambridge quickly praised her strong work ethic. She was good at finding ways for everyone to agree. She became known as a calm and thoughtful leader. She always made time to listen to people.
Ms. Simmons is also a Justice of the Peace. This means she can perform marriages and other legal duties. She is also a notary public, which allows her to officially witness signatures on documents.
Serving on the City Council
In 2001, Ms. Simmons won a seat on the Cambridge City Council. This council makes laws and decisions for the city. She wanted to make local government easier for everyone to understand. She held "town hall" meetings to get more people involved.
Ms. Simmons worked to ensure that all groups had a voice in City Hall. She was a council member when Cambridge City Hall became the first city in 2004 to issue marriage licenses for same-sex couples. She also helped minority business owners connect with each other. She encouraged important discussions about race and class in Cambridge.
First Term as Mayor
On January 14, 2008, the Cambridge City Council chose Ms. Simmons to be the mayor. Her election was unanimous, meaning everyone voted for her. As mayor, she led the city's law-making body. The city manager, who is not elected, handles the city's daily operations.
Mayor Simmons made sure her office was open to everyone. She held meetings on many topics, like protecting the environment. She also helped coordinate social services and advised senior citizens. She became known for working very hard for the people she represented.
During the summer of 2009, Cambridge was in the news because of an incident involving a Harvard professor. Mayor Simmons became a spokesperson for the city. She was careful to speak calmly and thoughtfully. She was interviewed by many national news outlets. People praised her for her measured responses and for working to calm the situation.
Focus on City Council Duties
In February 2010, Ms. Simmons ran for a state Senate seat. She did not win the election. After the election, she returned her focus to her duties on the Cambridge City Council. She continued to serve the people of Cambridge.
In 2012 and 2013, she served as the Vice Mayor of Cambridge. She was again elected Mayor on January 4, 2016. On November 5, 2019, Ms. Simmons was elected to her tenth term on the Cambridge City Council. She has continued to serve the city, and began her third term as mayor in January 2024.
Personal Life and Interests
Ms. Simmons is also interested in history. She is a photo archivist and a family historian. She has led workshops for different groups, including the Cambridge Public Schools. She has received many awards for her work in the community.
See also
- Cambridge, Massachusetts municipal election, 2013
- List of first African-American mayors
- List of mayors of Cambridge, Massachusetts
- List of the first LGBT holders of political offices
