Julieta Simms and Tony Simms-Howell Reflect on their Combined 18 Years with Santa Maria
As part of our ongoing series for our 125th birthday this year, Santa Maria has been sharing memories from program participants, volunteers, staff and board members. We conclude our series this month with reflections from Julieta Simms and Tony Simms-Howell, who have served a combined 18 consecutive years on Santa Maria’s Board of Directors. Tony served from 2003-2012, and Julieta retired from the Board of Directors last year after serving since 2013.
Julieta and Tony both grew up in the Republic of Panama. When the Panamanian government was overthrown in 1968, Julieta and Tony, who had just recently wed and were expecting their first child, emigrated to the United States by way of Brooklyn, New York. Tony was working as a Senior Systems Analyst and Julieta was working for Chiquita International, Inc. when Julieta’s employer requested that they relocate to Cincinnati, the home of Chiquita’s national headquarters at the time.
After arriving in Cincinnati, Tony received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting from Union Institute and University, and later became the Commissioner for the Ohio Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs where he has served for over 25 years. Julieta has a bachelor’s degree in Labor Studies from SUNY Empire State College and later received her master’s degree in Education from Phoenix College. She has worked as an educator for Cincinnati Public Schools for over ten years.
Read more about Julieta Simms and Tony Simms-Howell story at the Santa Maria Community Services’ website.
