Dr Glenda Simms; Her legacy, her community activism, champion of women’s rights in Canada and Jamaica

BY PAUL JUNOR

The death of Dr Glenda Simms on Friday, December 31^st, 2021, has brought international tributes as she is remembered for her contributions to social justice and gender equity in Canada and Jamaica.

She was born in Jamaica where she completed her Teacher’s Diploma before migrating to Canada to continue her professional development as an educator. She pursued a Bachelor of Education at the University of Alberta in 1974, followed by a Master of Education in 1976 and a Doctor of Philosophy in 1985. She served as an Assistant Professor at the University of Lethbridge in Alberta between 1977- 1980, as an Associate Professor at the University of Regina in Saskatchewan between 1980-1985 and at the Faculty of Education at Nipissing University College in North Bay between 1987-1990.

Dr Simms rose to the echelon of administrative leadership as the first Black female President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Advisory Council on the Status of Women between1990 and 1995. She provided strategic advice to the Canadian government, supervised a staff of 44 including senior managers and engaged in a broad range of public campaigns related to issues specific to the educational, social and political lived realities of females in Canada and Jamaica.

In 1996, she was appointed Executive Director of the Jamaican Bureau of Women’s Affairs where she served for ten years until the year 2006. In this capacity, she provided advice to the Government of Canada on women’s issues, poverty, eradication, race relations, child labour and issues of development. From January 2005 to December 2008, she served as an expert on the Committee for the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women as described at the webiste:genderequality.gov.ky.

Dr Simms’ LinkedIn profile reveals that she served as Executive Director of Simms Consulting starting in December 2005. Senator Scott-Mottley in a statement on behalf of the PNP wrote,” Born in Stanmore, St Elizabeth, Dr Simms lived an exemplary life, and was an admirable leader and advocate for women’s rights, social justice and equity. Dr Simms was a woman, whom I deeply admired, and her passing saddens me, she was a passionate and fearless advocate for women’s rights and ending discrimination on the grounds of gender and race. Her rich legacy will have a lasting impact.”

Former Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller wrote, “She was strong in her conviction that the way to end gender-based violence was to create a better understanding between women and men. She was intolerant of any kind of gender discrimination and was strident and vocal when qualified women were passed over for important national positions.” Dr Simms received many awards for her outstanding accomplishments.

Dr Simms was remembered for her contributions to Canada at a Kwanzaa event in Toronto. Dr Jean Augustine, Dr Akua Benjamin and Adaoma Patterson paid tributes to her and acknowledged her immense social activism and advocacy during her time in Canada. Undoubtedly, her legacy and influence will last a lifetime.