BIO Page Audrey Simmons
Biography for Audrey L. Simmons – Jan 21, 2025
Born in Baltimore, Maryland October 19, 1931. Attended the city schools including Frederick Douglass High School graduating June 1949. She continued her education at Coppin Teacher's College (Coppin State University) from September 1949 to December 1950. Earned a Certificate in Public Administration from Syracuse University, 1980 and then earned the bachelor’s degree from University of Maryland Baltimore County in 2004, Magna Cum Laude at age 73.
Started working at the Social Security Administration February 1951. In 1957, she resigned and opened a children's clothing store on Edmondson Avenue in Baltimore. In September 1960 she worked at Morgan State College (now Morgan State University) as the Assistant Comptroller. In October 1961 she went back to SSA progressing to the executive level of GS-12 as Special Assistant to the SSA Chief of Special Staff for Equal Employment, resigning in 1974.
In May 1976, took a promotion as Equal Opportunity Specialist at the Federal Aviation Administration headquarters in Washington, DC to become that agency’s first Black woman Headquarters EEO Coordinator. In September 1977, was appointed Chief Civil Rights Officer at the FAA National Facilities Experimental Center, Atlantic City, NJ.
In 1979 she served as Minority Business Coordinator and Special Assistant to the FAA Director of Civil Rights. Directed the FAA Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) program. Upon completion of that tour of duty she was rewarded with a Semester of study at Syracuse University in 1980 where she received a master’s level Certificate in Public Policy. From 1983 through 1986 she returned and served as Deputy Director, Office of Civil Rights, Department of Transportation, Urban Mass Transit Administration, Washington, DC. She retired from this position in October of 1986 after 35 years of public service.
May 1983, she co-founded a small imprinting sportswear business. In 1997 a second location was opened in the Normandy Business Center in Ellicott City, MD. Sold the business and retired in 2001.
She and her husband retired in 2000, and she decided to go back to school. In June 2004, she graduated from UMBC Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Museum Exhibition Administration and Design.
In 2008 she co-founded (with husband Hubert Simmons and Ray Banks) the non-profit Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (re-named the Hubert V. Simmons Museum of Negro Leagues Baseball, Inc.) This endeavor continues despite Mr. Simmons' death in 2009 accomplishing 54 years of marriage. She spent several years as the museum's Executive Director and assumed the office of Treasurer in 2017 and retained that position through 2025.
September 2008, the Museum had become incorporated in the State of Maryland and was recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a non-profit, charitable, 501(c)(3) corporation. Next on the agenda was to locate a proper site for the Museum, in Baltimore County. Then, bring the idea to fruition with people committed to being founding members. The Simmons' pastor and members of their congregation, the Lochearn Presbyterian Church, blessed them with space in the annex to the church.
There was a soft Grand Opening, September 26, 2009, to announce the existence of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum of Maryland, Inc. (NLBMM) as it became known. Fast forward through years of developing in-kind business partnerships, gaining volunteers, creating an advisory board, increasing number of traveling exhibits, conducting Youth Summer Camp, and two annual fund-raisers. November 20, 2013, the Baltimore County Executive, Kevin Kamenetz, announced the permanent location for the Museum at the new Owings Mills Metro Centre Complex. The space would be appropriately shared with the Owings Mills Branch of the Baltimore County Public Library and the Community College of Baltimore County with the anticipation of having a grand opening in the Spring of 2014.
The museum's name was changed in honor of it's name sake to, Hubert V. Simmons Museum of Negro Leagues Baseball, Inc. The SMNLB intends to administer projects designed to educate, advocate, and generate wide-spread interest surrounding the Negro Leagues, and create an awareness of the cultural, social, and economical impact they made. This is being accomplished by collecting, preserving, and displaying collectibles, photos, books, interviews, oral history, artifacts, and memorabilia that tell their story from the 1800's to the 50's. Additionally, our various programs have a high focus on youth to the principles of good sportsmanship & content of character which carried many of the veteran players to the national leagues and beyond. Perhaps they too shall one day leave a legacy that will foster community, conversation, and "a love for the game."
You are encouraged to join the efforts of those who work towards this end.