Making Education Work Campaign Site - Tell Your Story - Simmons College

Tell Your Story - Ellie Blanton '59

Tell Your Story - Jessica Verostick '04

Your story is an important part of the Simmons story – which has always been about making education work.

You worked hard to earn your Simmons degree(s). What impact has your Simmons education had on your life – whether on the job, in your community, or in other aspects of your experience? Do you have any advice for today's students?

What's your story? To share it, simply fill out the form below. Tips to get started.

* By submitting your story, you agree to have it and your name posted for public viewing on the Making Education Work Campaign website and, potentially, reproduced in other Simmons publications, including social media platforms and our monthly alumnae/i email. Simmons reserves the right to edit your remarks for length, privacy, and clarity.

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Mary Maistros Peteros '83

"From the moment I walked on campus, I felt at home and that feeling returns each and every time I visit the campus."

Ayoka Oma A. D. Drake '04SM

"Simmons did what education is supposed to do - it changes who you are by challenging who you are and how you think."

Catherine M. Mitkus '81SW

"Simmons planted the seeds of rigorous thinking and it is wonderful to see where the branches of the tree have reached, all rooted in my Simmons education."

Donna Scott '06

"... Education is such an important part of growth, so you never have enough."

Priscilla (Kay) Smith '43

"The four years at Simmons gave me the strength to change my life."

Nancy Flynn Connell '79
Global Training Head

"My Simmons education enabled my prosperity as well as my next generations' prosperity. Thank you, Simmons College."

Viveca Anderson Duffield '84
Teacher and Administrative Assistant

"Charlotte Marocco and the staff at Simmons gave me an opportunity to earn my degree with a part time job in the Treasurer's office, and hence the confidence I needed to finish my college career."

Lisa Friedman Schermerhorn '84
Personal Development Coach

"I finally had someone who believed in me and that was the beginning of my journey of self-discovery."

Annie (Priestley) Ellis '87

"I wish I could go back."

Erika Fields '08

"When I tell other people about my experiences at Simmons as a student, I'm amazed that they don't feel the same connection to their alma mater as I do."

Candyce Arena '10
Financial Analyst

"I am now a financial analyst at Barclays and I found this position using networking skills I learned at Simmons."

Juliette Mayer '01SM
Executive, Author, Speaker

"Whether it's through volunteering, mentoring and/or financial support, giving to Simmons is a great way to celebrate the critical role of education."

Lydia Gordon '10

"I didn't know what I wanted to study when I arrived on-campus as a freshman, but I knew that I wanted to be the best. That is what Simmons does. The college inspires women to never settle and reach for the stars."

Norma Roth Jackman '75GS

"I was proudly the first Executive Director of [the Program in management Development for Women at Simmons] and traveled extensively around the country to convince CEO's in major cities that the Simmons program was the only one for ensuring success for fast-tracking women into upper management positions."

Joanne Babitt Orenberg '77

"I attended Simmons College for my undergraduate degree in elementary/special education ... I have had many different teaching experiences, but I am finishing my 14th year as a resource room teacher in Swampscott, MA."

Cynthia Nadreau Whitty '89GS

"Launching my marketing communications business, Cynthia Whitty Communications, in 2012!"

Janet Denenholz Silver '64

"The writing composition and literary analysis I learned in Eng. 101 ended up providing the basis for my most satisfying job as a NYC theater critic 25 years later."

Ashley Samuels '13

"My brother went on to get his doctorate from Simmons and I expect that my sisters and I will also be continuing our education at Simmons for many more years to come."

Carol L. Sachs (Korb) '59

"Simmons gave me such a boost in self esteem and gave me the confidence to pursue my dreams, no matter how high."

Mary Cecelia Bittner '09

"She tricked me into visiting the campus to see her old dorms, she must have known I'd fall in love!"

Michelle Marken Rouse '90

"My mother Kay Panetsos Marken graduated 1956, my aunt Mina Philopoulos Marken graduated 1955, my godmother Rose Gavris graduated 1957.."

Lisa J.B. Peterson '03

"Even though I never met my Great-Great Aunt Marion, the stories my mother tells of her remind me of all the spunky, independent, full-of-life Simmons women I know today."

Lisa Blanchard Morrison '81

"The individual attention from professors was great and the strength and support of classmates inspiring."

Mignon Ariel King '96, '03GS
Womanist Writer

"In the Graduate Program in English I learned to love myself and to be proud of other women's achievements."

Anne (Locke) Stavig '62

"I am so very proud and grateful for my Simmons education. I hope and pray that Simmons will prosper for many years to come with excellence in education and preparing many students for fulfilling careers."

Leslie A. Morris '75
Director of Community Relations, New Jersey Primary Care Association

"I credit Simmons with saving my life."

Susan Strand '01GS
Regional Senior English Language Fellow

"Faculty at Simmons opened my eyes to what a truly student-centered learning community can be and I've been sharing the experience ever since."

Nicole Field '08, '09GS
Reading Interventionist in Boston Public Schools

"On my tour, stay-over visit, and classroom visit, I fell in love with Simmons and saw that it certainly was not just 'an all girls school'."

Elaine Lindy '85SM
Principal, Lindy Properties; Whootie Owl International; Celeb Vocab

"I now enjoy a hobby, Whootie Owl's Stories to Grow By."

Shantell Smith '12SM
Emerging Real Estate Developer

"I enjoy my SOM cohort and can't wait to develop a sustainable networking facility for women in Boston."

Joseph Wigon '03SW
MSW

"I have been elected the National Vice President of PASWHA: Professional Association of Social Workers Working in HIV and AIDS."

Amy Klotz '96
Development Professional, Simmons Volunteer

"I LOVED Simmons. I loved my classes, my teachers, the school, and even my commute on the T each day."

Stephen J. Bero
SUNY Oswego Professor

"I believe in making a difference in the lives of others. Simmons College is doing that every day."

Suzanne Clowes '10SW
Clinical Therapist

"I am enjoying my challeging work as a Clinical Therapist at Arbour Counseling, Franklin, MA. Additionally, I am back at Simmons for the Graduate Clinical Certificate Program."

Karen (Phillips) Freed '68SW
Clinical Social Worker

"I graduated from Simmons in 1966 and from the school of social work in 1968...I specialize in separation and divorce issues and was chosen by my peers as Best Therapist in dealing with separation and divorce."

Elizabeth D. Kenney '93LS
Law Librarian

"I will always be grateful to Simmons- the experience enriched my life professionally as well as personally, above and beyond ways I ever thought graduate school would."

Marie Wagner-Clark '80
Contracting Officer's Technical Representative

"I met some wonderful, interesting, and supportive professors without whom my Simmons experience would not have been as positive."

Judith Tavano '72

"I was recently interviewed for the following feature which appeared in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette: 'Generationally Speaking: Diverse Work Force Members Require Different Approaches'."

Judy Ashway '73SW
Psycotherapist

"I still love my work."

Sara Beth Berry '92, '93GS

"The bonding that went on between me and my floormates in Morse Hall was so special...there are no words to describe it...we became sisters."

Thelma Lumpkin '47

"You'd think with the passage of so many years since graduation from Simmons that all I learned there would have been used up...wrong..."

Muriel Duffy Schwarz '47
"grandmummy"

"I'm packing my bags for the year 2017 70th..."

Debora Lynn '82SW, MSW, Ph.D.
Clinical Therapist, Changing Directions Counseling

"Simmons gave me the most opportunity to critically evaluate my work in the field and research on my practice technique. Best of all, I have friends for life!!!"

Elizabeth Brenner '87SW
Director, Family Therapy Training, Boston

"My social work education at Simmons served as a springboard to a varied career."

Anne (Bivins) Mimms '77SW
EEO Counselor/Investigator

"With a background in social work, the sky can be the limit."

Catherine 'Kit' Ryan '80
Army Nurse Corps, Retired

"Simmons and the school of nursing provided a tremendously sound nursing program plus a strong, varied undergrad platform, which has been an excellent springboard for two masters in nursing degrees, 11 years as a civilian in Boston and Seattle, and twenty years in the Army Nurse Corps."

Caitlin McGuillicuddy '01 and Holly Matthews '01
Reunion 2011

"That confidence I found has brought me to where I am today."

Paula Ganzi '71 and Elaine Zetes '71
Reunion 2011

"I definitely think that my education helped me in the world that I am in today."

Lucy McCarthy '91 and Enna Jimenez '91
Reunion 2011

"Simmons has come so far since '91."

Carol Woolf '61, '83SM and Marcia Yaffa '61
Reunion 2011

"Like Marcia said, the emphasis was not on education courses, but on your major. We took a lot of Math courses, Physics courses, and Sciences courses."

Therese Champion-Welford '81 and daughter Meaghan
Reunion 2011

"When I came to Simmons, it was a real struggle. I came to Simmons on scholarships and worked two jobs and double-majored. It was real difficult, but at the same time, it was great!"

Taryn Hogan '01
Reunion 2011

"It is wonderful to see the women I spent my time with at Simmons."

Samantha Pearson '96
Senior Account Manager, Convio

"Simmons faculty, friends, classmates, and alums made me feel important and confident from the start."

Marsha Rosenfeld Kirshenbaum '65
President, MK Associates; Simmons Volunteer

"'Women were not meant to be mathematicians' - or so I was told in 1961. According to my high school advisor, my high math boards must have been a 'mistake - major in foreign languages,' he said, 'that is what women can do.' Well, that is not what Simmons women can do.'"

Gail Levin '69
Distinguished Professor of Art History and Women's Studies

"On May 2 and 3, I had the opportunity to visit the College...I had the occasion to recall my first mentor, the late Professor Wylie Sypher, a much beloved figure at the college for many decades."

Necy Lopes '10
Participant Services Representative

"One of the first things my friends and coworkers say about me is 'Wow you love your college,' and I do. Simmons was my safe haven for 4 years."

Kim (Nehring) Hine '94
Director of Production and Design

"I learned to be so many things while I was at Simmons...I learned to stand up for what I believe in, to work hard to get ahead, and to never take closed door as the end of the line."

Regis Murphy '06, '07GS
Teacher

"When I began working in my own classroom, I was shocked at how confident and prepared I felt. I met new challenges with the assurance that I had learned the skills I needed to succeed during my time at Simmons."

Dan Borden '11LS
Research Assistant
Harvard Library Innovation Lab

"I graduated from GSLIS in January 2011 after a stellar experience at Simmons."

Julie (Most) Widrow '90
Consultant

"Now after 25+ years, my sisterhood of support, love and friendship extends to our husbands and children. My life would not be the same without them - or Simmons for that matter."

Maurene Merritt '95
Nurse, Falmouth Hospital
Vice President, Simmons College Club of Cape Cod

"Thank you John Simmons. Thank you for sharing your hard work and fortune in an effort to secure an independent, stable life for women like me."

Jesse Haywood '10
Nurse, Hospital Metropolitano, Quito, Ecuador

"I chose Simmons exactly for this reason; so that I would have the confidence to pursue a career that would take me outside of my comfort zone and allow me to participate and contribute on a larger scale."

Anna 'Vanessa' Marquez '09

Anna "Vanessa" Marquez '09
Clinical Research Nurse

"I am proud to say that I am a Simmons College alumna."

Ruth Riceman Shire '44LS

Ruth Riceman Shire '44LS

Retired, Head of Children's Department, Mt. Vernon Public Library, NY

"Largely because of my Simmons degree, I never had a problem in finding a job when I relocated to another state and city, or worked part time while my three sons were growing up, or in finding a part-time job after my retirement."

Lynne Marino '81
Financial Advisor, Merrill Lynch

"I will be forever grateful to Simmons for jump starting my career during a time when most new graduates didn't have job offers!"

Ann Barta Crichton '80
Sales and Marketing

"Simmons College was a wonderful place for me to grow, discover Boston, and provided a sound foundation for my compass in life."

Elizabeth Albee Robinson '47GS
Retired Pediatric Nursing Consultant

"While in the hospitals, during WWII, student nurses were considered 'free labor', so the last semester at college helped us re-enter the real world."

Nancy Klemens '64
Warner Brothers

"I worked for 45 years all over the country and ended my career after 17 years with Warner Bros. in Los Angeles. My Simmons degree and training was well respected all over the country. Very importantly I still keep in touch and see whenever possible those girls (women) who profoundly touched my life."

Mary Jane (Bronfenbrenner) Harris '75
VP of Manufacturing at The Dial Corporation

"I had incredible opportunities as an undergrad, being a Teaching Assistant, doing an internship, close relationships with professors - that in most schools, I only would have had at the graduate level."

Marjorie Frank '61
Physical Therapist

"January 23, 1962 I graduated from Simmons with a BS and a certificate of physical therapy. I loved my profession and was well prepared to continue my education."

Emily Spencer Mills '10
Former Phone Program Caller

"I will always give to Simmons to help support the accepting, diverse and supportive culture that I love so much! Simmons really is a special place!"

Rebecca Crosswaith '10
Teacher, Sasha Bruce Youthworks, Inc.

"As I watched myself morph into an educated, more intelligent and worldly person at college, I knew and know now that without Simmons I would not be the woman I am today."

Pamela FitzGerald Campbell '96
Assistant Director, Online Alumnae/i Communications, Simmons College

"What can I say? I love Simmons!"

Dorothy Seibert Skylor '54
Physical Therapist

"I was shocked when I got a reply from the University of California at San Francisco that I was accepted for a position in the new hospital sight unseen!!! I learned much later the reason I was accepted was that the doctor in charge was very familiar with the Simmons program and knew I was very qualified."

Andrea Voccio '10
Department of Endocrinology and Bone Density

"I am more than confident that because of the challenging education I received at Simmons, I can excel."

Rebecca Szetela '07SM
Founder, Create!® Sewing Studio

"Whenever I hear a woman say she might be interested in pursuing an MBA, I tell her to look no further than Simmons."

Thelma (Teddy) Santoro Lumpkin '47
Retired writer

"I'm an English School grad with a minor in publishing, and it's great fun to use - even now so many years later - what I learned from Bosworth, Fessenden, and Valz!"

Nancy Garrison '96LS

Nancy Garrison '96LS
Graphic designer

"For me, it realized a dream and - that old cliche - 'opened new horizons.'"

Emily Bonignore '10
Teacher, post-secondary

"My advice for current students is to be tenacious! Be open-minded! And to speak kindly to one another."

Lucía Cordón '09, '10SM
Writer

"Five years ago, I arrived at Simmons. I was excited while confused and there were a vast number of subjects I was interested in...My academic mentors helped me define my interests while offering me a number of opportunities to explore the different fields."

Kenyora Johnson '10
Graduate Student at Boston University, School of Social Work

"Aside from growing on an academic standpoint, Simmons gave me the opportunity to grow from within...Throughout many trials and tribulations, the good and the bad, I was able to understand the dynamics of myself and apply it to my goals in life: to help others."

Erica Bowman '08
Photographer

"Simmons gave a an opportunity to explore a range of ideas and interests and because of that, my personal and professional background is unique and colorful."

Vangile Makwakwa '08SM, '09SMC
CEO: Speak 2B Free and Van Consulting

"My education at Simmons made me aware of the importance of doing something that you are passionate about."

Carmen Baez '79
President, Latin America - Diversified Agency Services at Omnicom

"Being able to stay engaged with the Simmons family - to give back and pay forward - is a privilege."

Julia Reynolds '08
One Laptop Per Child

"Through the support of faculty, staff, challenging and interesting coursework, my goals and self-confidence shifted dramatically."

Cristina Martinez '08
Assistant Account Executive

"My education and experience at Simmons made me into a confident woman and helped me define who I wanted to be."

Jessica Verostick '04
Critical Care Transport Nurse

"Simmons is more than an education, it is an radiant experience with far-reaching effects."

Stephen J. Bero
SUNY Oswego Professor

"I am not a Simmons alum. However, I am committed to making a difference in the lives of students."

Christian Pope Campbell '91
Communications Consultant

"Simmons gave me the confidence to pursue what I wanted in life."

Roberta Solar '75
Head of Lower School, Windward School

"There is something about Simmons that instills in young women a sense of themselves that remains true years after we are no longer so young."

Desirae Simmons '05
Associate Director, Scott/Ross Center for Community Service

"Even with my, perhaps overzealous enthusiasm toward academic study I am most changed by my learning activities that took place outside of the classroom."

Rebecca Yturregui '94
Director of Marketing and Stewardship, Wellesley College

"A Simmons woman keeps it all in balance."

Kassandra Kimbriel Jolley '95
Vice President of Development, Spelman College

"Simmons…has always been a place that saw more in me than perhaps I saw in myself at various times in my life."

Marie Brais Beam '95
Director of Advancement, The Fay School

"It is the place where I grew up, and I still see a lot of myself in those hallways and people. Staying in touch with Simmons is like going home."

Paula B. Young '75LS
Librarian, Dover (Mass.) Town Library; Three-generation Simmons Family

"We are proud to be a Simmons family!"

Susan Butler McNamara '72
Physical Therapist Team Leader

"Simmons taught us problem solving which has helped throughout my career and allowed me to grow as my profession has changed with the times."

Natasha Di Fiore '03, '08SM
Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability Specialist, SOM AAEB volunteer

"I would summarize my experiences while at Simmons and beyond as enlightening, empowering, and most of all, a place where I've met some of the most amazing friends.

Ellie Blanton '59
Retired physical therapist

"My junior year of high school I visited Simmons College for a weekend, staying in Brookline House, a small clapboard dorm. It was wonderful. I applied, was accepted, and that was the beginning of a love story."

Natalie Schwartzstein Fleischman '84
Fundraiser, Fletcher Allen Healthcare, Burlington, VT

"Life is about active participation and Simmons was a great launching pad for everything that has followed in my life, both professionally and personally."

Alice Clark Vlcek '64
Artist

"At the end of the first semester she went to the Admissions Office and confessed that she could no longer fund her education and would have to leave. Well, they would hear none of that……and Simmons began finding scholarships and loans to keep her in school."

Frances Zion Goldberg '59

Frances Zion Goldberg '59
Retired Psychologist and ESL Volunteer

"Without Simmons College in my life, I do believe my own intellectual interests and qualities would never have developed to the extent that they have."

Jennifer Larsen '06
Cultural Program Coordinator, The American University of Paris

"Simmons didn't change me – it simply gave me the tools and resources to become the person I had always wanted to be."

Suzzette R. Turnbull '03SM
Consulting Business Owner

"Simmons has given me the formal business education that I need to strategize, market, develop a business model and more…those are the tangibles. Simmons has also developed a confident, provocative and EMPOWERED woman…those are the intangibles."

Elizabeth "Chris" Klein Matthys '49
Retired Entrepreneur and Educator

"Over time, I began to see a need, pitched an idea unlike the industry had seen, and sold the director on implementing a new program….16 years later, I was able to retire at age 55!"

Rashonda Ambrose '02
Product Manager, Wyeth Healthcare, and Alumnae Association Volunteer

"One clear advantage that I have, that all Simmons women have, is that we have been educated at an institution that encouraged us to identify our unique talents, that provided us with professors who challenged us to hone these talents, that connected us to other Simmons women who coached us on how to showcase these talents, to ensure that we would always stand apart from the crowd."

Jane Bond Seamans '49
Social Services Public Relations Specialist and Class Officer

"Simmons taught me that a woman can achieve anything she wants with the proper skills and training."

Carol Woolf '61, '83SM
Human Resources Consultant

"Attending the SOM was the beginning of my new life both career wise and in my new found ability to actually talk and think business."

Lise Stahl Brown '75
Principal and Owner, Keensight Consulting and Leading Alumnae Association Volunteer

"What Simmons gave me was a safe haven in which to try on who I might be, to have a place where I could safely make missteps and then find support for regaining my footing."

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