MOUNT VERNON — A historical marker placed on Public Square will make residents and future generations aware of one of the city’s previously best-kept secrets. The marker honors Mount Vernon native Dr. Ellamae Simmons, a pioneer in every sense of the word.
Family members gathered on Friday with city officials, historians, and community members to pay tribute to Simmons and recognize her legacy. As each speaker stepped forward, it quickly became evident that Simmons exemplified to the fullest her statement: “The goal will be met so long as we persevere.”
Simmons’ goal was to become a doctor. After graduating from Mount Vernon High School, she obtained a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Hampton Institute in Virginia. As she followed her dream, she embarked on a career of “firsts.”
As a member of the U.S. Army Nursing Corps, she became one of eight Black nurses to integrate the U.S. Armed Forces. As a pre-med student, she became the first Black woman to live in a dormitory at The Ohio State University.
After obtaining her medical degree, she became the first Black woman in the United States to specialize in asthma, allergy, and immunology. She was the first Black female physician hired by Kaiser Permanente.
She was the first black woman to buy a home in the Presidio Heights neighborhood of San Francisco. She was a co-founder of the Kaiser Permanente African American Professional Association (KPAAPA). She also helped establish the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Hampton University, a historically Black college.
As William Harvey, president of Hampton University put it in a letter, “Throughout her long and fruitful life, she broke down barriers, overcame social obstructions, and lived a life of service.”
Mount Vernon resident Amber Keener read Harvey’s letter, in which he called Simmons a “true legend who paved the way for other African American physicians to ‘dream no small dreams.’”
Ric Sheffield, professor of sociology and legal studies at Kenyon College, read a commendation from the Department of the Army that noted Simmons was a “remarkable trailblazer.” “We are proud of her service and the historic steps she made to make us the corps we are today.”
A letter from Kaiser Permanente, read by Mount Vernon Councilman Tanner Salyers, states, “to know and interact with her was to be informed, inspired, and compelled to act simultaneously. What a privilege and honor it was to have known such an impactful pioneer!”
Dr. Ronald Copeland, whom Simmons mentored, and Alva Wheatley, co-founder of KPAAPA, were among the signers on the letter.
Simmons had an equally profound impact on her family members as she did on those she encountered professionally.
“She inspired me to go to college,” said Simmons’ niece, Varian Wilson of Reynoldsburg. “She’s to be admired.”
Delabian Rice-Thurston, Simmons’ oldest stepdaughter who lives in Washington, D.C., described Simmons as a kind, giving, and inspirational person.
“It’s amazing to learn what I learned when I read her book,” she said. “I just thought she was a doctor.”
“’Life is good’ is what she always said,” recalled Simmons’ youngest step-daughter, Debra Rice, who came from Chicago for the ceremony. “She was always a rainbow in the things on the horizon. She was always so gracious, even when she was having health problems.
“We, too, are thrivers and survivors,” she added.
Daphne Rice-Allen, step-daughter No. 3 who chairs the Board of Directors of the Black American West Museum in Denver, Colorado, said she was proud and grateful for Simmons and the previous generations who made it through slavery, post-reconstruction, and the civil rights movement.
“It’s so powerful the shoulders I am standing on,” she said.
Diana Rice, Simmons’ second-oldest step-daughter who also lives in Denver, put it quite simply: “It was an honor to have her as a step-mother and friend.”
Mayor Matt Starr said that while many things about Simmons’ journey broke his heart, her courage, conviction, tenacity and perseverance to not only reach her dream but become a leading specialist in the medical community is nothing short of inspirational.
“As we dedicate this historical marker today, I hope that we can always remember her grace, courage, nobility, and godliness through a life rich in meaning which will inspire meaning in all of us,” he said.
Salyers first learned about Simmons and her book “Overcome: My Life in Pursuit of a Dream,” through some friends.
“I said there’s no way that this individual, having done all of these things, lived in this city and we don’t have a recognition of her somewhere,” he said. “After I read the book, my jaw dropped. This woman was a trailblazer.”
He got things rolling toward a historical marker but quickly enlisted others so that the effort would be a community effort. The group had to raise funds for the marker, and a Go Fund Me account was created.
“Within a week, we had the funds,” he said. “The community bought in and supported the story of Ellamae Simmons and wanted to make sure her story was told.”
According to Jeff Ward of the Ohio History Connection, there are over 1,700 markers in Ohio; 15 are in Knox County. Simmons’ marker is the eighth one in Mount Vernon.
“This was a labor of love,” Ward, a 40-year resident of Mount Vernon, said.
“What you are doing today is priceless,” Dr. Qiana Smith, director of residence life at OSU, told those who gathered to honor Simmons.
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