Full Biography for Marie Simmons

I am the youngest of 13 children. My mother had to drop out of school in the 5th grade. However, she held education in very high esteem. She taught my father to read and write, and dreamed of her children being well educated. I was born in St. Louis, Mo., in a neighborhood much like Marin City. As a child I experienced separation anxiety, I did not like school and had no interest in going. Personally, I preferred to drop out of school and hang out with my friends because I could not see how going to school was going to my life better. My mother insisted that I remain in school despite my strong resistance. No match for my mother's determination, I knew I had to graduate from high school. After high school, I got a job washing dishes in a restaurant. By the end of my first year as a dishwasher, I had developed a new respect and appreciation for higher education and decided to return to school. I received a BA degree in Psychology and Sociology from Lincoln University, in Jefferson City, Mo. I received a Masters of Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis, Mo.

When I was about five years old, I was told that children, who didn't have parents or someone, to take care of them, were placed in orphan homes. Upon hearing this sad news, I told my mother that I was going to take care of all the children who didn't have parents when I grew up.

My first professional job was in Child Welfare, Children Services, St. Louis, and Mo. Here I worked with natural parents and their children, who were placed in foster homes, adoptive homes, or institutions.

After four years in Child Welfare, I became increasingly interested in expanding my knowledge and skills in working with disturbed children and accepted a position in Child Psychology at the Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. In 1966, 1 moved to California and was employed as a Supervising Psychiatric Social Worker with the California State Dept. of Mental Hygiene in Fresno, Calif. I became Placement Coordinator for all patients discharged from California State Mental Hospitals, and in the S.Q. Valley.

While living in Fresno, I developed my first private Psychotherapy practice. I was the Social Work consultant for with several nursing homes in the area. I taught Psychopathology of Human Behavior at Fresno State University, Dept of Social Work. I was actively involved in a variety of church and community activities.

I organized and supervise the first residential treatment home for girls in the State of Calif. The home was co-sponsored by the State, the Fresno Mental Health Assoc., and two community groups. I was named volunteer of the year by the Fresno Mental Health Assoc. in 1970 for my participation in this project.

In 1972, I accepted the position of Assistant Director of Social Work, UCS.F Medical Center. I became Director of the Department in 1974. 1 was an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, UCSF Medical Center, and San Francisco State University. During this time I also lectured in the Dept. of Social Work, U C Berkeley.

In 1982, 1 was awarded a two year sabbatical leave to development and implement a Cultural Awareness and Race Relation Education Program for the UCSF campus of faculty, staff and students.

I terminated my employment at UCSF in 1984 and started a private Psychotherapy practice in Sausalito, which I have continued to the present. I was employed as a consultant in the Dept. of Psychiatric at Saint Francis Hospital in San Francisco, Ca from 1985 to 1998. 1 am currently teaching Senior Peer Counseling, Marin County Mental Health, Older Adult Services. The Dept. is in the process of developing a program in Marin City.

1973 was one of the most challenging years of my life. My mother fell, severed her spine, and was a quadriplegic for three years. She lived in my home until her death. Her care involved around the clock attendants, and a significant amount of my time and attention. Due to a family crisis and the death of my oldest brother, in late 1973, 1 became an instant mother for five children.

These children all graduated from MLK school, and are now successful adults. I have always taken hands on approach to my children's education. I have continued my interest and involved in the Sausalito School District for the past 20 years. I am also active in a variety of church and community activities in Sausalito and Marin City.