18 Facts About Barbara Lett-Simmons

Barbara Lett-Simmons was an American politician and educator in Washington, DC A member of the district's Board of Education from 1974 to 1986, she was active in the Democratic Party.

Barbara Lett-Simmons was an alumna of Western Michigan University which she graduated from in 1949.

Barbara Lett-Simmons worked as an educational coordinator for the United Planning Organization, a community services and empowerment organization and for a District of Columbia poverty program.

Barbara Lett-Simmons was the host of a local radio talk show and a cable television program.

Barbara Lett-Simmons was elected to the District of Columbia board of education in 1973, in which she served from 1974 to 1986.

Barbara Lett-Simmons wrote a letter to The Washington Post, in which she complained about a travesty of justice and questioned whether the newspaper's editorial board opposed Sizemore because she was black and female.

Barbara Lett-Simmons's opinion said, "the schools are the most significant institution in society, and necessarily education must be politicized".

In 1978, Barbara Lett-Simmons helped to launch a piano competition for District of Columbia public school students.

Barbara Lett-Simmons often clashed with school superintendents and other board members.

Barbara Lett-Simmons was defeated for re-election in the District of Columbia board of education in 1985.

Barbara Lett-Simmons was part of a vanguard of public officials who sought to leave their mark on the city.

Barbara Lett-Simmons aims were to broaden opportunities for inner city children, expand vocational training and make the schools more accountable to residents.

Barbara Lett-Simmons was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention starting from the 1970s until her death in 2012.

Barbara Lett-Simmons ran unsuccessfully for the Council of the District of Columbia in 1982 and 1984.

Barbara Lett-Simmons described her blank ballot as an act of civil disobedience, not an act of a faithless elector; Barbara Lett-Simmons supported Gore and said she would have voted for him if she had thought he had a chance to win.

Barbara Lett-Simmons was the widow of Samuel J Simmons, who died in 2003, former Assistant Secretary for the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Barbara Lett-Simmons was married to Samuel J Simmons for 53 years.

Barbara Lett-Simmons died on December 22,2012, at age 85 in Washington Hospital Center.