NAACP to hold annual Human Rights Award Banquet
The NAACP Washington branch announced its recipient of this year’s Human Rights Award.
The NAACP will honor Gwendolyn Simmons during its 58th annual awards banquet at 6 p.m. May 11 at the DoubleTree by Hilton, Meadow Lands, according to branch president Phyllis Waller.
“Every year, someone in our service area is honored with this award for things they do above and beyond their job,” Waller said. “She is an absolutely worthy person to receive this award. She’s been doing community service for many, many years now.”
Simmons, of Monongahela, is well known in her community for her service as a former president of the Mon Valley United Way, and as a board member of the Mon Valley YMCA. She also serves on the boards of Monongahela Historical Society, Monongahela Chamber of Commerce, Monongahela Women’s Club and is a member of Mon Valley Hospital’s Partners in Health Committee.
She’s also known regionally for her service as former president of the Washington County Historical Society and the Washington County Hospital Authority. She’s also served on the boards of California University of Pennsylvania, Washington County Community Foundation, Washington YWCA, Pennsylvania Congress of Parents and Teachers and Urban League of Pittsburgh.
Simmons’ late husband, Paul A. Simmons, was a former Washington County judge. After he became the first African-American federal judge in Western Pennsylvania, he too received the NAACP’s Human Rights Award. He died in 2014, at 93 years old.
“We’ve had many recipients that have done many things within the community to help other people with regards to education or for their health and welfare,” Waller said. “The one reason I’m sure why it was started is that this event gives the NAACP Washington branch the opportunities to recognize and acknowledge people from the area that have dedicated and committed themselves to the ideals of human rights and human dignity for all individuals.”
The keynote speaker for the yearly fundraiser will be the Rev. Wendell Anthony, a member of the NAACP National Board of Directors. For the past 25 years, Anthony also has been president of the Detroit branch of the NAACP, the largest in the nation. He’s been pastoring the Fellowship Chapel in Detroit since 1986.
For more information about the banquet, call the NAACP office at 724-222-7820.