The Simmons Black Oral History Project (SBOHP) is directed by Dr. Tatiana Cruz and seeks to document the lives and experiences of Black Simmons alumnae/i.

This section introduces the Black alumnae/i who have participated in the SBOHP and features brief audio clips from their oral interviews with student-interviewes. Narrators are listed in chronological order by graduation date.

[Click on their names to access their audio clips and corresponding transcripts.]

Linda (Wells) Clarke ‘71

Mrs. Linda (Wells) Clarke discusses student activism and her experiences with the Black Student Organization.

Cheryl (Doddy) Howard ‘71

Mrs. Cheryl E (Doddy) Howard discusses mentorship and career choices.

Patricia Whitley-Williams ‘71

Dr. Patricia Whitley-Williams discusses the Ten Demands the Black Student Organization presented to Simmons President William Park. Dr. Whitley-Williams emphasizes their demands for Black administration, faculty, and leadership.

Adunni (Slackman) Anderson ‘73

Dr. Adunni (Slackman) Anderson recalls elective options and a course with Professor (later Dean) Elizabeth Rollins.

LaVerne Victoria Kumeh ‘74

In this clip Mrs. Kumeh describes her time at Simmons University and the safety that she felt.

Gerri Williams ‘73

Ms. Gerri Williams discusses Black student life, courses at other colleges, and studying abroad in Brazil.

Beverly Byron ‘75

Ms. Beverly Byron explains the circumstances that caused her to change majors and graduate a year later than planned.

Zita Cousens Brown ‘75

Ms. Zita Cousens Brown discusses family history and her experiences growing up in Billerica, Massachusetts.

Pamela Moran Dashiell ‘75

Justice Pamela Moran Dashiell describes student teaching at schools in Roxbury, Massachusetts.

Brenda Mitchell-Powell ‘75, ‘08, ‘15

Ms. Brenda M. Mitchell-Powell shares her memories of the Ten Demands and the Simmons library.

Leslie Morris ‘75

Ms. Leslie Morris discusses friendship and the Big Sisters student mentorship program.

Karen Thomas ‘77

Dr. Karen Thomas discusses changes over time in the Communications Program at Simmons.

Theresa Brewer ‘78

Mrs. Theresa Brewer discusses maintaining friendships through different stages in life.

Beryl Irene Bailey ‘81

Dr. Beryl Irene Bailey discusses diversity, women's rights, and civil rights.

Additional Narrators

The following narrators also participated in oral history interviews. Their audio clips are not currently included on this site, but we will continue to add them if they become available.