Celebrating Julieta Simms: One of the 2026 Seniors Who Rock!

The 2026 Seniors Who Rock event by Pro Seniors honors three community leaders: Alfonso Cornejo, president, Hispanic Chamber Cincinnati USA; Julieta Simms, educator, advocate, and a member of the Board of Trustees of Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME); and Howard Elliott, Founder and President of Elliott Management and WEB Ventures Partner.

The 2026 Seniors Who Rock, Pro Seniors is a one-of-a-kind awards presentation honoring inspiring older Ohioans who continue to make an impact in the community.

Julieta Simms, an award-winning community leader, was recognized as a 2026 ProSeniors Seniors Who Rock honoree for her lifelong service, advocacy, community leadership, commitment to education, and unwavering support of Cincinnati's Hispanic community.

Julieta grew up in the Republic of Panama. When the Panamanian government was overthrown in 1968, Julieta and her husband, Anthony Simms-Howell, who had recently married and were expecting their first child, emigrated to the United States through Brooklyn, New York. At the time, Anthony was working as a Senior Systems Analyst, and Julieta was employed by Chiquita International, Inc. Their move to Cincinnati occurred when Chiquita requested that Julieta relocate to the city, which was then home to the company's national headquarters.

After arriving in Cincinnati, Julieta earned a bachelor's degree in Labor Studies from SUNY Empire State College and later received a master's degree in Education, Bilingual and Multilingual Education from Phoenix College.

Julieta has worked closely with organizations that provide programs focused on building strong families and helping individuals achieve stability and self-sufficiency. She is also a dedicated educator within the Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) system.

“The impact of my work on individuals’ lives is what truly matters,” says Julieta. While serving as a board member of Santa Maria Community Services until 2013, Julieta prioritized being on the front lines and understanding the direct impact of her contributions on the community.

Julieta and her husband, Anthony Simms-Howell, are champions of inclusion, recognized for their contributions to advancing human relations, equity, and justice within the Hispanic/Latino community in Cincinnati and throughout Ohio.

The 2026 Seniors Who Rock event will be held at the 20th Century Theater on Wednesday, August 12, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Pro Seniors, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating older adults, their families, caregivers, and other professionals, will be hosting an event to celebrate the valuable contributions of older Ohioans.  Consider honoring a Senior Who Rocks with a gift to Pro Seniors, investing in the well-being of our community’s senior citizens. Seniors Who Rock also raises awareness of our services. As a nonprofit organization, Pro Seniors offers all its services free of charge. 

Source of Information from LinkedIn, Santa Maria Community Services, and  Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME) websites. Photograph courtesy of  2026 Seniors Who Rock.

This media release was written by Lorena Mora-Mowry, host of the Latina Today Podcast and a member of the Hispanic Chamber of Cincinnati Foundation Board. 

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