Simmons, Eva G.

Eva G. Simmons was born in Somerville, Texas December 31, 1938. She grew up in Austin, Texas. Simmons moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1963. She worked for the Clark County School District, and has an elementary school in North Las Vegas, Nevada named for her. Eva Goins Simmons never imagined moving to Las Vegas, Nevada, but she moved here twice: Once briefly in 1957 to be with her sister and then again continuously in 1963 after graduating from University of Texas, Austin and marrying her husband George Simmons. Despite their college educations, the employment opportunities for educated African Americans were limited. Eva had a degree in sociology, health and recreation; her husband had an engineering/architecture degree from University of Texas, Austin. Their persistence and talents eventually led to successful careers. George worked for Sproul Homes during the building of Berkley Square and at the Nevada Test Site. Eva's career path worked its way through the Clark County School District from teacher to administrator. She provides an understanding of the Sixth Grade Centers and Prestige Schools, which were spawned during the desegregation era. Today there is a school named after her in North Las Vegas, Nevada: the Eva G. Simmons Elementary School. She also was active in the Delta Sigma Theta sorority and the formation of Les Femmes Douze, a scholarship-granting organization.