Lillan Elizabeth Small
Lillian was born to Isaac and Rosa Lee Small early in the new year of 1941. She was born on January 13th and delivered by Dr. James F. Sistrunk in his hospital on Northwest 5th Avenue.
Her life unfolded in Fort Lauderdale where she still resides. Lil, as she is affectionately called, attained her early education at Dillard Elementary School, later matriculating to Dillard High School from which she graduated in 1958. She recalls her high school years as very exciting and full of many activities that she enjoyed in school and in the community as a member of the Cloverettes Club through the Federated Woman’s Club. She participated in oratorical and spelling contests on the local, state, regional, and national levels, winning first place on most of her entries. She enjoyed singing in the Chorus and Choraliers with her favorite teacher, Mrs. Rhoda Glasco Sneed-Collins, as well as singing with the choirs at her church- New Mount Olive Baptist.
Leaving her beloved Dillard High School, she attended Hampton Institute (now known as Hampton University, Hampton, Virginia), where she received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. She later received a Master of Science Degree from Nova Southeastern University and was selected to share her Practicum in the First Practicum Fair held at Nova.
Her first employment after returning home from Hampton in 1962 was at Provident Hospital as a Medical Records Librarian. She then went to work for Dr. Von D. Mizell and remained in his employment until his death in 1973. During the ensuing years, she became an entrepreneurial co-founder of Absent Secretaries Guild, a company specializing in medical-legal work, with her partner Katherine Ruffin. She also contracted herself out to Dr. Ira H. Wenze and Dr. Leonard C. Bass as a Personal Injury Insurance Specialist. While Dr. Wenze moved back to his home in Georgia, Lillian continued employment with Dr. Bass for 27 years. During the mid-seventies she was an insurance agent with Franklin Life Insurance Company.
Lillian began her career as an educator in 1980 at Madonna Academy (now Chaminade-Madonna) an all-girl Catholic school in Hollywood, Florida. She joined the Broward County School District at Sunrise Middle as a science teacher in 1984. Her last assignment with the school district was in the Magnet Program at McNichol Middle in Hollywood from which she retired in 2007. She became a member of the Broward County Retired Educator’s Association and served as the President from 2019-2021 and Advisor from 2021-2023.
Lillian still attends New Mount Olive Baptist Church where she remains a member in good standing since 1951. She was the president of the Anthem Choir for four years and a lead soprano vocalist. Singing from her that once came from the choir lofts is now heard in the pews. She is still a familiar fixture in her community. She is the Vice President of Trailblazers of Broward County, Inc, and a member of the Education Advisory Board for the City of Fort Lauderdale, as well as the Walk of Fame Committee. You can see her working with various political campaigns to GOTV and at her District Three Meetings for the City of Fort Lauderdale.
THIS is called RETIREMENT for this Pioneer who was honored by the South Florida Symphony Orchestra in 2019 at its Porgy and Bess Gala. When it comes to doing things in her community, she just does what needs to be done and works hard with the passion she holds for each of her community connections. After all, it is this community that nurtured her and helped her develop to her fullest potential. It is this community that beckons her fervent desire to live up to the quote “Service is the rent we pay for living on this earth.”
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Elouise Simmons
Mrs. Stephanie Ballard
Elouise Simmons was born on July 20, 1930 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She attended the historical Dillard High School, graduating in the 72-member class of 1949. She continued her post-graduate studies at Bethune Cookman College and the University of Florida.
Elouise married her high school sweetheart, Reuben Simmons, Jr. She is the mother of three children – Monte, Sr., Raynard, and Wanda. Mrs. Simmons has five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Elouise Simmons began her career as a Headstart teacher for Broward County Public Schools. She spent most of her career teaching at Croissaint Park Elementary School, retiring after 25 years of service in 1995.
Mrs. Simmons has always served her community. She was one of the first African Americans to take census in Broward County. Elouise has been a proud and active member of First Baptist Church Piney Grove for 76 years. Mrs. Simmons is a resident of Dorsey Riverbend and an active member of the Homeowner’s Association. She serves as a Citizen on Patrol, and she is a member of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).
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