Comments on: Asante Sana, New Ancestor Judy Dothard Simmons http://whosemedia.com/drums/2007/05/07/asante-sana-new-ancestor-judy-dothard-simmons/ Tue, 24 Apr 2012 14:22:37 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Todd Steven Burroughs http://whosemedia.com/drums/2007/05/07/asante-sana-new-ancestor-judy-dothard-simmons/comment-page-1/#comment-1900 Todd Steven Burroughs Thu, 26 Aug 2010 23:46:05 +0000 http://whosemedia.com/drums/2007/05/07/asante-sana-new-ancestor-judy-dothard-simmons/#comment-1900 You're very welcome. You’re very welcome.

]]> By: Maxine Hines http://whosemedia.com/drums/2007/05/07/asante-sana-new-ancestor-judy-dothard-simmons/comment-page-1/#comment-1898 Maxine Hines Mon, 23 Aug 2010 04:30:00 +0000 http://whosemedia.com/drums/2007/05/07/asante-sana-new-ancestor-judy-dothard-simmons/#comment-1898 This has been a week of revelation. My Name is Maxine Hines, I’m retired and now live in California, but, I consider New York as my home. I was cleaning out an old box today, and came across an old cassette tape of Rose Morgan and myself from a 1981 New York Radio Show (WLIB) The Judy Simmons Show . The subject was “ Women’s Attitude/Money. I had forgotten all about that show, but as my mother would say.. God works in mysterious ways. Although the tape was incomplete, and parts of it was garbled, the message/lesson/wisdom still comes across. I'm working now to create a DVD from it. Wow, it’s hard to believe that was almost 30 years ago. May God bless Judy Simmons and Rose Morgan. Through researching the internet, this week, I learn that they are both now deceased. What remarkable woman. I was blessed to have met them both. Thank you for having a web-site where this type of information can be obtain. This has been a week of revelation. My Name is Maxine Hines, I’m retired and now live in California, but, I consider New York as my home. I was cleaning out an old box today, and came across an old cassette tape of Rose Morgan and myself from a 1981 New York Radio Show (WLIB) The Judy Simmons Show . The subject was “ Women’s Attitude/Money. I had forgotten all about that show, but as my mother would say.. God works in mysterious ways. Although the tape was incomplete, and parts of it was garbled, the message/lesson/wisdom still comes across. I’m working now to create a DVD from it. Wow, it’s hard to believe that was almost 30 years ago. May God bless Judy Simmons and Rose Morgan. Through researching the internet, this week, I learn that they are both now deceased. What remarkable woman. I was blessed to have met them both. Thank you for having a web-site where this type of information can be obtain.

]]> By: Todd Steven Burroughs http://whosemedia.com/drums/2007/05/07/asante-sana-new-ancestor-judy-dothard-simmons/comment-page-1/#comment-1771 Todd Steven Burroughs Tue, 23 Feb 2010 21:37:27 +0000 http://whosemedia.com/drums/2007/05/07/asante-sana-new-ancestor-judy-dothard-simmons/#comment-1771 Thanks. I'm still speechless. Thanks. I’m still speechless.

]]> By: kim #1 http://whosemedia.com/drums/2007/05/07/asante-sana-new-ancestor-judy-dothard-simmons/comment-page-1/#comment-1762 kim #1 Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:15:22 +0000 http://whosemedia.com/drums/2007/05/07/asante-sana-new-ancestor-judy-dothard-simmons/#comment-1762 I'm speechless!!! I discovered Judy Simmons on WLIB 1190 in NYC in the early 80's. I fell in LOVE!!! This woman became my "SHERO!!!" I was looking at the news an Pablo Guzman was on. He made me think of Judy!! I googled her name and......I'm still in shock!! My heart is HEAVY!! R.I.P. Judy!!!! I've missed U before but always hoped I see U again!!! I'll never forget what U taught me. PEACE!! I’m speechless!!! I discovered Judy Simmons on WLIB 1190 in NYC in the early 80′s. I fell in LOVE!!! This woman became my “SHERO!!!” I was looking at the news an Pablo Guzman was on. He made me think of Judy!! I googled her name and……I’m still in shock!! My heart is HEAVY!! R.I.P. Judy!!!! I’ve missed U before but always hoped I see U again!!! I’ll never forget what U taught me. PEACE!!

]]> By: Todd Steven Burroughs http://whosemedia.com/drums/2007/05/07/asante-sana-new-ancestor-judy-dothard-simmons/comment-page-1/#comment-1696 Todd Steven Burroughs Wed, 02 Sep 2009 00:01:00 +0000 http://whosemedia.com/drums/2007/05/07/asante-sana-new-ancestor-judy-dothard-simmons/#comment-1696 I understand. I'm envious of your face-to-face meetings. Thank you for your comments. I understand. I’m envious of your face-to-face meetings. Thank you for your comments.

]]> By: Rebecca Williams http://whosemedia.com/drums/2007/05/07/asante-sana-new-ancestor-judy-dothard-simmons/comment-page-1/#comment-1694 Rebecca Williams Sat, 29 Aug 2009 19:30:56 +0000 http://whosemedia.com/drums/2007/05/07/asante-sana-new-ancestor-judy-dothard-simmons/#comment-1694 I met Judy over the air about a year before we met in person. I was a high school student up late at night, and she had a radio show on WBAI. I would call in on occasion, and then one morning, after she had moved to early mornings, I called in to chat about music. My late father was a jazz musician, and he had been a guest on Lenny Lopate's WBAI show. Judy said, "Well, maybe your dad can be on my show, too, Rebecca." I was surprised that she knew my name, as I think I had mentioned it maybe once before, by accident (I liked my anonymity on the radio). I was very flattered, though. She told me to call her when she got off the air, and I did. My dad never ended up being on the show, as it turned out, but Judy and I became friends. She invited me for lunch after the show one day. I would call in to the show about once a week and discuss the latest political/cultural/whatever that was on my mind. I was also trying to be a writer, and Judy was so important to me, as I didn't know any "real" writers, and certainly didn't know anyone who took me seriously as a young wannabe. I really appreciated that. As I said, I lost touch with her for several years, but I had been thinking about her a lot. On about May 12, 2007, I was web-surfing and decided to google her name to try to get her phone number/address, which I had lost. In my search, I found her obit--she had passed a few days earlier. I think I cried for over an hour. Judy helped shape me as much as anybody, and I owe her a great deal. When I feel able to, I will write an essay on her. For now, though, I am inconsolable. I met Judy over the air about a year before we met in person. I was a high school student up late at night, and she had a radio show on WBAI. I would call in on occasion, and then one morning, after she had moved to early mornings, I called in to chat about music. My late father was a jazz musician, and he had been a guest on Lenny Lopate’s WBAI show. Judy said, “Well, maybe your dad can be on my show, too, Rebecca.” I was surprised that she knew my name, as I think I had mentioned it maybe once before, by accident (I liked my anonymity on the radio). I was very flattered, though. She told me to call her when she got off the air, and I did. My dad never ended up being on the show, as it turned out, but Judy and I became friends. She invited me for lunch after the show one day. I would call in to the show about once a week and discuss the latest political/cultural/whatever that was on my mind. I was also trying to be a writer, and Judy was so important to me, as I didn’t know any “real” writers, and certainly didn’t know anyone who took me seriously as a young wannabe. I really appreciated that. As I said, I lost touch with her for several years, but I had been thinking about her a lot. On about May 12, 2007, I was web-surfing and decided to google her name to try to get her phone number/address, which I had lost. In my search, I found her obit–she had passed a few days earlier. I think I cried for over an hour. Judy helped shape me as much as anybody, and I owe her a great deal. When I feel able to, I will write an essay on her. For now, though, I am inconsolable.

]]> By: Todd Steven Burroughs http://whosemedia.com/drums/2007/05/07/asante-sana-new-ancestor-judy-dothard-simmons/comment-page-1/#comment-1674 Todd Steven Burroughs Wed, 29 Jul 2009 13:10:24 +0000 http://whosemedia.com/drums/2007/05/07/asante-sana-new-ancestor-judy-dothard-simmons/#comment-1674 Y'know, Rebecca, the interesting thing about my relationship with Judy was that I never "met" her. We were long-distance phone friends. But she was powerful. I bet it was great to hang out with her! Y’know, Rebecca, the interesting thing about my relationship with Judy was that I never “met” her. We were long-distance phone friends. But she was powerful. I bet it was great to hang out with her!

]]> By: Rebecca Williams http://whosemedia.com/drums/2007/05/07/asante-sana-new-ancestor-judy-dothard-simmons/comment-page-1/#comment-1669 Rebecca Williams Mon, 20 Jul 2009 00:46:00 +0000 http://whosemedia.com/drums/2007/05/07/asante-sana-new-ancestor-judy-dothard-simmons/#comment-1669 Judy was my first real mentor. I first listened to her when she was on WBAI late on Tuesday nights. Then, she moved to early mornings, and then she was on WLIB. We became friends although she was almost two decades older. She taught me a lot. I still have my autographed copy of "Decent Intentions." She gave me 10 dollars for Christmas in 1982. We went together to see Whoopi Goldberg on Broadway in 1984, and Judy introduced me to Audre Lorde, who happened to be there on the same night. She tracked me down in 1999 through a mutual friend after I moved to New Jersey. I think that was our last actual conversation, but she meant more to me than she ever knew. She was no-nonsense, and she helped me grow up and mature as a writer. I will never forget her influence. Rebecca Williams, Plainfield, New Jersey Judy was my first real mentor. I first listened to her when she was on WBAI late on Tuesday nights. Then, she moved to early mornings, and then she was on WLIB. We became friends although she was almost two decades older. She taught me a lot. I still have my autographed copy of “Decent Intentions.” She gave me 10 dollars for Christmas in 1982. We went together to see Whoopi Goldberg on Broadway in 1984, and Judy introduced me to Audre Lorde, who happened to be there on the same night. She tracked me down in 1999 through a mutual friend after I moved to New Jersey. I think that was our last actual conversation, but she meant more to me than she ever knew. She was no-nonsense, and she helped me grow up and mature as a writer. I will never forget her influence.

Rebecca Williams, Plainfield, New Jersey

]]> By: Todd Steven Burroughs http://whosemedia.com/drums/2007/05/07/asante-sana-new-ancestor-judy-dothard-simmons/comment-page-1/#comment-1533 Todd Steven Burroughs Wed, 12 Nov 2008 05:40:50 +0000 http://whosemedia.com/drums/2007/05/07/asante-sana-new-ancestor-judy-dothard-simmons/#comment-1533 Barbara, I'd give away all of my 1960s Fantastic Four comicbooks to read a JDS essay on President-Elect Obama. We'll just have to listen closely for what her spirit might be saying in the wind, or late at night. Barbara, I’d give away all of my 1960s Fantastic Four comicbooks to read a JDS essay on President-Elect Obama. We’ll just have to listen closely for what her spirit might be saying in the wind, or late at night.

]]> By: Barbara Wilder http://whosemedia.com/drums/2007/05/07/asante-sana-new-ancestor-judy-dothard-simmons/comment-page-1/#comment-1531 Barbara Wilder Sun, 09 Nov 2008 17:47:13 +0000 http://whosemedia.com/drums/2007/05/07/asante-sana-new-ancestor-judy-dothard-simmons/#comment-1531 Judy, I loved you, but in the last year of your life I wasn't there for you. I was consumed with my own life's drama. And your amazingly brilliant yet acid tongue had wounded me, making me retreat from you. But I always meant for us to reconnect. We met in college. We sang together in summer stock in Amador County, California. We helped form SNCC at Sacramento State together. We loved the same man. You were black, me white. I went to LA. You to New York. We came back together a few memorable times between 1966 and 1995. But we remained in each other's hearts. Then in 1995, while you were in Anniston taking care of your mother with Altzheimers we reconnected. But only on the phone with monthly, sometimes more, long and delightful talks that fed my soul, and I believe yours. You were more important to me than I think you ever realized. Now, it is Nov. 9, 2008. Six days ago the first black president of the United States of American was elected. I needed to talk to you. To celebrate with you. To say, look girl, it happened. All our work. All our care and belief has paid off. But you weren't there. Your phone was disconnected. I called another J. Simmons in Anniston, and a perfect stranger said, "Oh, yes, I read it in the paper. She died. I didn't know her, but she seemed like a wonderful person." And all I could say, was that, yes, she was a wonderful person. I got off the phone and cried for the loss of my friend, for the missed opportunity to share this miraculous moment, and for my own weakness that kept me from you during the final year of your life. But when the tears subsided, I remembered our deep spiritual connection, and I could feel your love, and hear you saying with that sly smile, "Oh, Barbara, my sister, you always make such a drama out of things." So, my dear sister, Judy Dothard Simmons, I love you. I know you are dazzling them up there on the higher planes with your brilliance, beauty, and talent, and I just want to say, keep the faith, baby. We did. And look where our world is. A black president, my friend. And you and your magnificent voice helped put him there. Barbara Judy, I loved you, but in the last year of your life I wasn’t there for you. I was consumed with my own life’s drama. And your amazingly brilliant yet acid tongue had wounded me, making me retreat from you. But I always meant for us to reconnect. We met in college. We sang together in summer stock in Amador County, California. We helped form SNCC at Sacramento State together. We loved the same man. You were black, me white. I went to LA. You to New York. We came back together a few memorable times between 1966 and 1995. But we remained in each other’s hearts. Then in 1995, while you were in Anniston taking care of your mother with Altzheimers we reconnected. But only on the phone with monthly, sometimes more, long and delightful talks that fed my soul, and I believe yours. You were more important to me than I think you ever realized. Now, it is Nov. 9, 2008. Six days ago the first black president of the United States of American was elected. I needed to talk to you. To celebrate with you. To say, look girl, it happened. All our work. All our care and belief has paid off. But you weren’t there. Your phone was disconnected. I called another J. Simmons in Anniston, and a perfect stranger said, “Oh, yes, I read it in the paper. She died. I didn’t know her, but she seemed like a wonderful person.” And all I could say, was that, yes, she was a wonderful person. I got off the phone and cried for the loss of my friend, for the missed opportunity to share this miraculous moment, and for my own weakness that kept me from you during the final year of your life. But when the tears subsided, I remembered our deep spiritual connection, and I could feel your love, and hear you saying with that sly smile, “Oh, Barbara, my sister, you always make such a drama out of things.” So, my dear sister, Judy Dothard Simmons, I love you. I know you are dazzling them up there on the higher planes with your brilliance, beauty, and talent, and I just want to say, keep the faith, baby. We did. And look where our world is. A black president, my friend. And you and your magnificent voice helped put him there.
Barbara

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