Meet Janesia – August’s Phenomenal Woman!
Janesia Simmons prides herself on being immersed in the local community. Since 1999, she has participated in community activities with Gapbuster Learning Center, Inc, an educational program dedicated to promoting higher levels of achievement and closing the academic gap of students. Through her commitment to volunteerism, she has organized and implemented summer learning institutes, coordinated HIV/AIDS trainings for the community, and served on the planning committee for Youth HIV/AIDS Community Health Fairs.
In 2009, Janesia co-founded a non-profit organization, Divas, MPH (Making Our People Healthier). She has organized the following: several food, coat, and toy drives; planned educational activities for women on topics such as HIV/AIDS, cervical cancer, goal-making, and fitness and nutrition; and implemented peer education programs. She has volunteered with several women’s rights organizations with the goal of supporting and empowering women; they included Planned Parenthood of Maryland and Metropolitan Washington; CHOICE, USA; and Women in Network.
In 2006, Janesia earned a B.S. in Health Education and in 2008, a Master of Public Health from MorganStateUniversity. She was inducted into Alpha Kappa Mu National Honor Society and Golden Key International Honor Society and served as Secretary for Eta Sigma Gamma National Health Education Honorary Club. Janesia is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Some of her hobbies are reading, cheering, dancing, and participating in pageants. In 2009, she was selected as second runner-up in the Miss Black America DMV pageant.
Janesia is currently employed with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a Public Health Advisor. Her passion for community and public health has led her to work as a Community Health Educator responsible for designing, implementing, and evaluating health education and outreach programs in schools, communities, and local organizations. The most notable event that she coordinated was Saving Our Sisters from HIV/AIDS Health Summit, a full-day skill-building and awareness summit at GeorgeWashingtonUniversity.
Janesia’s dedication to serving others has definitely made a difference in the community. Majic is proud to honor her as August’s Phenomenal Woman!
