Councilwoman Valerie Simmons Brings a Lifetime of Community Advocacy to White Plains City Council

WHITE PLAINS, NY — Valerie Simmons, a lifelong White Plains resident and respected community advocate, has been appointed to the White Plains City Council, bringing more than three decades of public service, housing advocacy, and labor leadership to the role.

Born and raised in White Plains and educated in the White Plains Public School System, Councilwoman Simmons’ commitment to service took shape early. While attending Herbert H. Lehman College with the goal of becoming an art teacher, she discovered a calling to community organizing through the AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) Program. As part of a three-person federal team, she helped build capacity for Westchester anti-poverty organizations during the height of Urban Renewal, with a focus on affordable housing initiatives.

Councilwoman Simmons spent ten years with the White Plains Community Action Program (CAP), first as an office administrator and later as a community organizer. Working alongside CAP Director Jerome “Bump” Robinson, local organizations, and political allies, she helped lead the successful effort to build the Slater Center following the loss of the Carver Community Center.

She later joined the White Plains Housing Authority, where she served as Resident Relations Coordinator and was promoted to Property Manager, overseeing 352 units of low-income housing. During her 36-year tenure, she also served as an elected union leader, including terms as Secretary and President of CSEA White Plains Units 9246/9152 and as Secretary of CSEA Countywide Local 860. After retiring, she was rehired as a consultant to the Housing Authority and remains active as a member of CSEA Retirees Local 921.

Councilwoman Simmons has long been engaged in civic and advocacy organizations, including the White Plains–Greenburgh NAACP, the Greenburgh–White Plains Chapter of the Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus, and the White Plains Youth Bureau Board. She serves as a District Leader for the White Plains Democratic City Committee and is a founding member of the Coalition for Addition Without Subtraction (CAWS), which advocates for inclusive redevelopment of the White Plains Galleria Mall with affordable housing and meaningful community benefits.

Her past leadership and service also include work with the Westchester MLK Jr. Institute for Non-Violence, the Westchester Police Reform Committee, WESPAC, and serving as former President of the Westchester Chapter of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU). In 2024, she was honored with a Women of Distinction Award by Assemblyman Chris Burdick.

“As someone who has spent much of my life working behind the scenes, I’ve always believed in advocating for people who feel marginalized or unheard,” said Councilwoman Simmons. “White Plains has a long legacy of diversity and inclusion, and my goal is to support our city’s progress without leaving any community behind.”

Councilwoman Simmons emphasized her commitment to ensuring that all residents are informed, engaged, and included as White Plains continues to evolve. “I want to help ensure that White Plains remains a vibrant, diverse, safe place to live, work, and play — and that every community has a voice in shaping its future.”