Oretha Bridgwaters-Simms

Oretha Bridgwaters-Simms dedicated her life and career to education, community service, and advocacy for women and youths in Prince George’s County. She served as a Teacher, Guidance Counselor, Principal, Regional Director, Regional Assistant Superintendent, and Executive Officer in the Prince George’s County Public School System.

Bridgwaters-Simms illustrated her leadership and commitment to her community through participation in state and national education initiatives that enabled her to develop and establish education policy and utilize technology, innovation, and creativity to enrich traditional teaching methods and enhance student-teacher-parent communication.

The oldest daughter of Joe and Mary Norris, Bridgwaters-Simms was born in Alexander City, Alabama, and grew up in Louisville, Kentucky. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from Knoxville College in Knoxville, Tennessee, and a Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling from the University of Louisville in Louisville, Kentucky. She later became certified in School Administration and Campaign Management.

Bridgwaters-Simms began her career in education in Kentucky, Indiana, and New Jersey. Her nineteen years of devotion as principal of Glenarden Woods Elementary School in Prince George’s County, Maryland, earned the coveted Maryland Blue Ribbon School Award. Bridgwaters-Simms’ stellar career as an educator includes being honored with the National Association of Gifted Children’s Administrator Award, the Maryland State Association of Destination Imagination’s Lois C. Williams Award, Friends of Odyssey of the Mind Award, and the Washington Post Distinguished Educational Leadership Award.

In addition to her career in education, Bridgwaters-Simms worked to galvanize women to volunteer and support various campaigns and spurred community participation in the election process. Her leadership has made indelible marks on organizations such as Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., with a membership of over 600 members. She served in leadership roles on many boards, including Vice Chair of the Maryland State Human Relations Commission; former Chair of the Prince George’s Community College Board of Trustees; former Chair of the Maryland State Advisory Council for the Gifted and Talented Education; judge for Destination Imagination; trainer for the Accelerated Principals Academy; former Secretary for Harriet’s List; and facilitator for the Conflict Resolution Center in the Town of Glenarden.

Bridgwaters-Simms received many awards and honors, including the Prince Georgian of the Year Award, the Top Women of Service Award from Washington View Magazine, the Senegal Friendship Award, and the Outstanding Person Award from the Washington-Metro Managers Association.

She married John and is the proud mother of Timothy Bridgwaters. They live in Upper Marlboro.

“For those women who are coming after me, I want to say to you, keep your eyes on the prize…don’t give up…it is never over until you want it to be.” - Oretha Bridgwaters-Simms, Acceptance Speech for Induction in 2016 Women’s Hall of Fame