Our very own Assistant Professor Gwendolyn Zoharah Simmons devoted her life to civil rights, the public understanding of religion, justice, and international human rights. Now, she is entering into a new exciting phase in her career: retirement.
During her distinguished career, her academic work focused on Islamic feminism and the interpretation of shariah and its impact on women’s rights. In addition to her appointment in the Department of Religion, Simmons was affiliate faculty with the Center for Gender, Sexualities, and Women’s Studies Research, the African American Studies Program, and the Center for Global Islamic Studies.
On Friday, April 19 colleagues, friends, and family gathered to honor her work as she approaches her retirement at the end of the 2018-2019 academic year. Over 100 guests were in attendance at the event, held in the Keene Faculty Center on UF’s main campus.
Several speeches were given in her honor and a video reflection on her life was shown (see the video HERE).
On her retirement and future, Dr. Simmons had this to say: “My heart is so full with gratitude and appreciation …while I am retiring, I plan to remain connected to the UF Programs with which I am involved.”