Senator Velmanette Montgomery honors Esmeralda Simmons Esq upon the occasion of her retirement. Esmeralda Simmons Esq has had a distinguished career as the founding Executive Director of the Ceter for Law and Social Justice, a position she has held for over 34 years. Esmeralda Founded the Center in Medger Evers College in 1986.

Esmeralda Simmons Esq was raised in Brooklyn by immigrant parents and has held various public service positions on the local, state and federal level. Esmeralda served in the Office of Human Rights within the U.S. Department of Education, she has served as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of New York, first deputy New York state Commissioner on Human Rights and many more important policy influencing positions.