Patricia Simpson

Patricia Simpson has been an important part of her community since she was a young adult. Born and raised in The Bronx, Ms. Simpson has always had a calling and strong desire to uplift and work on behalf of those in her community who are unable to advocate for themselves.

After earning a Bachelor's degree from The College of New Rochelle, Ms. Simpson began working at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Health Center in the administrative offices. While there, she was a part of the first group of New Yorkers in healthcare to go into New York City public schools to test children for sickle cell disease.

Ms. Simpson has volunteered at Harlem Hospital, working with children with HIV/AIDS. In 1980, she started a new journey with Bronx Developmental Services. Through this experience, she was inspired to work with underserved youth in the community who had been left out and denied much-needed opportunities. She began bringing local youth to basketball games, karate classes, and baseball games. This important work eventually led her to become a therapeutic foster parent.

As a tenant of Patterson Houses in the South Bronx, her tireless and dedicated work led her to become a member of the board and Secretary for the Patterson Houses Tenant Association. When the then-current Tenant Association President retired, she ran for the position and won.

As Tenant Association President, Ms. Simpson works around the clock to advocate for those who call Patterson Houses home. Whether it is apartment conditions, a mental health crisis, garbage overflow in the hallways, water shutoff, or issues with heat and hot water, she does her best to rectify the situations at hand in a timely and respectful manner.

Ms. Simpson has been a vocal and outspoken advocate for her neighbors and for people living in public housing throughout the community. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ms. Simpson worked tirelessly to ensure her neighbors, especially the elderly, had food and access to all the resources they needed.