Emogene S. Simons
Emogene Sanford Simons (May 4, 1880 – July 23, 1960) joined the Theosophical Society in America on September 16, 1912, and was an active member who wrote books and correspondence courses, lectured, assisted with the Olcott Foundation Awards, and donated money to a number of funds. She was also active in social work.
Emogene Lavinia Sanford was born on May 4, 1880 in Volney, New York.[1] She married Dr. Fred B. Simons in 1901. She was a teacher educated at Cornell University, and became an examiner in English at the Educational Department of the state of New York at Albany in 1903. In 1906 she published a text-book called First Year English for High Schools. She was involved in social work, being a member of the Cornell Women's Club of Albany, Equal Suffrage Club of Albany, Committee on Drafting of Constitution, and member of the Press Committee (1910-1912).[2]
Her husband, who shared her interest in Theosophy, died suddenly after starting his Theosophical work, which included the formation of two new Lodges. After his death, Mrs. Simons continued to support financially the work to form new Lodges under the leadership of L. W. Rogers.[3]
Mrs. Simons was a member of the Harmony Lodge of Albany, and worked actively in the field of Theosophical education, preparing study materials for beginning students. She prepared and lead several study courses for the Theosophical Correspondence School applying the methods used in the most successful correspondence schools of the time.[4][5] She also started a program of Theosophical Reading Circles by correspondence.
Writings
Mrs. Simons was the author of books such as Introductory Course in Theosophy, The Meaning of Life, and You and Your World, which were widely used in Theosophical study groups. She also contributed articles to The American Theosophist, The Herald of the Star and other Theosophical journals. The Union Index of Theosophical Periodicals lists 30 articles by or about her.
Mrs. Simons died on July 23, 1960, in Hartford, Connecticut, at the age of 80.[6]
Notes
- ↑ Passenger list of S.S.Bremen, Cherbourg to New York. Arrival June 6, 1930.
- ↑ John W. Leonard, Woman's Who's Who of America: A Biographical Dictionary of Contemporary Women of the United States and Canada. 1914-1915 (New York:The American Commonwealth Company, 1914), 747.
- ↑ Anonymous, "His Work Goes On," The Messenger 8:5 (October 1920), 552.
- ↑ L. W. Rogers, "The Annual Report: A New Enterprise," The Messenger 11:1 (June, 1923), 11.
- ↑ Anon., "Our Correspondence School," The Messenger 11:2 (July, 1923), 20.
- ↑ Anon., "Emogene S. Simons," The American Theosophist 48:9 (September, 1960), 196.