By Jheri Hardaway
Staff Writer
Greensboro - Stephanie C. Simon is North Carolinian dedicated to art and service. After enjoying a 27 year career with the Guilford County Department of Public Health in the Maternity Services Program, specifically in Maternity Medical Records Stephanie was at a crossroads. “My entire career was in service to the citizens of Guilford County by fostering Healthy Mother/Baby outcomes. I count it as one of the greatest blessings in my lifetime. Since I don’t have children of my own, I believe it was God’s way of allowing me to contribute to the thousands of healthy children born in Guilford County during my tenure there. Truly, it was an honor.”
Stephanie’s mother, Ms. Carolyn Hackett Simon, always marched to the beat of her own drum and, in so doing, she was inspired to do the same. Stephanie watched and learned as her mother participated in the Civil Rights Movement while attending NCA&TSU and beyond, working at the Election Polls for decades, and serving as their church pianist since the age of 15! Stephanie shared that her mother, “Embodies the meaning of being a missionary and teaches me by example what it is to be a true citizen of the community at large and what it means to work for a better world for right now and for generations to come. Because of her, I have a deep appreciation for the way meaningful work can last beyond our lifetime and positively affect those whom we may never meet. In 2020, Mom and I were each honored to be featured on our own Official First Class US Mail Postage Stamp!”
As if that wasn’t cool enough a love of art emerged during a major life transition, “As I approached retirement from my career in Public Health, I considered what was next for me. I knew I wanted my second act to include continual learning. I have always enjoyed the Arts so I took classes in drama, improv, arts and crafts, and anything else I found of interest. During the pandemic, I began to do some craft painting and fell in love with it! Painting gave me a place to channel my focus. I found it meditative. When I began to share my artwork, people started asking if they could purchase my paintings; that’s when I heard myself say, “Yes, you can!” My art is now collected in seven different states by collectors as young as ten years old to senior citizens. It is my mission to contribute meaningful art to the world, starting in North Carolina.”
Stephanie is thrilled to continue sharing her art with the North Carolina Community! She has been selected to be exhibited at the downtown Greensboro Project Space Art Gallery, March 17-21, 2026, as part of the annual Community Small Works Exhibition.
One special fact that must be shared is Stephanie C. Simon made history, “I am an original COLD STEEL drumline member. I was the only female snare drummer on the drumline during the two years that I performed with them in the Blue and Gold Marching Machine at NCA&TSU. It was a favorite time at A&T and I am honored to have been at the beginning of their renowned 42-year legacy.” Now that is some serious Aggie Pride!
Her biggest piece of advice is to, “Keep learning and be open to the wonderful places that learning will take you.”
