Political, business pioneer not ready to call it quits

West Chester resident was first black person elected to office in Warren County

Ethel Sims looks through her scrapbook Tuesday, Feb. 2, of certificates and newspaper articles at her West Chester home. Sims was the first black member of the Lebanon school board and a prominent business owner. Staff photo by Apryl Pilolli

Apryl Pilolli/Staff photographer Ethel Sims looks through her scrapbook Tuesday, Feb. 2, of certificates and newspaper articles at her West Chester home. Sims was the first black member of the Lebanon school board and a prominent business owner. Staff photo by Apryl Pilolli

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By Justin McClelland, Staff Writer Updated 12:50 AM Monday, February 8, 2010

LEBANON — Ethel Sims threw the scrapbook overflowing with memories down with a thud. As the large book popped open, yellowed clippings spilled out, revealing photos and mementos from more than 50 years of public service.

“I’ve been busy,” Sims said matter-of-factly.

It is amazing that this tiny woman — she stands less than 5 feet tall and probably weighs no more than the scrapbook she dumped onto her dining room table — can be so nonchalant about her life.

Sims was the first black person elected to public office in Warren County. She was one of the first black women business owners in Lebanon. She raised 10 children with her husband Gerald.

And she said she’s far from finished.

“God’s kept me here for a reason,” Sims said. “I still have a lot to do.”

Sims was recently honored during the Lebanon Martin Luther King Jr. celebration for her contribution to the community.

Sims was born in Clermont County, the daughter of farmers who stressed the importance of education.

“My father always said as long as you can go to school and learn how to read, write and spell, you can get by,” Sims said. “I followed his advice all the days of my life.”

Sims dreamed of running a clothing store and when she moved to Lebanon in the 1940s, she began working at Calico in downtown.

She won the job by passing a math test, beating out several dozen applicants.

“I was pregnant with my first son and the owner said to me that I could do well at the shop. So he gave me the shop,” Sims said.

Sims said trying to run a business as a black woman was difficult but she persevered and delivered a quality product.

“Some people threatened to burn my store down,” Sims said. “Lebanon wasn’t ready for a black woman to own a business. But I stood up to them. I told them ‘You might not be ready, but you better get ready because I’m here to stay.’”

In 1971, Sims, always a proponent of education, was elected to the Lebanon School Board.

Sims understands her place in the history of Warren County, but remains in awe of those who came before.

“I don’t want to prop myself up,” Sims said. “I know I had the help of God and all the friends and good people who stuck by me. I can’t be thankful enough to live in this great country of ours.”

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