Background
Sims, Martha J. was born on October 29, 1946 in Portsmouth, Virginia, United States.
Sims, Martha J. was born on October 29, 1946 in Portsmouth, Virginia, United States.
Bachelor in English, Mary Baldwin College, 1968. Master of Science in Library. Science, University North Carolina, 1969.
Master of Business Administration in Public Administration, Old Dominion University, 1979.
Reference assistant, U. North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 1968-1969; library art and music department, Richmond Public Library., 1969-1971; branch library, Virginia Beach Public Library., 1971-1974; assistant director, Virginia Beach Public Library., 1974-1976; director, Virginia Beach Public Library., since 1976. Member of advisory board New Virginia Review, 1976-1980.
Board of directors Virginia Beach Arts Center, 1971-1982, treasurer, 1974-1975. Member Virginia Beach Bicentennial Commission, 1975-1976, Junior League Norfolk, Virginia Beach, 1976-1982. Secretary Tidewater Area Library.
Director's Council, 1984-1985. Board directors Boys Club Norfolk/Virginia Beach, 1986-1990, Literacy Action South Hampton Roads, since 1988, Virginia Center for the Book, since 1987, president since 1995, Virginia Literacy Foundation, since 1989. Member steering committee Virginia Beach Roundtable, 1988-1992.
Census chairperson Mayor's Complete Count Committee 1990, 1989-1990. Lead agent region 12 literacy coordinator committee State Office Adult Literacy, 1989-1992. Trustee, secretary Virginia Beach Public Library.
Endowment Foundation, since 1982. Member of advisory board Tidewater Literacy Council, since 1984. Teacher Sunday school 1st Presbyterian Church, since 1988.
Member steering committee Adult Literacy Lab, Adult Lng.Ctr. Virginia Beach Public Schools, since 1989. Keel division leader United Way, 1991-1992.
Board of trustees Norfolk Academy, since 1991. Keel club chairperson UnitedWay, Virginia Beach, 1992-1993. Vice chairman United Way, Virginia Beach,1995.
Member American Library Association, American Society Public Adminstrs., Southeastern Library. Association, Virginia Library. Association (secretary 1976-1978, legislation committee 1979-1985, local arrangements 1982 convention 1981-1982, chairman public library section 1982-1984, state library board liaison committee 1984-1988).
Married Hunter Sims; children: Hunter, Clara.