Ruth Simmons was the youngest of 12 children. Her parents were share croppers in east texas. Once she got to high school, bill simonds did have those devoted teachers who urged her to go to college. In 19 63, she got a scholarship to dillard university,. an h v c u, in new orleans. When i stepped outside the family, there was nothing. There was danger. There was lack of opportunity. But when i was my family, that was a place of safety.