Mom Muse | Marcy Simmons

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Mother of four and self-described “professional volunteer” Marcy Simmons just took supporting a cause she believes in to a whole new level. Enter the Penelope House Project, an initiative she recently launched to raise awareness and funding for a family shelter in her hometown of Mobile, Alabama.

Did you know that in the U.S., according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, a staggering 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have been physically abused by an intimate partner? And every 9 seconds a woman is assaulted or beaten? Utterly shocking when you stop to think about it. Penelope House not only provides temporary shelter and resources for victims of domestic violence and their children, but also works to raise public awareness and drive prevention through education. Penelope House also holds a special place in Marcy’s heart. When she was a young girl, the shelter saved the life of a close family member, thus having a lasting impact on her own life.

Marcy founded the Penelope House Project as a fundraising campaign to help prevent domestic violence and communicate the importance of shelters. She has created a special clothing line that includes ultra-soft tees and sweatshirts with specially-designed graphics and messages like “Give Hope” and “Peace on Earth.” With every item purchased, 100% of the proceeds will be donated to Penelope House. Way to make a positive impact on a critical, local community resource, Marcy!

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A few of the cute tops designed by Marcy for the Penelope House Project.

Born in Georgia and raised in Alabama, Marcy has a hard-to-resist (or say “no” to), charming southern accent. She graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in Business Marketing and built a successful career in human resources and legal recruiting, before she met and married the “man of her dreams.” Following the wedding, Marcy adopted her husband’s two children, Chloe and Logan, then a few years later, the two added Brooks and Charlie to their family. Busy with her four kids, Marcy decided it was time for a career change when the family moved to Dallas nine years ago. In addition to focusing on her family, she threw herself into volunteerism full-time, from cafeteria duty to chairing auctions and carnivals to serving as the parents’ association president at her kids’ school. With Marcy’s drive and endless energy, we can envision the Penelope House Project going nationwide!

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Marcy and her husband.

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The Simmons’ “kids” — Chloe (24), Logan (22), Brooks (8), and Charlie (7).
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Marcy with Brooks and Charlie.

MSL: Describe your style in five words or less.
Easy, effortless, casual, fun and maybe a tad funky.

MSL: As a “professional volunteer,” what do you like best about your philanthropic work? The biggest challenge?
I do love to talk to people and when I am passionate about something I love asking for money to support it. The biggest challenge would have to be convincing others to feel the way I do about something whether it be the local elementary school or a charity close to my heart.

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Event co-chairs Meegan Cramer, Marcy Simmons, Laura Saunders and Amy Pollard all dolled up for a wedding-themed fundraiser at their children’s school. Photo Credit: Autumn Leaves Photography

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A young volunteer sporting a Penelope House Project tee. 

MSL: What has been the biggest moment in your charity work so far?
Definitely launching the Penelope House Project. It has been something I have always wanted to do and just to see the website live feels like a huge accomplishment. I can’t wait to see the end result and how much money we raise for the cause.

MSL: What’s the one item in your closet you can’t live without, that makes you feel both chic and comfortable?
A white t-shirt. It’s a clean slate waiting to be dressed up or down with a fun necklace and cool jeans or just thrown on top of a pair of cute joggers.

MSL: Whose style do you most admire and draw inspiration from?
I love Anine Bing. She is a designer and mother of two with a cool sense of fashion that is effortless and chic.

MSL: Do you have any tips on how you streamline one’s morning routine?
I always lay out what I am going to wear the next day at night. Not to say it doesn’t change, but definitely a head start in the right direction.

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Brooks and Charlie.

MSL: Developing a unique style comes at an early age for some children. Do you let your children choose what they’re going to wear? How do you talk about getting dressed with them?
This is something I wish I was better at… but I do the picking out for them. I get the whole let your children be who they want to be and I love to see the child in the grocery store in their Halloween costume in March, but when my boys were little I always had them coordinating in their clothing. Now that all they want to wear is “flow clothes” (Nike shorts and a t-shirt) it’s wheels off and just letting them be boys. Our only daughter has a great sense of style that is completely all her own and super cute.

MSL: Tell us something about yourself that people would be surprised to hear.
I love to go deep sea fishing. Growing up on the Gulf of Mexico, it was something I would do almost every weekend. Not only will I catch the fish, but I clean and cook it too.

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Marcy with her catch of the day and son Logan!

MSL: What’s your best style advice for other moms out there?
Just be yourself and dress in clothing makes you feel good and comfortable. Don’t be afraid to add a little bit of something funky if you like it. Most importantly, get yourself a “Give Hope” tee and feel good wearing it knowing that you are giving back at the same time!

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3 responses to “Mom Muse | Marcy Simmons”

  1. Arleta Wood says:

    You are so beautiful and so talented. I am so glad u favor your great aunt when I was younger.

  2. Jack Coc says:

    So proud to call you my niece!

  3. […] go to help victims of domestic violence. Read more about The Penelope House Project driven by our Mom Muse Marcy Simmons. 2 | The gift of books and love of reading is so important to our children, and when you give a […]

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