Building More Than Homes:

The Legacy of Ann Simms and the Women Build Movement

It all started on a sunny Florida vacation. Ann and Charles Simms were enjoying some much-deserved time away, soaking in the warmth and the waves. Charles, a respected home builder and a Habitat for Humanity Board member in Dayton, loved to share stories about Habitat’s mission and the lives it impacts. But on this trip, it was Ann who stole the show with one unforgettable story.

She told Charles about a day she’d never forget — the time she volunteered on a Women Build project and found herself up on the roof. Not watching. Not passing tools. Working. And she was 65 years old!

That moment sparked something big.

“Charles,” she said with determination, “we need to do this in Dayton.”

And so they did.

In 2000, the first Women Build project was completed in Dayton — a house raised not just with nails and wood, but with purpose and heart. Ann had a vision: she knew that empowered women could impact Habitat’s mission in ways no one expected. She brought together a powerhouse of female leaders, and together, they built more than homes — they built hope!

Over the years, Ann became the heart and soul of the local Women Build initiative. She championed the cause of single mothers, recognizing that a stable home could be the foundation of a brighter future. Before her passing in 2019, she helped 17 families — 17 dreams — come to life through safe, affordable housing.

But her legacy didn’t stop there.

In 2022, the Women Build torch was passed. Under the inspiring leadership of Elizabeth Breitenstein, market President for Fischer Homes, Women Build celebrated a major milestone: their 24th new home. The program had grown beyond what anyone could have imagined, changing the lives of 24 families and empowering 21 single mothers along the way.

What began with one woman on a roof became a movement — and thanks to Ann, Charles, Elizabeth, and countless volunteers, it continues to rise higher every year.