Cindy Brinker Simmons Named New President of the Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation
Transition of Leadership Announced as the Foundation Celebrates its 40th Anniversary
(Dallas, TX) Nancy Jeffett, chairman emeritus and co-founder of the Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation, announced today the new officers of the Foundation.
Cindy Brinker Simmons, oldest daughter of the late Maureen “Little Mo” Connolly Brinker, who was a three-time Wimbledon winner (1952-54) and the first woman to win the Grand Slam in tennis (1953), was named as president. Brenda Brinker Bottum, the second and youngest daughter of “Little Mo,” was named vice president. Elizabeth Jeffett Norman, daughter of Mrs. Jeffett, was also named vice president. Ms. Brinker Simmons, Ms. Bottum and Ms. Norman will continue to serve as directors of the Foundation as well as Mrs. Jeffett and Norman Brinker, husband of the late Mrs. Brinker. Mrs. Jeffett will also assume the title of chairman emeritus and co-founder of the Foundation.
Bryan Dunklin was elected as legal counsel and secretary.
Carol Weyman, who has continued to implement the daily activities of the Foundation for 18 years, serves as executive vice president.
“I am very excited that Cindy, Brenda and Elizabeth are taking over the leadership of our Foundation after 40 successful, gratifying years,” said Mrs. Jeffett. “Maureen and I had a resolute mission to help influence junior tennis and to support those promising young stars who would later impact this wonderful sport. She would be so proud of what we have accomplished these last four decades and that her two dynamic daughters and Elizabeth will continue to honor and further the legacy of their mothers.”
Ms. Brinker Simmons was a graduate of the University of Virginia in 1979 where she was the number one singles player on the tennis team and served as captain of the team her fourth year. She received the University’s distinguished “Athlete of the Year” award her fourth year. Throughout her junior tennis career, Ms. Brinker Simmons was ranked number one in her age division in Texas. Her national rankings ranged from being in the top 10 to the top 20 throughout her junior career.
Currently, Ms. Brinker Simmons serves as president of Levenson & Brinker Public Relations, an award-winning public relations firm that is nationally recognized for its strategic communications excellence. In 1980, she founded “Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer” in memory of her mother, which is one of the largest pediatric cancer organizations in Dallas and benefits critical oncology research projects at Children’s Medical Center Dallas. Ms. Brinker Simmons is very involved in philanthropy and has received numerous awards honoring her charitable work.
In 2001, Ms. Brinker Simmons wrote the popular book, LITTLE MO’S LEGACY, A Mother’s Lessons, A Daughter’s Story that chronicles the lessons her mother taught her in life and in death.
The Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation has impacted junior tennis development in the United States and throughout the world with its diverse programs and activities. For further information on the Foundation, please contact Carol Weyman at (214) 352-7978 or log onto www.mcbtennis.org.