When Ivy Sinclair Simons (nee Philip) of New York and Bermuda was on the eve recently of celebrating her 90th birthday, as an historian this columnist reflected on the era ‘back in the day’ when her’s was a household name, particularly among Bermudians contemplating a visit to the States, seeking higher educational or just plain social or cultural contacts.In these modern E-World times travel to the States can be considered an ‘easy street’ matter in comparison to the days leading up to the 20th Century and particularly during the post Second World Wart era. Bermudians, along with nationals from other countries arriving in New York without proper contacts, could find themselves sent to the dreaded Ellis Island for processing and possible repatriation.That’s when a group of progressive Bermudians decided in 1898 to form the Bermuda Benevolent Association (BBA) to do the essential networking for their compatriots. Its leaders were highly respected as unofficial ambassadors of Bermuda. They purchased prime property in the city, built a commodious home or headquarters that became a ‘home away from home’ and a springboard for the association’s varied social, cultural and benevolent programmes.As times changed, BBA leaders visualising the probability of being neutered into obsolescence, wisely decided to capitalise on the clause in their original constitution that allowed for liquidation.The extensive BBA files are now an essential part of the archives of the famous Schomburg Library in New York.There were two factors that plunged me into my archives relative to the exquisite 90th birthday celebration given Ivy Sinclair in Harlem by her son Eglon Simons and his wife Renee. Firstly, it was to retrieve the profile the BBA commissioned me to write on Ivy for one of its publications. Secondly was the fact that US Congressman Charles B Rangel made a dramatic appearance at the party to present Ivy with an enlarged copy of the Proclamation he had entered into the Records of the Congress of the US House of Representatives hailing Ivy as a ‘formidable woman’. The text of the Proclamation accompanies this article. Following are extracts from the profile I wrote over a decade ago for the BBA:Ivy S Simons can be justly proud of her involvement with the Bermuda Benevolent Association. It stretched over the 54 years that had elapsed since 1944 when she first became a member. As a well trained, young dressmaker she had arrived from her home in Somerset, Bermuda to attend the McDowell School of Dressmaking in New York City. She graduated as a pattern maker and designer, with embellished skills that served her well in her demanding private business as a couturier to many exclusive customers in Bermuda and abroad; and in her 26 years as a dressmaker in the alterations department of Bloomingdale’s Department Store.The Association was in its heyday by 1954 when Ivy became a permanent resident, ultimately gaining US citizenship. The zest and zeal of the many dedicated members she observed promoting the BBA’s varied programmes left an indelible impression on her from the outset. Not only was she inspired to indulge likewise, but to devote her talents to the wider community, particularly, in the Grace Congregational Church. She became a member there in 1959 and three years later was elected Deaconess. Since 1992 it was her distinction to serve as chair of the Board of Deacons. Among other things she was a member of the church’s Altar Guild and on the Board of directors of its Credit Union.Significantly, her first office in the BBA was as Chaplain. The highlight of her tenure was being elected in 1959 as president, the first woman to hold that office in the 62-year history of the organisation. The significance of that happening was memorialised when in 1982 her picture was unveiled in the headquarters of the Association.In its centennial Year, Ivy was its Financial Secretary, having held that office since 1965. She concurrently served as Chair of the Forum Committee; Life Member of the Executive Board and chair of the Board of Trustees.The eldest of the eight children born to Marie Pearman and Aubrey Thomas Philip of Somerset, Ivy, as a young girl in her island home gained attention for her ability to write and speak effectively. She enhanced those talents by mastering a Dale Carnegie Public Speaking Course in the Island. And she put her skills to advantage in her church and organisational work, including her representation of the BBA in the United in Benevolent Societies of New York. She served the latter as vice-president for five years, and also held the office of financial secretary of the UBS Holding Corporation.Ivy has been a true manifestation of the truism that benevolence begins at home. She has been a dear sister, indeed a surrogate to her siblings upon the untimely death of their mother at the young age of 45. As a loving mother to her only son Eglon and daughter-in-law Renee and her three grandchildren Kimberly, Cameron and Kourtney.Eglon is now retired. He received his MBA degree at Harvard University. After a career of 35 years in Broadcast and Cable Sales, at CBS Cable Vision Systems, he became executive vice-president of Sales Operations and Research at Cable Vision Media (formerly known as Rainbow Advertising Corporation).Renee, Eglon’s wife of 43 years, recently retired as managing director at Chase Bank. She currently teaches Advertising and Communications at Mercy College in New York. Both she and her husband are involved in a number of non-profit organisations.