Green
The Columbus City Council has appointed new volunteer commissioners for the Columbus Human Rights Commission.
Appointed were:
• Dr. Amy Hale – term of two years expiring on March 31, 2027 (filling an open seat)
• Timmothy Green – term of three years expiring on March 31, 2028 (filling the remainder of an unexpired term)
• Clarence Simms – term of three years expiring on March 31, 2028 (filling the remainder of an unexpired term)
Hale is a Columbus native and serves as the VIMCare Clinic medical director. Prior to medical school, she served two years in the Peace Corps as a volunteer in Southern Africa, where she focused on HIV/AIDS education and community health initiatives. She continues that spirit of service and commitment at VIMCare, where high-quality, inclusive care is provided to improve access and health outcomes for uninsured and underinsured residents of Bartholomew County. She also serves the community as a Social Justice Committee member at First Presbyterian Church, as a board member of Su Casa Columbus, and as co-chair of the Healthy Communities Council.
Green is the Columbus Center Supervisor for Indiana Youth Group (IYG) Columbus. His personal and professional journey has led him to focus on youth-centered work, creating safe and welcoming spaces for young people to feel seen, supported, empowered, and valued. Before working at IYG, Tim served as the Youth Empowerment Coordinator for the Council for Youth Development and as an Assistant Boys & Girls Club Director for the Foundation for Youth. He is also a teen mental health first aid trainer and a member of the Heritage Fund of Bartholomew County Lilly Scholarship Committee. In his current role at IYG, he aims to ensure an inclusive, affirming, and trauma-informed environment for LGBTQIA+ youth aged 12-24.
Simms is the Senior IT Director at Cummins Inc., as, where he leads global digital transformation initiatives within HR Technology. He has over 30 years of international leadership experience in technology, operations, and community advocacy. Simms is also the Second Vice President of the NAACP Columbus/Bartholomew County Branch, working alongside community partners to promote equity, access, and civil rights. His career has spanned the U.S., Europe, and Sub-Saharan Africa, reinforcing his lifelong commitment to cultural understanding, systemic fairness, and ethical leadership.
The main role of the Human Rights Commission is to enforce the city’s long-established anti-discrimination ordinance, first enacted in 1969, which prohibits discrimination in housing, employment, public accommodation, credit, and education on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age (over 40), disability, veteran status, and familial status (in housing only).
Commission staff also provide education to the community, free training to area businesses and organizations, free technical assistance to residents and organizations alike, and also work with various community groups on issues integral to access, belonging, and inclusion for all.
Volunteer commissioners are appointed (or reappointed) at the discretion of the city council, serve without pay, must be a resident of Bartholomew County, and broadly representative of the community’s diversity.
The commission accepts inquiries year round from those expressing interest in serving in this volunteer capacity. Applications are available electronically on the city website https://www.columbus.in.gov/human-rights/volunteer-opportunities/ or by request to humanrights@columbus.in.gov.
