Zimmerman has twelve siblings and is one of 78 grandchildren. She received a RSN from Goshen College, a Masters in Maternal and Child Nursing, University of Pennsylvania and a Doctorate in Urban Education from Temple University. Her international service includes relief work in South Korea with Mennonite Central Committee and in India as a member of World Health Organization. Currently her service to India continues as a member of the Board of Directors of Rambo Committee, Sight for Curable Blind.