by Ruth Simmons
First published 2023
Ruth J. Simmons begins her story in 1945 as the twelfth child born to sharecroppers in East Texas. Her family lives without running water, electricity, or books in their home in Grapeland. Her mother stretches meager resources to feed the large family while her father shields young Ruth from the crushing weight of racial and economic barriers. Caring siblings surround her, and dedicated teachers recognize her potential in the classroom. The family moves from rural farmland to Houston's Fifth Ward, then to New Orleans as the civil rights movement takes shape. Throughout these transitions, Simmons navigates the segregated South while her intellect and curiosity open doors she never imagined as a child. Her journey leads from poverty to becoming the first Black president of an Ivy League institution, ultimately serving as president of Smith College, Brown University, and Prairie View A&M. This memoir captures how family love, community support, and education can transform a life against overwhelming odds.
Genres: 20th-century, african-american, autobiography, biography-memoir, 21st-century, american-history
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, rags-to-riches
Setting: East Texas, Grapeland, Houston, Fifth Ward, New Orleans, Smith College, Brown University, Prairie View A&M
Period: 1945, Civil Rights Movement
224 pages · Hardcover · Random House
Content warnings: racism