"Trailblazing Educator Chronicles Extraordinary Life in Memoir"

Ruth Simmons, a groundbreaking educator and the first African American woman to head an Ivy League university, recounts her remarkable journey from a deeply segregated and impoverished upbringing in Texas to becoming a distinguished educator in her new memoir, "Up Home: One Girl's Journey." Simmons reflects on her childhood experiences, the impact of community centers like Hester House, and the transformative power of education and mentorship in shaping her life. She highlights the importance of reaching out to others and the significance of language and literature in her personal growth.