Join NHWHE for our March Book Club "Up Home" by Ruth J. Simmons.

A 2023 "Best Book of the Year" pick by The New Yorker and The New York Times, Up Home is a poignant memoir by Ruth J. Simmons, the trailblazing first Black president of an Ivy League university. Born in 1945 as the twelfth child of sharecroppers in segregated East Texas, Simmons recounts her journey from a childhood marked by poverty to a historic academic career.

Through vivid storytelling, she honors the resilience of her family, the guidance of dedicated teachers, and the community that nurtured her dreams despite systemic barriers. Simmons reflects on the enduring legacies of inequality while celebrating the power of education, ambition, and hope.

This inspiring memoir offers rich themes for discussion, including perseverance, cultural identity, the role of mentorship, and the transformative power of education.