'In Spite Of' narrates growing up in Little Rock during Jim Crow era

Little Rock (KATV) — In her memoir, Treopia Green Washington shares her experience of life during the Jim Crow era. She grew up in Little Rock with parents determined to protect their children, as much as possible, from the cruelty of segregation laws designed to make people feel “less than.”

Treopia’s family and community created an environment where she and her brothers, Ernest and Scott, grew up believing in themselves. In 1957, a pivotal year in the course of their life stories, Ernest chose to be one of the nine high school students who integrated Central High School in the face of shocking violence. He was one of the Little Rock Nine.

Treopia describes their parents’ guidance that helped them develop the inner strength and conviction they needed to succeed in their lives, each in their own way. For Treopia, it was through following her path as an educator. She chronicles her many teaching adventures and the enriching experiences she’s had since leaving the classroom.

Through it all, Treopia finds her mother’s wisdom, inscribed in her heart and mind, never leads her astray.

In Spite Of is available on Amazon.

The author Treopia Green Washington shared with Elicia Dover about writing the book and what she hopes people learn.