Faith against the Odds: A Memoir of My Journey from Mississippi to the Ivy League and Beyond

This book presents the story of Gladys January Willis—from early childhood to retirement as a university professor and administrator. It chronicles her experiences as a Black girl born and reared in Jackson, Mississippi, as well as her educational sojourn in college and graduate schools, and a career in higher education and entrance into Christian ministry as an ordained chaplain. In Chapter IX of the book, Willis writes:

It is no secret that in my racist and segregated community the majorit...