Something Must Be Done About Prince Edward County

Green is a native of Farmville, Virginia, the county seat of Prince Edward County where most of the events in the book take place. Her family was actively involved with Prince Edward Academy from its founding: She was a student there, both her grandfather and father served as board members, her mother was a school guidance counselor, and one brother taught there. After graduating from college, Green became a journalist, working for the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Boston Globe, and the Richmond Times-Dispatch. She holds a master’s degree in public administration from the Harvard Kennedy School.

Elsie Lancaster is a black woman who worked as a housekeeper for Green’s grandmother and mother for more than fifty years. When the schools close, Lancaster sends her daughter, Gwen, to live with her sister’s family in Massachusetts. Gwen does not return to Virginia until much later in life. Lancaster feels she missed out on the full experience of being a mother. Although Green’s grandmother insists that Lancaster is like family, neither she nor her husband ever asked Lancaster about her experience regarding the school closings and her separation from Gwen.