School was a safe haven for the children, and academic excellence became a coping mechanism. But in their traumatic environment, they could barely sleep, and the conditions were poor for washing themselves or their clothes. Once, they were called into the nurse’s office and confronted with teachers’ complaints about their hygiene. Because they were Black and poor, the teachers often ignored them, or resented them if they did well. Viola’s sister Deloris became a teacher because she wanted things to be different for young people in school.

Being hungry also made it hard for the young Viola and her siblings to focus in school. She acted out because of pain, getting into trouble with her teachers and being bullied by her classmates. Only working as a team with her sisters carried her through.