Melanie Durand Grossman is a graduate of Louisiana State University (BA), Simmons School of Social Work (MSW) and Bry Mawr’s School of Social Work and Social Research (PhD). Born into a large Catholic family, her grandfather ran the town’s newspaper, written half in English and half in French. Her mother, the oldest girl of 12 children, preferred setting type at her father’s shop to staying home to help care for the many siblings. Thus, her mother, Genevieve Bienvenu, liked to say that her children were born with printers’ ink in their blood.

The author began her memoir as a way of capturing her unique history and experiences growing up in a small southern town for her children and grandchildren. Soon the book took on a life of its own, and today it has brought pleasure and insights to countless people who can relate to the story of love, growth, adventure, and wisdom.

Melanie is a retired social worker, mother of three successful children and has four amazing grandchildren. She lives with her husband, Dr. William Grossman, in San Francisco, CA where she is President of the Older Women’s League-SF and advocates for women’s causes.