The mother of Trevor, and a major character in the memoir is described as a rebellious socially progressive activist. Noah's mother was a deeply religious woman and typically spent Sunday attending three different services, one each at a primarily Black, primarily White, and mixed church. Refusing to be swayed from her goal of attending church, Noah's mother decides to travel using the minibus system, a transit system established by Blacks who were forbidden from accessing regular public transit. Noah reflects on how his mother responded to his rebellious nature by being firm and no-nonsense, and because of this relationship, he didn't challenge her plan even though he was unhappy about traveling by minibus.