Meridian Hill
The protagonist and namesake of the novel, Meridian is an African-American woman who grows up during the civil rights movement. Throughout her life, she grapples with questions of motherhood, revolution, and humanity.
Truman Held
Truman is an African-American man who is deeply involved in the civil rights movement in his youth. He marries a white woman named Lynne, but he is love with Meridian throughout the book.
Lynne Rabinowitz
Lynne is a white woman who is an exchange student at Saxon, working in the civil rights movement. She marries Truman, although they ultimately divorce.
Anne-Marion Coles
Anne-Marion is Meridian's best friend in college.
Tommy Odds
Tommy Odds is Truman's friend, who loses his arm when he is shot at by white men. He rapes Lynne.
Camara
Truman and Lynne's daughter, who is ultimately murdered.
Nelda Henderson
Meridian's childhood friend.
Feather Mae
Meridian's great-great-grandmother.
Miss Winter
An organist at Saxon College.
Delores Jones
A civil rights worker who accompanies Meridian when Meridian tells her mother that she is going to college.
