Born on October 3, 1873 to Charles Edward and Mary Frances Pindell, Geraldine was educated in the Everett, Massachusetts Public Schools. After graduation, “Deenie” (Geraldine) attended a business college. Geraldine worked as an accountant for the Eli Cooley Company.
Geraldine was an acquaintance of W. E. B. Du Bois corresponded with him while he was completing his studies at Harvard. Geraldine married William Monroe Trotter following his graduation from Harvard She had known him since childhood. They moved to 97 Sawyer Avenue in the Dorchester section of Boston..
William became a successful real estate agent. When her husband was jailed for his part in the 1903 Boston Riot, Geraldine took over his editor position of The Boston Guardian. She also worked as its bookkeeper. Later when WIlliam took over the running of the paper, Geraldine wrote articles for the paper on fashion and household management in an effort to increase female readership,
Geraldine worked with St. Monica’s Home which cared for African American women and children. She also became involved with the Boston Public School Association, the Boston Literacy and Historical Society, the Women’s Anti-Lynching League, and the Equal Rights Association.
Geraldine worked for the welfare of African American soldiers in World War I, especially the 519th engineers of Fort Devens.
William Trotter’s view caused them to lose the support of many of their friends. Poor business caused the newspaper to begin to fail. The couple lost their home because of debts. Geraldine remained loyal and supportive of her husband.
Geraldine Pindell Trotter died on October 8, 1918 during the Spanish Flu epidemic. She was forty six years old.