RUTH JOHNSON COLVIN

There are some lives that truly inspire. I recently read a story about this woman:

Ruth Johnson Colvin (1916-2024) She died last August, she was 107 years old. She started Literacy Volunteers of America, now called ProLiteracy Worldwide in Syracuse, New York, in 1962. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush in December 2006.

Colvin became aware of the problem of illiteracy in her hometown of Syracuse when the 1960 census reports were released and in 1962 she learned that the city had over 11,000 people functioning at the lowest level of literacy. Always an avid reader herself, she worked with reading specialists at Syracuse University and developed materials to train volunteer tutors various motivation and instruction techniques. She developed two tutor-training manuals. The first tutors who completed the program were from Colvin’s church women’s group.

In 1974, she created the English as a Second Language training program as well as a new reading series for learners. During the next few years she helped found The National Coalition for Literacy to increase public awareness of illiteracy. The organization currently has 330 programs in 42 states with over 100,000 volunteers and students. The non-profit works in conjunction with correctional facilities, adult educational programs, libraries, universities, community service programs and industry.

ProLiteracy Worldwide was formed when Laubach Literacy International and Literacy Volunteers of America, Inc. merged in 2002. Laubach Literacy International’s history begins in 1930, when Dr. Frank C. Laubach was a missionary among the Maranao people of the Philippines. His concern about their poor living conditions led him to conclude that the ability to read and write was essential for them to begin to solve their problems. As the Maranaos learned to read, they would, in turn, teach other adults on a one-to-one basis that became known as “Each One Teach One.” From 1935 to 1967, Dr. Laubach visited 105 countries answering calls for literacy help and created reading lessons in 315 languages. He founded Laubach Literacy International in Syracuse in 1955. (Wikipedia)

What a blessing! Ruth Johnson Colvin and Dr. Frank Laubach. Thank you, Kingdom people.

“In everything, therefore, treat people the same way
you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets” Jesus