“Freedom Through Literacy”
Est. 2010 in memory of Judith F. Krug
Pamela Laskin, author, New York City for her project, “Diversity and Differently-Abled.” Two-time Freedom Through Literacy Award winner, Laskin has completed a series of picture books that capture the world of those who are differently-abled; in particular, those without speech, and what it means in a family. She reads these books aloud in public school classrooms with the goal to educate a mainstream audience.
Evangelia Ritzaleou, award-winning high school teacher, Drama, Greece for her project, “School Reading and Creative Writing Club.” Evangelia knows what she is talking about when she documents the effects of book clubs on kids — she has, after all, headed up a Reading and Creative Writing Club at her school for 15 years.
Colin Bloom, 16-year-old New York City high school student and founder of a literacy nonprofit for his project, “Creating a Library for Literacy at the Senianya Primary School in Mpumalanga, South Africa.” Colin is a standout on multiple levels: as a teenager, he established a nonprofit, Libraries for Literacy, has dedicated two libraries in impoverished rural South Africa, has assertively insinuated himself into partnerships with global entities, and has shown tenacity, drive, entrepreneurship, compassion and a desire to learn and improve from each experience.
Victor Owuor, after-school program coordinator, the Sunflower Trust, Nairobi, Kenya for his project, “Pathway to Alternative Learning Education (PALE).” As World Literacy Ambassador since 2022 representing Kenya, Victor understands what it means when one lacks resources to attend school: He was born and bred in the informal settlement of Kibera slum, Nairobi. Sunflower Trust works in partnership with community schools to identify girls, in the fifth grade, who are at risk of ending their education early and transitions them to the after-school, part-time PALE program.
Board Option Award – $200 Dr. Lisette Caesar – “Book Vending Machine” EAST HARLEM, NEW YORK A Judith’s Reading Room Honorable Mention awardee in 2021, Lisette Caesar is recognized with a Board Option Award for her unrelenting optimism and passion to build a reading culture during her tenure as principal at Mosaic Prep Academy. Her…
Board Option Award – $200 Lisa Tedeschi Vergara – “Literacy Through Art of the Book” NEEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS Walk into a place that Lisa Tedeschi Vergara’s work has touched, and you’ll understand why we have given her a Board Option Award. Her beautifully crafted decoupage book-themed chairs, commissioned for public spaces, give children the chance to…
Board Option Award – $200 Jennifer Williams – “Second Chance Book Club” DANVILLE, VIRGINIA Back in 2019, Jennifer Williams founded the Second Chance Book Club with the goal of spreading the love of reading and getting books into the hands of people in need; in this case, incarcerated women at the Danville City Jail. Since…
Board Option Award – $200 Pamela Laskin – “Poetry at the Border” NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK Pamela Laskin, a lecturer at City College, established “Poetry at the Border” to encourage children whose families are seeking asylum to write poetry about their experiences. Poetry enables children to understand trauma following horrible events like hurricanes (Puerto…
Board Option Award – $200 Lisa Gerard – “Little Read Wagon” NORMAN, OKLAHOMA No matter where you look in Norman, Oklahoma, you’re likely to find Lisa Gerard and her Little Read Wagon. Gerard has offered free books at community free events, establishes “libraries” in laundromats and hides books in 65 public parks. For her efforts,…
Finally, Honorable Mention Awards (no cash award) are given to those applicants who the judges want to acknowledge and think deserve encouragement. The idea behind the Honorable Mention Awards is to propel the applicants to continue their literacy efforts and to apply for future Freedom Through Literacy Awards. Toti Jean Marc Yale – “Reading First”…