JLW Hosts Readers to Leaders Free Adult Literacy Event

By Elizabeth Fleischer

As part of the Junior League of Washington’s (JLW) year-long celebration of literacy as our focus area, JLW hosted an adult literacy fair, Empowering Women Through Literacy. This free professional development event was designed to equip Washington, DC-area women with the tools needed to thrive at home, at work, and throughout their lives.

This year, JLW is celebrating the 20th anniversary of focusing its volunteer efforts and financial resources on improving literacy in the Washington, DC, area. Branded as Readers2Leaders, this campaign will include a series of fairs throughout the year to commemorate this milestone.

The three Readers2Leaders literacy fairs will bring members of the DC community together with a number of nonprofit partners to recognize the value On October 19, JLW volunteers held the first Readers2Leaders literacy fair of the year at the of literacy and share resources, tools, and University of the District of Columbia, focused on “empowering women through literacy trainings, improving the literacy skills of attendees. The first literacy fair, held on October 19, 2019 featured The event also featured several JLW partners, as well as other orgamotivational TED-style talks, group workshops, and exhibitions, all nizations in the community who focus on literacy. The fair featured focused on helping DC women achieve success through different organizations focused on bringing critical learning and resources to types of literacy, including workplace, financial, nutritional, and digunderserved communities, such as Edu-Futuro and the Latino Ecoital. Resume writing and interview skills were among the additional nomic Development Center. The event also showcased those using offerings. While the fair’s programming was targeted at women, all training and education—for which literacy is a critical skill—to help were welcome and admission was free. fight poverty, such as Together We Bake.

The fair took place at the University of the District of ColumIf you were unable to attend the fair this fall, JLW will host two bia. There were some incredible speakers, including a breadth of additional Readers2Leaders events in 2020, including a signature subject-matter experts. Professionals from the Consumer Financial event, tentatively scheduled for February 1, and another focused Protection Bureau spoke about financial literacy. JLW Member and on children and families in April. The signature event will bring nutritionist, Kelly Morgan, discussed healthy eating habits. There was together hundreds of people from across the Washington, DC, area even a “breathing break” with SoulCycle instructor Kathleen Kulikowto celebrate the great work of community organizations focused on ski. More than 50 JLW women volunteered to support the event. improving literacy in our region. •