GIFT OF LITERACY

Over the years that MARY JANE N. HENDER, Ed. D., spent teaching students from preschool to master’s level she noticed one glaring issue that she was determined to remedy— the disparity in students’ literacy opportunities depended on the community in which they lived. From this experience and insight, she developed and co-founded Reading Power Inc., a one-to-one literacy tutoring nonprofit. Reading Power completed its 20th year of high-dosage, individual literacy tutoring in May—giving nearly 5,000 children, now successful readers and writers, the priceless gift of literacy.

What does the idea of power mean to you? Power is having the ability to create change.

How should women support other women? Women are the backbone of our families, communities, and society. When women have shared interests and goals, they have a basis for collaboration. When we work together, women can create great change in the world.

What are you most proud of doing? Founding Reading Power has been one of the greatest joys of my life. Watching others ignited by its possibilities and, thus, carrying it on has been the icing on the cake. We continue expanding to serve more students in need. This academic year alone, we are expanding into two new districts and four new schools, doubling our volunteer tutor base to serve more students. The expansion is a testament to our highly successful program and its remarkable results.

How can this generation of leaders support the next generation of leaders? Ensuring connection, empathy, and community is key. The volunteer tutors at Reading Power spend time one-to-one with our students each week. The individual attention and praise ignites the students’ love of learning, providing them with the power to become the next generation of leaders. We often say, tutor one child, change two lives because it’s true. You get what you give.

For more information, visit readingpowerinc.org.