Ruth Johnson Colvin
Personal Information
Born: 1916
Country of Birth: USA
Nationality: USA
Ethnicity: White
Education
Thornton Junior College (now South Suburban College) AA 1936; attended classes (mostly business) at Moser Business College & Northwestern University; Syracuse University BS Business 1959
" “If you believe in your idea, you go from there. If you do it with love, it will work out.” (womenofthehall.org); “There are many ways to be educated, to get knowledge and wisdom as well as specific skills,” (womenofthehall.org); “My grandmother came from Sweden and someone taught her. I can pay that back by teaching someone else.” (cny55.com); “I’ve made many mistakes, but I’ve learned from them and I’ve learned by my successes as well,” Colvin said. “Find an unmet need. There are many with health, children, now with the virus. It’s endless. You don’t need to have that kind of background if you do research. People sometimes talk with me and learn I’m 103 and they say, ‘If she can do it, I can do it.’” (cny55.com); “Maintain your emotional health by forgiving and helping others,” she said. “You need love, trust and forgiveness. Unless you have those attitudes, that will make a big difference.” cny55.com); “Because I’m teaching, I make friends,” she said. “If you have a purpose after you retire, you’ll keep going. To keep yourself going, you must keep opening doors.” (cny55.com); “I had no money,” Colvin confessed. “I didn’t have an office. My storage was down in my basement. I used a broken refrigerator as my book shelf.” (umcmission.org); "
— Ruth Johnson Colvin
Professional Life
Field of Study: Education Literacy
Institution/Corporation: ProLiteracy Worldwide; The National Coalition for Literacy
Degrees & Memberships: holds 9 Honorary Degrees including: Syracuse University and Le Moyne College (2018); Member: Kappa Delta, Lifetime Member Board of Directors Literacy Volunteers of America, Board of Directors Syracuse Boy's Club, Board of Directors Consolidated Industries, Volunteers of Greater Syracuse
Awards & Achievements
Awards: 2006 Presidential Medal of Freedom; 1987 President's Volunteer Action Award; Women's Day National Award; International Center Goodwill ambassador Award; Rotarian International Harris Fellow; NE Synod Presbyterian Ecumenical Award; LVA President's Special Service Award; 1993 National Women's Hall of Fame; Kappa Delta's Hall of Honor; Women's Hall of Fame Seneca, NY; 2016 honored as a Women of Distinction New York; 2023 Distinguished Alumnus Award, Illinois Community College Trustees
Achievements: founder of the non-profit organization Literacy Volunteers of America (LVA), now called ProLiteracy Worldwide in Syracuse, New York, in 1962; developed numerous training manuals for literacy with 1st 2 being "Tutor" (still used today & in 8th edition) & "I Speak English" both considered authoritative sources today; 1974 created "English as a Second Language" training program & a new reading series for learners; published "Students Involvement Guidelines" to encourage student involvement in all aspects of literacy program
became interested in literacy after reading 1960 census report that over 11,ooo people in Syracuse were illiterate
worked with reading specialists at Syracuse University to develop materials to train volunteer tutors
the 1st tutors to complete the tutor training were members of church women's groups
1991-2001 helped develop & set up the only literacy program in Swaziland
trained members of the Rotary Club of Zambia to set up "Readers are Leaders in Zambia" fund
started literacy programs in Madagascar & Papua New Guinea, one used Tok Pisin a form of Pidgin English
in China she trained teachers to incorporate conversational English in their classes
in Cambodia taught 10 women to read & they in turn taught 103 village women
has published numerous books, mostly on training & literacy but has written 1 memoir, 1 on her travels, 1 on golf & 1 children's bood
has worked on literacy in over 60 countries
has received 29 awards & honors for her literacy efforts around the globe
in 2020 at age 103 was still living independently, walked 2000 steps daily with the assistance of a cane, exercised at least 3 times weekly & played at least 9 holes of golf
father died when she was 12 & his brother was then in charge of the money he left for his children's education but when she was ready to attend college her uncle refused to provide funds because she "was just a girl"
was married to her husband for 73 years before he died in 2014 at age 99
after her husband retired at 58 they would spend at least 3 months of every year traveling to different countries (26 total) & taught others to teach adult literacy with Global Ministries paying their expenses
2010 the Ruth J. Colvin Center was created to help Central New Yorkers with limited literacy skills
most of the proceeds from her books are donated to ProLiteracy & the Onondaga Historical Association
is known as "The Mother of Literacy"