Ruth Johnson Colvin, Founder of Literacy Volunteers, Dies at 107, Leaving Lasting Legacy

Ruth Johnson Colvin, the visionary founder of one of the world's largest volunteer organizations focused on tutoring basic language skills to functionally illiterate individuals, passed away at the age of 107 in Syracuse, N.Y. Her daughter, Lindy Webb, confirmed her death.

In 1961, the middle-aged, college-educated Syracuse homemaker, and mother of two was deeply troubled after discovering that over 11,000 residents of Onondaga County, N.Y., were unable to read or write. Despite lacking teaching experience, Colvin felt a compelling need to address this pressing issue.

Founding Literacy Volunteers

Within a year, after consulting with reading specialists and service agencies, Colvin transformed her basement into an operational office. She began recruiting volunteers from churches, developing training manuals, and forming a small group to reach out to residents, many of whom were immigrants, to provide them with fundamental English skills, paving the way for better job prospects, education, and improved living standards.

The organization faced initial challenges, with only 77 tutors and 100 students by 1967. However, Colvin's unwavering dedication led to the formal chartering of Literacy Volunteers as a nonprofit by New York State. Through her tireless efforts, the organization received federal and private grants, expanded its programs to numerous states, and attained national recognition, eventually rebranding itself as the Literacy Volunteers of America.

Legacy of Impact

Colvin's enduring legacy lies in the thousands of lives transformed through her organization's work, offering pathways to citizenship and improved livelihoods to countless individuals. Her pioneering spirit and commitment to eradicating illiteracy have left an indelible mark on society, and her organization continues to empower individuals through the gift of literacy.