Possessing the ability to read and write is fundamental. It makes learning possible, inevitable and infinite. For this reason, fostering literacy has long been a priority of the Maryland Federation of Republican Women, and several literacy programs have been developed to achieve this goal.
Over the past 50 years, the MFRW and its members have donated hundreds of books each year to libraries, schools, hospitals and other public institutions through our Mamie Eisenhower Library Project (MELP). Since 2002, Federation members across the country have donated more than 300,000 dictionaries to school children through the Dictionary Project.
The MFRW has designated September as Literacy Month. Working in concert with the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, the MFRW asks Republican women’s clubs to participate by sharing the community literacy projects they have sponsored in the past year. Suggested activities and projects are provided by the MFRW Literacy Committee.
With our commitment to literacy, we have adopted education as one of our primary issue focuses. Our goal is to improve public education and literacy by advocating grassroots support for education reform and taking direct action to improve literacy. We use our network of members to promote high standards, accountability, flexibility, local control of schools, and early reading initiatives.
Whether donating a book, volunteering to mentor or read to children, or acting as a literacy/education advocate, each of us has something of value to contribute to the literacy effort. By continuing to work together on this critical issue, we can ensure an educated citizenry of the future.