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On May 21, Literacy Partners Annual "Evening of
Readings" Gala met and exceeded fundraising goals, earning
over
$1 million to fight adult illiteracy, thanks to the generous
support of New York philanthropic and community leaders and
headliners from the worlds of television, film, fashion,
design and media. Additionally, Dow Jones & Company showed
their support by matching $100,000 of funds raised during
the evening's Humanitarian Auction.
Chaired by celebrated New Yorkers Alina Cho, Jackie
Weld Drake, Parker Ladd and Arnold Scaasi, this year's event
featured TV personalities and authors Bill Maher and Jeffrey
Toobin, as well as bestselling author and biographer Sally
Bedell Smith. All celebrity readers shared passages from
their most recent works.
The 2012 Face of Literacy Award was presented to "The Help"
for the enormous impact of the film and how it has inspired
people around the world. Author Kathryn Stockett and
Screenwriter, Director and Executive Producer Tate Taylor
were in attendance to receive the award on behalf of the
Academy Award nominated movie. In addition, Literacy
Partners honored Harold McGraw III, Chairman, President and
CEO at The McGraw-Hill Companies, for his continued
financial support of Literacy Partners? programs, including
his philanthropy and longtime advocacy of the programs
offered at the Henry Street Settlement.
In addition, Literacy Partners honored Harold McGraw
III, Chairman, President and CEO at The McGraw-Hill
Companies, for his continued financial contributions and
longtime advocacy of literacy and the written word. This
support funds Literacy Partners programs at the Henry Street
Settlement as well as an array of financial literacy
workshops reaching thousands of New Yorkers.
During the event, held at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Smith told
guests about the value that Literacy Partners offers to the
city of New York in the hopes of eradicating adult
illiteracy stating, "We are still hoping that one day this
charity will disappear."
Literacy Partners students Doreida Diaz and Charlene
Harper also joined the stars on stage, reading personal
essays explaining the tremendous impact that the
organization has had on their lives. Both shared similar
sentiments such as ?Thanks to Literacy Partners, I am not a
lost person wandering around in this world. I?ve been able
to accomplish something I never have before ? an education.
Throughout the night, many acknowledged the
contribution that Liz Smith has made to the Literacy cause,
and awarded her the LIZZIE Award, for a lifetime of service
with Literacy Partners. Sally Bedell Smith, author of
Elizabeth the Queen: The Life of a Modern Monarch, said, ?I
have long admired Liz for her work on behalf of literacy and
I am honored to pay tribute to the woman who I believe is
the Queen of New York.
Other Gala attendees included: Annette Tapert Allen, Dari
Alexander, Yanna Avis, Barbara Taylor and Robert Bradford,
Peter Brown, Carol Higgins Clark, Gina Centrello, Anderson
Cooper, Cristina Cuomo, Susan Magrino Dunning, Lee and
Vanessa Eastman, Joni Evans, Jane Friedman, Marjorie Reed
and Ellery Gordon, Sharon Hoge, Mark Jackson, Carolyn Reidy,
David Schiff, Jeff Sharp, Lesley Stahl, Judy Taubman, and
Carolina Zapf.
About Literacy Partners
For nearly 40 years, Literacy Partners has helped thousands
of New Yorkers learn the basic reading, writing and math
skills needed to succeed in day-to-day living. Through
successful collaborations with major corporations, community
partners and benefactors, Literacy Partners offers small,
welcoming classes taught by credentialed teachers, supported
by enthusiastic, highly trained, volunteer tutors. Literacy
Partners is the only nationally accredited adult literacy
program serving New York City. For more information, visit
www.literacypartners.org .
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