On September 8th, Project Read hosted a ceremony for International
Literacy Day outside the Larkin Street entrance of the Main Library.
The event was co-sponsored by KQED and BALit (Bay Area Literacy).
Master of Ceremonies Michael Krasny of KQED
displayed his charismatic charm. Seth Steward, Special Asistant to the
Mayor, read a proclamation from Mayor Brown making the day “Literacy Day
in San Francisco.” KQED Chief Operating Officer John Boland spoke of the
importance of supporting literacy.
Adult learners from around the Bay Area described their individual
journeys toward increasing literacy and building self-confidence, which
left the audience deeply moved. Pearl Brown and Cornell James represented
Project Read from the San Francisco Public Library.
To add to the celebration, a representative
of Dreyer’s Ice Cream arrived in a vintage ice cream truck and gave free
cups of ice cream to anyone who wanted one.
International Literacy Day was first
designated in 1966 by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific,
and Cultural Organization) to call attention to the global fight
against illiteracy, a central mission of this organization.
All photos by Project Read except where noted.
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