WIN: Sunday Round Up (Repost)
With the kind permission of the incredible Women’s Impact Network (WIN) of New Hanover County, we are reposting this wonderful write up from March 2, 2025.
Literacy is a national issue—54 percent of adults are illiterate, reading below a sixth-grade level, according to Cape Fear Literacy Council (CFLC), a WIN grantee. Book Club members viewed the documentary The Truth About Reading and met with CFLC staff to discuss the goals and challenges for the organization in the upcoming year. Education Circle members also joined the group.
In watching the film, the group was struck by the frustrations in how reading is taught in schools and how students are passed along from one grade to the next without appropriate skills.
“As I watched the documentary and listened to CFLC staff during our visit, I was reminded of a poster that hung on the wall of my college freshman English teacher’s classroom,” says Kay Dougherty. “There was a quote by Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General of the United Nations that said, ‘Literacy is THE BRIDGE from misery to hope.’ Everything I heard from watching the documentary to listening to the conversation at CFLC brought back those words in a most meaningful and profound way.”
The Truth About Reading challenges perceptions of who is illiterate and beliefs about education. The film’s interviews with adults learning to read reveal their emotional struggles and the fear and shame in a world that equates literacy with intelligence and success. Filmmaker Nick Nanton noted, “I wanted to shine a light on this issue and start a conversation.” Book Club and Education Circle members agree he accomplished that.
No magic bullet to resolve
The film presents myriad issues in education but shies away from offering a solution or even giving a clear answer on which method is best. The lack of an answer reminded Book Club Chair Dana Jaunzemis of the earlier Book Club discussion of Superman’s Not Coming by Erin Brockovich.
“There is no magic bullet to solve our literacy problem just as we can’t do one thing to clean our water or stop climate change,” Dana comments. “The responsibility is on each of us to get involved in the things that matter by volunteering, supporting, and donating to make one life better. As WIN members, we all want to align with organizations that choose to be a light; they don’t sit down in the crisis, they rise up to help one person at a time.”
CFLC staff meet local needs
The group was struck by the knowledge, dedication, and passion of CFLC staff. “They are a resource for any adult who wants to learn in New Hanover County. They teach adults to read with dignity and respect; they don’t want to hold them to the same testing standards that have already failed them,” says Dana.
Staff offered examples of how they work to meet students where they are to accomplish the goal that is important to them, like reading a story to a grandchild, reading a prescription bottle, or getting their General Education Development (GED) or citizenship.
Members as agents of change
Kristine Moore adds, “After watching the film and hearing from the talented, committed CFLC team about local opportunities and challenges, I have even deeper respect for CFLC’s mission and accomplishments. Learning about their aspirations to expand capacity and build in greater flexibility to tailor services— addressing modern literacy requirements that most of us take for granted — was both humbling and inspiring.
“I’m proud that WIN has supported CFLC and that so many members donate time/talent/treasure. They have my personal support and will be seeing more of it, starting with a sponsored table at the CFLC Spring luncheon, with seats open to other interested WIN members.”
Book Club and Education Circle members offered a special thanks to Yasmin Tomkinson, CFLC Executive Director and WIN member, and her team for inviting the group to gather for the discussion, providing insight, and allowing them to contribute ideas and support. “WIN is an ideal community for thoughtful discussions about education and nonprofit,” Yasmin noted. “Our staff learned so much from our conversation with the Book Club; we are grateful for the wisdom, perspectives, and support CFLC gets from such engaged agents of change.”
