At Arkansas Imagination Library, we are honored to spotlight local partners who are making a profound impact on early childhood literacy. This month, we celebrate the Margaret Fisher Literacy Challenge, a program founded by the Delta Kappa Gamma Sigma Chapter, which has been changing lives in Prairie and Woodruff Counties for two decades.
A Legacy Rooted in Education and Literacy
Since its formation in 1946, the Delta Kappa Gamma Sigma Chapter has been committed to high-quality education and advancing opportunities for women in education. But their passion for learning doesn’t stop in the classroom—their work extends directly to children in their communities, ensuring that every child, regardless of background, has access to books.
Their partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library began in 2004 when MaryAnne Williams, a dedicated educator, introduced the idea. Inspired by her experience as a teacher, she recognized the lifelong impact of early literacy. With initial funding from a memorial donation honoring Margaret Fisher, a beloved high school English teacher, the Margaret Fisher Literacy Challenge was born.
Impacting Thousands of Young Readers
Over the past 20 years, this initiative has mailed over 100,000 books to young children in Prairie and Woodruff Counties. Teachers have seen test scores improve, parents have become more engaged in their children’s learning, and—most importantly—kids are excited to receive their books each month!
The program’s success isn’t just measured in numbers—it’s seen in the joy on children’s faces as they recognize books their teachers also use in class, making literacy a shared experience at home and in school.
A Community-Driven Effort
The Margaret Fisher Literacy Challenge has flourished thanks to the unwavering support of the community. Schools, businesses, and individuals have rallied behind the cause, donating funds, placing registration forms in local hospitals and doctors’ offices, and spreading awareness about the importance of early literacy. Annual fundraising events, collection jars in businesses, and partnerships with local media have helped sustain and expand the program, ensuring that every newborn and new resident in Prairie and Woodruff Counties has access to free books.
Looking Ahead: Continuing the Mission
The Delta Kappa Gamma Sigma Chapter remains dedicated to ensuring every eligible child in Prairie and Woodruff Counties receives books. Their members actively seek out newborns, new residents, and foster children to enroll in the program, ensuring that literacy remains a priority in their communities.
Their mission is simple but powerful: “Learn to Read, Read to Learn, Read to Earn.”
How You Can Help
Want to support this incredible initiative? Spread the word, encourage families to register, or consider making a donation. Every dollar helps provide books that build a brighter future for Arkansas’s children!
For more information, contact MaryAnne Williams at 501-231-7600 or email arbooklady@gmail.com.
Thank you, Margaret Fisher Literacy Challenge, for inspiring generations of readers!