Author Dawn Tripp, whose novels include the fictionalized biographies “Jackie” and “Georgia,” was the guest speaker at this year’s Love of Literacy Luncheon at the Bent Pine Golf Club.
The fundraiser supported Literacy Services of Indian River County, whose volunteer tutors provide free individual and small group tutoring to adults seeking English language and literacy skills. Tutors are matched with students based on abilities, areas of focus and schedules.
In her welcome address, board president JoAnn Hitt said during the 2024-25 fiscal year, 207 tutors worked to improve the reading, writing and communication skills of 416 students. Study is individualized, such as working to obtain GEDs, pass professional exams or pass the now English-only Florida driving test.
Additionally, Hitt recognized six students who had successfully passed the rigorous U.S. Citizenship exam.
Valerie Kines, LSIRC executive director, said 32 percent of county residents experience low or very low literacy skills, which can range from the inability to read a menu or road sign to communicating with healthcare providers or educators.
Citing their exceptional commitment and achievements, Elida Gomez, LSIRC program manager, named Patricia Jefferson as Literacy Student of the Year and Lucia Garcia as ESL Student of the Year. They were each presented with Sunrise Rotary Scholarship Awards by Rotary member Wendy Orthober.
“I have never known a student who worked as hard as she does,” said Allan Ramsay, who tutored Jefferson, primarily in math.
Jefferson, who moved to America as a child from Jamaica and owns a licensed assisted living facility, said the assistance helped her obtain U.S. citizenship, supported her business, and contributed to her four children attaining A/B Honor Roll status.
“Your commitment helped to shape me into the woman I am today; a dedicated wife, a proud mother, and a successful business owner,” said Jefferson.
Garcia, who moved from Mexico, was tutored by Marilyn Gartner and said it has helped her to better connect with her daughter’s school.
“Now I can communicate with her teachers and support her learning. It has also helped me at work, and I can speak to and understand customers in restaurants and stores,” said Garcia.
Lauren Michaels, a board member and tutor, led a varied discussion with Tripp, starting with “Jackie,” a novel about Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, which Michaels said presented a fresh perspective of the woman.
The inspiration for the book, Tripp said, occurred some 17 years ago. She was at a bookstore with her young son who chose the book, “The Best Love Poems of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.”
It was a collection of poems selected and edited by her daughter, Caroline, who had also written an introduction that spoke of Jackie’s integrity, romantic spirit and passion for adventure.
Tripp said reading it led her to want to research: “Who was Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis underneath the woman we think we see?”
Likewise, she said “Georgia,” focused on Georgia O’Keeffe in 1920s New York, speaks to another vastly underestimated woman with “unbelievable integrity” and “incredible drive.” In it, Tripp explores the power struggles, gender dynamics and gender politics that, even today, contribute to the critical assessment and interpretation of her art.
Speaking more generally, Tripp suggested that literacy was a passion shared by everyone at the luncheon.
“Literacy is about fluency and about power. It is the power to find your voice; it is about having access to information. I feel like reading is such a source of power,” said Tripp.
“It’s not just a source of access to the world; it’s a source of access to vision and to imagination.
Not just to the world as it is, but to what you can do in the world and how you can change the world. And that matters.”
Volunteer tutors dedicate just two hours per week and are always needed. Teaching experience is not necessary; training and support is provided.
For more information, visit LiteracyServicesIRC.org.
Photos by Joshua Kodis
