Why a Mother’s Literacy Matters

Written by Terry Witherell, Executive Director, First Literacy

Dania, First Literacy Scholar, pictured with her three daughters at her graduation from Somerville Center for Adult Learning Experience.

May is a gorgeous time of year in Boston. Everything is in bloom! What a great month to celebrate Mother’s Day- not just the mothers who gave birth to us, but to honor all those who have mothered us in our lives.

At First Literacy, our mission is to help adult learners improve their literacy skills. Many of those adults are mothers; and so the help we provide to these adults impacts the next generation, as well. We often hear that people support childhood literacy, rather than adult literacy. Of course, it is essential that we educate the next generation. But did you know that “a mother’s reading skill is the greatest determinant of her children’s future academic success, outweighing other factors, such as neighborhood and family income”? (National Institutes of Health) Thus, our support of mothers has a positive impact on their children, as well.

The One Million Word Gap

One of the greatest joys for a mother is being able to read to their child. Can you imagine not being able to read, and as a result being robbed of that joy? Not only do the parent and the child miss out on this wonderful bonding time, but the child is negatively impacted for the rest of their lives. The result is known as the “One Million Word Gap”. Researchers have shown that children who are read five books a day, start kindergarten knowing 1.4 million more words than their classmates who were not read to (Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics). How does a child ever catch up from that kind of disadvantage?

In honor of Mother’s Day, we reached out to some of our scholarship recipients who are mothers. Since 1990, First Literacy has awarded over 600 scholarships to adult learners who are going on to community college or vocational training. Without First Literacy’s support, most of these adults would not be able to realize their dreams.

Two Mother’s Stories

Dania is the first in her family to attend college. Both her mother and father are unable to read and write, so going to college has always been a goal of hers. Being a single mom with three girls, she’s faced numerous challenges, but her dedication to achieving her goals remains unwavering. Despite the difficulties of finding a job after being a full-time mom, Dania’s determination and her girls’ support keep her strong.

Kherrina, First Literacy Scholar, pictured with her daughter at her High School graduation.

Kherrina is from Kingston, Jamaica – a city known for its vibrant night life and severe economic hardship. Her childhood was not easy. She grew up in a toxic environment, but still managed to be an exemplary student. Her hard work paid off, and she was placed in one of the top schools in her area. She eventually enrolled in college and did her best to juggle work, school, and parenting. During her second year of college, the father of her daughter was tragically murdered, forcing Kherrina to put her college education on hold. In 2015 she decided to move with her daughter to the United States in search of a better life. Kherrina is graduating this month from Southern New Hampshire University, with a bachelor’s degree in communications. She plans to pursue a career in mass media.

Inspiration from and for the Next Generation

We recently spoke with Dania and Kherrina about the impact education has had on their life and the lives of their children.

How have your children influenced your decision to further your education?

Dania: My children are my powerful motivators for furthering my education. I wanted to set a good example for them, demonstrating the value of education so they can choose a higher education level in their lives. And of course, I wanted to be financially stable to provide my children a better standard of living.

Kherrina: As a single mother, I was motivated to pursue higher education to create better opportunities for myself and my daughter’s future. I wanted her to see a mother she would be proud to emulate and therefore strive to accomplish any dream her mind can perceive despite obstacles that may seem insurmountable. Apart from my professional development, I wanted to demonstrate to her that her goals can be realized through hard work, perseverance, and dedication. 

How has your education had a positive impact on your children?

Dania: After I discovered that I am my girls’ role model and they copied me in every move, I decided to use that to improve their lifestyle, education, and goals. After I started my educational path, I noticed that my girls are talking more about their goals, college choices, and careers. Most importantly they are more than ever confident while talking to me and asking me for help with their homework.  

Kherrina: The greatest impact my educational journey has had on my daughter is inspiring her to embark on her own educational journey, striving to not just acquire a job, but instead a career and maximize her full potential.

Setting Children Up for a Future of Academic Success

There is an old expression that says that children aren’t listening to what you say, because they are busy watching what you are doing. Thank you to Dania and Kherrina, and all of the other mothers and mothering people in our world, who are showing children what education and persevering through adversity can do for your life and the lives of those around you!

If you would like to honor someone this Mother’s Day, you can donate to First Literacy, and where it says “Write a Note”, you can include the name(s) of those you are honoring. Each person’s name will be proudly displayed on our website.

Thank you to our mothers!