Lou Ann Bessinger recently retired December 2003, as the Community Development Block Grant Manager at Ogden Weber Community Action Program in Ogden, Utah. She served over twenty years assisting low-income citizens in Weber County. For four years, Lou Ann met with Ogden City School District to develop a partnership for GED and ESL courses. The program developed into over 300 participants being enrolled with free childcare provided to participants. Hundreds of citizens benefited from her long and tiring hours supervising morning, afternoon, and evening classes. If anyone has impacted literacy in Weber County, it is Lou Ann Bessinger and her unending love for helping people better their life situation.

The Utah Humanities Council implemented Motheread/Fatheread Utah in 1996. During the past 18 months, over 120 Head Start and Even Start staff have been certified in the program. Under the direction of Ms. Buckingham, families are being served in 24 counties in Utah. Motheread/Fatheread is a nationally recognized, award winning family literacy program. Motheread builds parenting, critical thinking, and literacy skills; improves family communication and promotes reading and story sharing in the home. Through reading and discussion of excellent, multi-cultural children's literature, parents are encouraged to use their imaginations to connect universal themes, values and ideas to their own lives and families.

Nancy Conway is the first woman editor in the Salt Lake Tribune's 132-year history. Ms. Conway is a native of Massachusetts who received her degree at the University of Massachusetts and did her graduate work in Education. Ms. Conway was a medical technician, Peace Corp volunteer and high school teacher before getting started in the newspaper industry. She began by writing calendar listings at the Daily Hampshire Gazette, Northampton, and Massachusetts in 1976. Since then, Ms. Conway has been a reporter and editor in Massachusetts, Florida, Pennsylvania, Denver, and Oakland. Ms. Conway has two daughters, Analucia and Kara and a 10-year-old grandson, Cheyenne.

Ms. Franco has been teaching at the Utah School for the Deaf for over 26 years. She has her master's degree in Special Education and recently went back to school to obtain a Reading Endorsement. Chris is passionate about her work and is strongly committed to the development of literacy skills for hearing-impaired students. She developed take home book packets with activities called the Family Talk Book Bag. She created the project because it is designed to help hearing-impaired children learn to read and to love it. For children who are deaf or hearing-impaired, it lets them see the English language in its entirety while allowing them to enjoy stories and learn interesting facts.

Dr. Patricia Gardner taught children's and adolescent literature for almost three decades. As chair of the English Department at Utah State University, she developed a master's degree for public school teachers for which literacy courses constituted the major requirements. Dr. Gardner served on the Women's Center Board and Status of Women Committee at USU, has been a member of the Logan Library Board of Directors, and has worked with the local literacy program. Her contributions to the field of literacy span a diverse group of recipients over a long time. Originally from Cedar City, she earned her Doctorate at Idaho State University.

Merilyn Hesleph became a driving force in Salt Lake City creating one of three statewide Early Reading Programs. The inception began in 1996 at Calvary Baptist Church. The emphasis focuses on early reading development for ages 18 months to older adults. The program is a beacon in the community and has increased its outreach by helping youth and adults improve reading levels. Merilyn actively recruits volunteers, funding, and the tools needed to administer the Program. Merilyn saw a need and developed the vision to ensure that any child or adult would have a better than even playing field when entering school, the community, or the work force. Merilyn instills a pride among youth and adults who now are excelling. When we look at the impact of this program, it has provided 87,600 hours of assistance in reading, because Merilyn saw the need.

Joyce P. Valdez, Chair of the Utah Women's Commission,
with Governor Walker

Tawnya Johnson (no picture) graduated from Brigham Young University in 1977 with a master's degree in Speech Pathology. Those who have worked with and observed Tawnya have gotten a rare perspective of this outstanding woman. Tawnya has specialized in teaching pre-school through 6th grade and has given many years to teaching part time in high school as well. As a speech- language pathologist, Tawnya is crucial to the literacy development of students who may be struggling with language development; both expressive and receptive. Tawnya makes her therapy instruction enjoyable; her students arrive eagerly and want to stay longer. They perceive their time with her as fun. Instead of drills, she achieves her objectives with imagination, art, games, and drama. They genuinely feel her love and concern. Tawnya has endured serious health problems. During a year of chemotherapy and radiation, the number of days she was absent from her students could be counted on one hand. Even though her health was failing and her energy reduced, she met her students with dedication, a positive attitude, laughter and love. She is a rare educator who has made a critical difference in the development of countless children.

Elaine exemplifies the importance of literacy! Her autistic great-granddaughter comes to Elaine's home each school day for lunch and reading time. Elaine taught school before marriage. With the birth of her children, Elaine concentrated on creating a home filled with love and learning for her children and their friends. She taught three daughters to teach literacy professionally and within their families. After retirement, she was recruited to return to the classroom to help second graders improve their reading skills. In her seventies, a group of mothers successfully coaxed her to teach their cooperative nursery school. Throughout her life Elaine has invited small groups of neighborhood children into her home for Christmas parties where she taught them to make crafts, prepare creative refreshments, and enjoy story time. This tradition continues with grandchildren and great-grandchildren.