Learn about the importance of literacy with MY HERO's curated multimedia showcase on International Literacy Day. Discover heroes working to increase literacy for a better world.
Credit: Reading in the Garden - painting by September McGee
These heroes are working to improve literacy in their communities and the world.
Sarah Brown, Global Health and Education Hero
By: Abigail Richardson
Dr. Sakena Yacoobi, Hero and ‘Mother of Afghan Education’
By: Abigail Richardson
John Wood
By: David Kemker
John Wood
founded Room to Read, which works to increase literacy and educational gender equality in developing countries.
Roxanne J. Coady
By: Charles F. Harper
Roxanne J. Coady
has a love of books that has enhanced the community and brought literature into the lives of thousands of families.
Zainab Rezai
By: Amanda Molinaro from Irvine
Zainab Rezai leads her community towards progress and has helped more than 200 women become literate.
Yasmine Sherif: Global Educator and Champion for Youth
By: Shannon Luders-Manuel
Yasmine Sherif, who leads Education Cannot Wait, is an activist working for the rights of all children and the winner of MY HERO's 2020 Global Educator Award.
Skye Malik
By: Sue Glader
Skye founded the Paco Project to give dyslexic students in NYC access to Learning Ally technology so they can succeed. (Spanish version link at bottom of page.)
Watch these short films, winners of the MY HERO International Film Festival
Butterfly in the Sky [excerpt]
By: Brett Whitcomb & Bradford Allen
Tells the story of the beloved series "Reading Rainbow," its iconic host LeVar Burton, and the challenges its creators faced in cultivating a love of reading
Inclusion On the Air
By: Eli Canter
Emily Perl Kingsley is a former Sesame Street writer and longtime activist for children with disabilities and their families.
Film
View these short films to be introduced to some amazing heroes who are committed to teaching literacy and working for the right to education for all!
Biblioburro: The Donkey Library
Producer: Valentina Canavesio
Luis Soriano, a teacher in the small town of La Gloria, Colombia, travels on the back of his donkey, bringing with him books for children of the rural communities...
Never Too Old
Produced by:ChangeChitra
"Karthyayani Amma of Cheppad village took up pen for the first time when she was 94 in 2017.
Educate Girls
Produced by:Skoll Foundation
In India, the majority of girls do not complete their primary education. Educate Girls is working to make education more accessible to girls by partnering with public schools, training local champions for girls’ education, and mobilizing communities to help girls achieve their full potential
Pedal=Sight
Produced by:Jacob & Isaac Seigel-Boettner
"Pedal=Sight tells the story of Bharati, a young woman from just outside of Pune, India, who is now able to go to high school – and dream big – because of the bicycle."
Building Heroes
Producer: Skip Blumberg
A community literacy & arts celebration hosted by The New Haven Free Public Library and The Eli Whitney Museum.
Stories from the Christian Science Monitor
Book lover turned literacy advocate looks to change lives ‘one word at a time’
By: David Karas - CSM Correspondent
This program in Nigeria sends children from the streets into the classroom
By: Ogar Monday
Feb. 4, 2025 - Students of the “almajiri” system often lack access to formal schooling. One intervention program instills a love of learning and fosters self-esteem. [CSM Story]
US children are struggling with reading. Can communities help?
By: Jackie Valley
March 31, 2025 - At a time when U.S. students are falling further behind in reading, volunteers in West Virginia are on a mission to reengage them. [CSM Story]
This judge grew up with nothing. Now he makes sure that children have books.
By: Meriem Belhiba
June 10, 2025 - Rural Tunisian communities often lack educational resources. White-collar professionals have launched grassroots libraries to bridge the gap. [CSM Story]
Art
Sequoyah
By: Lithograph based on a painting by Charles Bird King
Sequoyah created the Cherokee writing system, increasing literacy for his people.
Anne Sullivan (1866 - 1936)
By: photographer unknown
Anne Sullivan taught Helen Keller to read using Braille.
Reading in the Garden
By: September McGee
This artwork shows the joys of reading together.
MY HERO Read and Listen Stories
A great way to improve reading skills is to listen and read along to written stories. Each of these MY HERO stories has an audio version which you can click to hear.
