[NLA] (no subject)

[hartman]

At first, when I heard the news of Susan's death the other night, I only
felt sadness.  
 
Then, I started thinking about all the ways that she was a wonderful,
lovely person.  Susan was a natural humorist, a healer and consoler, a
person with insight, a lover of all things Brazillian, and one of the
most gifted writers I have ever known.  She was a great friend.  Susan
did not make you prove you were a friend, she simply adopted you into
her legion of friends and then you could stay or leave.  Few left.  Her
office at NIFL was a magnet for people needing advice, consoling,
friendship, or just a smile.  
 
Yesterday, I was thinking more about Susan's role in the national
literacy movement and at the NIFL.  Susan was very low key about her
role and fended off all attempts at recognition.  But she played a very
important part in the evolution of the field over the past fifteen
years.  I first met Susan when she was presented the Advancement of
Literacy Award by the National Coalition for Literacy.  She had played
an important, if behind the scenes, part in turning Mrs. Bush's interest
in literacy into a series of events and very public demonstrations of
support that were turning points in the late 80's and early 90's.  It
was not widely known, but Susan played an important role in the creation
of the National Literacy Act of 1991.  The NIFL would not have provided
the kind of support for Learning Disabilities without Susan's leadership
on the issue.  Hardly a writen word went out of the place without having
been edited, and improved, by her.  Susan, along with Lynn Reddy, wrote
"From the Margins to the Mainstream."  That document reflects both her
writing prowess and vision for the field.  If the field of adult
literacy had a Hall of Fame, Susan should be a charter member.
 
I am going to miss Susan.  She was truly a unique and special person.
If you did not know Susan or the role she played in our field's
development, believe me, we will all miss her.
 
Andy Hartman
 
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: nla-admin at lists.literacytent.org
[mailto:nla-admin at lists.literacytent.org] On Behalf Of Johnson, Alice
Sent: Thursday, February 28, 2002 12:42 PM
To: 'nla at lists.literacytent.org'
Subject: [NLA] (no subject)
 
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Susan Green,
writer and editor at the Institute and long-time advocate for literacy,
on February 25th.  Susan's career included nearly a decade at the
National Institute for Literacy, 12 years with the Follow Through early
literacy program at the U.S. Department of Education, and several years
on the White House staff of First Lady Barbara Bush.  Mrs. Bush said of
Susan: 
"Susan Green was one of my mentors in literacy.  She was there with me
in the beginning, when few people were really paying attention to
literacy.  She was passionate about it, and would have personally taught
every single man, woman, and child in America how to read if she could
have.  She was a dear friend, a warm and loving person. She will be
missed by me and all who knew her."
A Susan Green Memorial Fund is being established to benefit at VALUE
(Voice of Adult Literacy United for Education).  Susan was a central and
irreplaceable part of the National Institute for Literacy, and is deeply
missed.  
-- Staff of the National Institute for Literacy 
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