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Sue Cushing, Vice-President, International Public Affairs Verizon Communications
Washington, September 7.
As a featured speaker at the ILN literacy event at the Smithsonian, September 7, Sue Cusing of Verizon Communications highlighted Verizon's long-term commitment to the literacy cause, including being the sole corporate member of the ILN. Verizon Communications is a co-sponsor of America's Literacy Directory, an Internet-based resource for the nation, and, a sponsor of the ILN national literacy campaign launch.

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Presentation of $195,000 check from Verizon Communications to the International Literacy
Network (ILN)
Washington, September 7.
Sue Cushing, Vice-President, International Public Affairs, presents a check for $195,000 to Ron Pugsley and Dr. Donna Ogle representing the International Literacy Network. The money will be used to support a new national literacy campaign that features three powerful PSA's keyed to inform America about aspects of the literacy problem throughout the United States.

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Big Boost for Literacy
Washington, September 7.
Perched on a giant Wear-Dated™ wing chair, Sheryl Swoopes, MVP of the WNBA, read to children from the Smithsonian's Children's Development School with the help of Theo, star of PBS's "Between the Lions." Featured at an event held by the International Literacy Network in the Smithsonian, September 7, they were highlighting America's low literacy problems and the launch of a new national literacy campaign by the ILN. This campaign is sponsored by Verizon Communications.

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High Five For Literacy
Washington, September 7.
Perched on a giant Wear-Dated™ wing chair, Sheryl Swoopes, MVP of the WNBA, "high fives" children from the Smithsonian's Children's Development School after telling them a story with the help of Theo, star of PBS's "Between the Lions." Featured at an event held by the International Literacy Network in the Smithsonian, September 7, they were highlighting America's low literacy problems and the launch of a new national literacy campaign by the ILN. This campaign is sponsored by Verizon Communications.

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Sandra Johnson, A newly Literate Adult, Speaks on behalf of the International
Literacy Network and its new National Literacy Campaign at an ILN event
Washington, September 7.
Sandra Johnson is a 37-year old high-school dropout who learned to read as an adult. "For years I hid my reading problem from even my family." Johnson told the assemblage. "At the hospital where I worked as a housekeeper, I couldn't read the schedule, so, I figured out my assignments by asking other people about their schedules. When I had to go to the doctor, I would put a brace on my wrist, claim I couldn't write because of it, and get someone else to fill out the forms." Johnson finally enrolled in a course run by the Washington Literacy Council and went three times a week for three years. Now she goes to GED courses four times a week. She often speaks to teacher groups about her experiences in school and the methods that worked for her in learning to read."