Syracuse’s Ruth Colvin, literacy pioneer, dead at 107

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — Ruth Colvin, a pioneer of literacy education, died on Sunday, August 19, 2024, at the age of 107.

In 1962, Colvin started the Literacy Volunteers of America at her home in Syracuse when she learned that 11,000 people in Onondaga County were functionally illiterate. It then grew into ProLiteracy, a worldwide literacy program still based in Syracuse.

Colvin also went on to teach literacy programs in 62 countries, despite having no prior experience as a teacher or non-profit leader.

Her efforts and accomplishments were honored in 2006 by President George W. Bush as she was presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Colvin also authored 12 books during her last time, including her last one which she wrote at 104, a memoir of her life titled “My Travels through Life, Love and Literacy: A Journey Over 100 Years in the Making.”

Colvin was married to her husband, Bob, for 73 years. He died in 2014.

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