Reading Association's history of promoting literacy

The reading association was founded by such persons as Earl Hart, Errol Williams, Brenda Webb, H. Juliette Steede-Harris, Mrs. S. Trott, Winifred Nesbit, at a time when reading was not so well understood; it was thought for the most part at the time, well if you couldn’t read you were just ‘dumb” thus many students were labeled such and any aspirations of reading success was quickly dashed.

Well, the Reading Association’s founders knew this was not so; they saw promise in the eyes of many of their so-called ‘dumb’ students.

They knew that these children must be given the hope they so much deserved and were obligated to. 

They began to bring in presenters to the island to give to local teachers best practices in the area of literacy.

Remember they did this long before we knew of the many literacy approaches there are. 

This was done at a time when money was really, really scarce and the association did not have charitable status, so many dug into their own pockets to provide conferences that ensured best literacy practices — kudos to you all — the founding members of the Bermuda Reading Association.

One of the strongest advocates of reading to ever grace this earth,  Mary McLeod Bethune (1875-1955), has given us this inspiring quote: “The whole world opened to me when I learned to read.” What a powerful statement and what a powerful woman. Mary McLeod Bethune, an African American teacher, was one of the great educators of the United States.

She was a leader of women, a distinguished adviser to several American presidents, and a powerful champion of racial equality. She not only opened the world for herself once she was able to read, but she also empowered many, many others. 

The Qur’an speaks about service to others: “You are the best people created for the good of mankind”  (3:111).

Service to mankind is the essence of Islam. The qualities we need to serve humanity is to have love for humanity, kindness in our hearts for others, a charitable disposition, humility, honesty, a thirst for knowledge and when acquired, a desire to share it.

Mary McLeod Bethune had such a spirit and many have benefited from it. She began her career as an educator in earnest when she rented a two-story frame building in Florida, and began the difficult task of establishing a school for African American girls.

Her school opened in October 1904, with six pupils, five girls and her own son; there was no equipment; crates were used for desks and charcoal took the place of pencils; and ink came from crushed elderberries.

Thus began the Daytona Literary and Industrial School for Training Negro Girls, in an era when most African American children received little or no education.

At first Bethune was teacher, administrator, comptroller, and custodian.

Later she was able to secure a staff, many of whom worked loyally for many years.

To finance and expand the school, Bethune and her pupils baked pies and made ice cream to sell to nearby construction gangs.

Much like the founders of the Bermuda Reading Association, who in those days sold many, many bags of peanuts!

Well the present board of directors is carrying on the torch and under the leadership of soldier Darnell Wynn we will be able to win the race against illiteracy!

The Holy Prophet (pbuh) has said: It is the duty of every Muslim man and woman to seek knowledge. The Holy Prophet also said: “The best charity on the part of a Muslim is to acquire knowledge and to impart it to others.”

In fact, Islam has laid so much stress on the pursuit of knowledge that the Holy Prophet (pbuh) himself was taught this prayer by Allah: “Lord, grant me increase in knowledge.” (20:115)

Knowledge has no boundaries and no limits.

Yes, reading is good and it opens up a powerful world of limitlessness.