Helen Dalton is a long-time donor, adult literacy tutor and former President of the Washington Literacy Center. Born in Shanghai, Helen grew up in Hong Kong and other cities in Asia before moving to the DC area where she has now been for over 50 years.

WLC had a chat with Helen about her background, her experiences at WLC and why she is so passionate about reading:
Helen: My BA degree is in English (Literature) and I have been an avid reader since my terrible twos, so, empathy for those struggling to read is in my DNA. My introduction to WLC was at a Love Letters for Literacy event at the Embassy of New Zealand over 25 years ago. It was a simple event - volunteer driven with donated refreshments from local establishments. It was inspiring, entertaining and heartbreaking at the same time. I was sold, not the least of it after meeting the celebrity readers. I became a tutor and also was asked to join the board. Eventually, I became President of WLC and oversaw a name change (from Council to Center), a rebranding effort, and a move to the Thurgood Marshall Building. The impact I was able to make on WLC’s students, thanks to the training and support I received was a blessing to me and my emotional reward. Lives truly changed. I truly learned how difficult it is to get through a day without being able to read.
WLC: What was it like being a tutor?

Helen: The students were some of the most interesting and inspiring people I have ever met. I led classes in the early days of experimenting and varying the learning experience and curriculum. That was the best! I saw the enormous efforts the students made, with great success, to overcome their literacy challenges, and the dedication and commitment of the staff and volunteers at WLC to “change lives.” I’ve witnessed many transformations in students over the years, including their discovery that learning how to read gave these students the ability to express their emotions through the written word. I’ve seen students burst into tears upon realizing this. Another student came to WLC because he didn’t want his daughter to know he couldn’t read. He was a Metrorail driver who was asked to write about why he wanted to be a driver in his job interview. Since he couldn’t read, he copied some of the language used on promotional posters hanging in the office, and miraculously, got the job. But the experience made him realize that he needed to learn how to read – for himself, and for his daughter.

WLC: What are you reading these days?

Helen: I read more non-fiction these days than I used to and I love Erik Larsen, author of The Splendid and The Vile and The Devil in the White City. I love mysteries and Harry Potter, and also the fiction books of Alexander McCall Smith about Precious Ramotswe and her ladies detective agency in Botswana. They seem like simple tales but are so beautifully expressive of life’s true values of love, respect and integrity and the exceptional country of Botswana. I also love Louise Erdrich and everything Native American from her.

WLC: Now that you are happily retired, how do you spend your days?

Helen: I am active in a book club, love my local library and stay busy with various civic and faith volunteer activities and serve on several boards. But my most rewarding, challenging and fulfilling experience has been as an adult literacy tutor at WLC. I am grateful to WLC for teaching me their methods and giving me an opportunity to help change lives. What could be better?