May 4, 2009 ... Pat Williams of Hudson, Florida was presented with the 2009 Susan Green Award on May 4th, 2009 for her adult learner leadership and many years dedicated to helping others.

The Susan Green Award is given out every two years at the VALUE National Adult Learner Leadership Institute to recognize an outstanding adult learner leader who, like Susan Green, sees the best in other people, reaches out to help others, and is a leader in adult literacy.

In 1988, Pat set out to improve her literacy skills. Within two years, she began volunteering at the program that had helped her, the Susquehanna County Literacy Program in New Milford, PA. She became a literacy tutor, helped with fundraisers, and was the student representative to the program's Board of Directors.

Throughout the 1990's, Pat served as the Northeast Regional Representative for Pennsylvania's state student network. She also served on the Board of Directors of Literacy Volunteers of Broome and Tioga Counties just across the border in New York state.  She was a presenter at several Pennsylvania state and regional conferences during that time period too and has advocated for adult literacy to state and federal legislators.

In 2003, Pat moved to Florida. Her involvement in literacy never skipped a beat. She began volunteering at one of the Marchman Technical Education Center instructional sites, tutoring, helping with fundraisers, and attending Board meetings. She also took part in state conferences put on by the Florida Literacy Coalition.

During the past year, Pat has shown that her dedication to adult learners is truly amazing. Even though  budget cuts forced the program to close the instructional site at which she had been volunteering, Pat continues to tutor the student she has been working with.

Congratulations Pat Williams, the VALUE 2009 Susan Green Award winner!