Country Star Gretchen Wilson Will Receive National Literacy Award Sept. 16, 2009

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins Sep 14, 2009

Grammy-winning country artist Gretchen Wilson will be among a select handful of recipients chosen to receive a 2009 National Coalition for Literacy Leadership Award.

The platinum-selling recording artist will be presented with the NCL honor on Sept. 16, 2009, during a reception at the Library of Congress.

The awards are designed to honor those who have made extraordinary contributions to improving literacy and raising awareness of the adult literacy and English-language learning needs in the United States.

Wilson became a public proponent of adult education’s importance somewhat by happenstance after, post-fame, she studied to earn her GED diploma—something she had always longed to achieve—in 2008. Then, in May 2009, she spoke before a Congressional subcommittee about the importance of adult education and literacy.

Recipients of the NCL award, including soon-to-be record company founder Wilson—have demonstrated a deep and sustained individual or organizational commitment by supporting literacy on the local, state, and national level.