Historical fiction writer headlines annual Lunch 4 Literacy event in Oak Ridge
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The recent Lunch 4 Literacy event was the 31st annual luncheon put on jointly by the Altrusa International of Oak Ridge and the Breakfast Rotary Club of Oak Ridge. It was again a fun and enjoyable event that raised funds for literacy.
Kim Michele Richardson, bestselling author, was the featured speaker. She has published five historical fiction novels and an award-winning memoir.
She lives in Kentucky and writes historical fiction set in familiar surroundings, with characters easily identifiable with the rural Kentucky setting. The two books featured in this program were “The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek” and “The Book Woman’s Daughter.”
Both books feature strong women overcoming adversity from the color of their skin (blue-skinned people) to more common difficulties women encounter when alone and often faced with challenges it seems men don't encounter as often. Richardson skillfully presented these women in a manner that caused the reader to readily identify with them and their difficulties.
The box lunches provided for the networking period prior to the event were provided by Birdwell Catering and were exceptionally good, many said. And, of course, the cookies from Doubletree Hotel were amazing.
The networking portion of the event provided time for participants to mix with others and to catch up on the latest happenings. After the lunch and networking ended at Oak Ridge High School, the attendees entered the auditorium for the main program.
The talk provided by Richardson was informative and entertaining. She is proud of her Kentucky heritage and does not hesitate to support the language of the region. Even when the publisher and editor insist on change, she refuses. Good for her. I like the expressions of the Kentucky and Tennessee region as I believe it helps place us appropriately in the region.
My accent is often recognized as Tennessee and I am often asked, “Which part of Tennessee are you from?” You do recognize that Middle Tennessee and East Tennessee accents and words are not the same. Never would you hear someone from Middle Tennessee say “you’uns”; it is “y’all.”
Questions from the audience focused on her choice of the Troublesome Creek area and what the culture was in the 1930s as well as what is it like today. She explained both eras and noted that recent flooding in the area had a significant impact on the region. Another audience member wanted to know other books she had written.
Richardson has written five historical fiction novels, and she spoke to the other three, “Liar’s Bench,” “The Sisters of Glass Ferry,” and “GodPretty in the Tobacco Field.” She has also written a memoir, “The Unbreakable Child.”
Another insight into Richardson can be seen by the note she sent about the Moonlight School. https://www.aol.com/news/she-founded-adult-education-moonlight-163942617.html.
And https://www.appalachianhistory.net/2017/12/kentuckys-moonlight-schools.html.
She also has created Sly Rabbit, a writers/artist residency, which provides scholarships and a food stipend to writers who qualify and are seeking a “contemplative and tranquil place to work and create.” https://www.kimmichelerichardson.com/the-shy-rabbit-tiny-home-writers-scholarship.
Founder of adult literacy education? Cora Wilson Stewart
In her research into Kentucky history and especially women’s role in it, she found a woman who could be considered the founder of adult literacy education in the United States. From the second link above, “Cora Wilson Stewart (1875-1958) was an elementary school teacher and county school superintendent in eastern Kentucky’s Rowan County who, in the fall of 1911, decided to open the classrooms in her district to adult pupils.”
From the first link above: “On Sept. 5, 1911, Cora Wilson Stewart (1875-1958) opened her first Moonlight School in Rowan County, Kentucky. That first night 1,200 adults showed up. They came in droves from Kentucky’s dark hollers, needle-eyed coves, and tree-thick hills. Born in Farmers, Kentucky, Stewart led the nation’s first official campaign to fight adult illiteracy.”
Richardson was so impressed with what Cora Wilson Stewart had done that she purchased a grave marker for her 65 years after the woman's death. So you see, she has a deep and abiding fascination with Kentucky women who have achieved great results helping others.
Lunch 4 Literacy: Zoom, the sponsors, the co-chairs
The hybrid method using Zoom at the literacy luncheon allowed participation by those who could not attend in person. I often note that the only good thing to come out of COVID-19 is Zoom or other virtual platforms that allow remote access for meetings and events such as this.
While the Lunch 4 Literacy luncheon is enjoyable and fun for all, the primary intent is to raise money for literacy. It is rewarding to see the many ways the funds are used to promote learning in the special area of reading.
The Lunch 4 Literacy fundraising luncheon has historically been one of the most successful and popular events in Oak Ridge. It has become an annual tradition in March that many look forward to enjoying.
The purpose of the joint effort is to provide grants to help improve literacy in Oak Ridge, Anderson and Roane counties. Each year the grants are awarded to selected recipients.
Co-leader Amber Roberts said, “I am continually humbled and proud to be a part of the Lunch 4 Literacy team. Every year, this dedicated group of volunteers works tirelessly to put on an engaging program with delicious food in a beautiful setting. The last three years have been especially challenging as they have had to work around public health concerns, but they have pulled it off to keep the lunch going strong. I am so thankful for the generosity and the commitment to literacy in our community. I am also inspired by the talented educators who put the grant funds generated by the lunch to use preparing our community’s next generation.”
Co-leader John Roberts said, “This was my first year in an official capacity with the Lunch 4 Literacy. It is truly an honor to be asked to serve in a leadership role for such a great cause. It is impressive and impactful that two organizations have joined forces for 31 consecutive years to make a significant difference in our community as champions for literacy. It is a massive endeavor with many moving parts requiring the collaboration of numerous people. The culmination of this collective effort is readily visible in the eyes and voices of the children, which makes it all worthwhile. I look forward to helping facilitate the continued success of the Lunch 4 Literacy next year.”
The generous support provided by sponsors this year continues the tradition of strong support for literacy.
Lunch 4 Literacy sponsors included:
Angel sponsors: Altrusa; IB3 Global Solutions; ORAU; Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary; OMEGA Technical Services; Roy Cooper and Bonnie Carroll; and TN Bank;
Patron sponsors: Boston Government Services; Centrus Energy Corp; Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC; KeyLogic Associates Inc; Oak Ridge Sunset Rotary Club, Rotary Club of Oak Ridge; and UT-Battelle LLC
Sponsors: Acato Information Management; Betsy Coleman Realty; Chuck's Car Care; Dave and Martha Hobson; Design Innovation Architects; East Tennessee Spine and Sport, Oak Ridge; Energy Solutions; Enrichment Federal Credit Union; Jean and Donna Reat; Jim and Liz Henry; Kinetic Performance Training; Men’s Book KLUB; MS Technology Inc.; Oak Ridge Utility District; ORNL Federal Credit Union; Peggy Sells Homes! Realty Center; Pinnacle Financial Partners, Oak Ridge; Ridgeview Behavioral Health Services; Vacuum Technology Inc.; and Warren and Judy Gooch
Special Thanks to: Birdwell's Catering Inc.; Doubletree of Oak Ridge; and Oak Ridge Schools.
D. Ray Smith is the city of Oak Ridge historian and writes a weekly column, "Historically Speaking," for The Oak Ridger.
This article originally appeared on Oakridger: Historical fiction writer headlines annual Lunch 4 Literacy event
