Eartha Johnson’s personal motto is "I may be down, but I’m not out. "Eartha never learned to read; she didn’t receive the attention sheneeded in school, and she spent much of her time growing up taking care of her siblings.

Eartha set the goal of getting her GED and was excited about how it would feel to read. Learning wasn’t always easy, however, especially with her many other responsibilities. At times Eartha had to drop out for a while. When this happened, she always made sure the staff knew it was only temporary. She would tell them, "I’m down, but I am not out. I am not out; I’ll be back."

"The first time I really knew that I was learning how to read," Eartha says, "I was waiting for some students who were taking their placement tests. I was sitting there and just started to read everything on the wall. Then it hit me, HEY, that’s what all that says up there. Eartha continues as a student in the literacy program and aspires to be a teacher someday. She advocates for children, particularly those identified with special needs. She also believes that adult literacy students have insights to offer local school teachers. Her advocacy efforts are part of Eartha’s quest to help others help themselves. As student coordinator for Literacy Volunteers of Lake County, she is responsible for maintaining contacts between the program and its students, and she frequently assists students with personal problems.

To hear more of Eartha’s story, click here: www.proliteracy.org/students/profiles_e-johnson.asp [1]