Every year on International Women’s Day on March 8th, we take time to celebrate the amazing contributions of women in all areas of society. We often hear about women making waves in business, politics and healthcare, but there’s one group that doesn’t always get the recognition they deserve – women working in adult literacy. These women aren’t just educators; they’re mentors, advocates and changemakers, helping adults build the skills they need to succeed in life.
While there is no Canadian data on the number of women working in the adult literacy sector, based on similar statistics, it’s safe to say that the majority of the field is made up of women. According to Statistics Canada, 75 per cent of elementary and secondary school teachers are women, and in the US, 67 per cent of adult education teachers are women. In Canada, it’s likely similar.
What makes women in this field so powerful is the empathy they bring to their work. They understand the challenges their learners face, whether it’s a single mom trying to finish high school, a newcomer learning English or someone retraining after losing a job. These educators do more than teach; they guide, support and advocate for their learners, helping them overcome academic and personal barriers.
Women in adult literacy also push for education to be more flexible and accessible. They create evening classes for working students, support programs with childcare and develop online courses that fit busy schedules. Their dedication to making education more inclusive means that more adults—especially those from marginalized communities—get a fair shot at success.
And the impact doesn’t stop in the classroom. When adults improve their literacy and job skills, entire communities benefit. Parents can better support their kids’ education, workers strengthen the local economy and people who gain confidence through learning become more engaged citizens—whether that means voting, volunteering or simply feeling more connected to their community.
By investing in adult learners, women educators are shaping stronger, more resilient communities one student at a time. In honour of International Women’s Day, we highlight the inspiring stories of some of the women leading the charge in adult literacy, and the impact they’ve made on the communities they serve.
Mélanie Valcin, President and CEO, United for Literacy
For Mélanie Valcin, literacy isn’t just a profession, it’s part of who she is. As President and CEO of United for Literacy (UFL; formerly known as Frontier College), she’s spent over two decades making sure adults across Canada get the education they need to build better futures.
Valcin’s passion for literacy is deeply personal. Her grandfathers, one in Haiti and the other in Quebec, had less than a grade six education. Despite their struggles, they understood the power of learning and prioritized higher education for their children.
“They both had hard lives, but they knew how important learning was and so they invested everything into making sure their kids had opportunities,” says Valcin. That belief in education shaped her own childhood, as her parents made sure she and her sisters grew up surrounded by books and learning.
Valcin’s career started in international development, always with a focus on education.
“Every job I had before United for Literacy was centered around learning and community,” she says.
But when she joined UFL 23 years ago, she knew she’d found her place. She started as a Manager for Quebec and Nunavut, worked her way up across different roles and regions, and became President and CEO in 2022.
One of the most transformative programs Valcin recalls involved a partnership with an iron ore mine in Northern Quebec. The mine wanted to hire locally but found that many workers lacked the skills to advance beyond entry-level positions. UFL sent two instructors to live in the community, providing hands-on training in computer literacy, budgeting and communication skills. Valcin shares the story of one young man who had never used a computer before.
“The thought of moving a mouse was scary to him, but with six weeks of dedicated tutoring, he went from not knowing how to use a computer to writing emails and building Excel schedules.”
Unlike traditional students, adult learners face unique challenges. They have jobs, families and financial obligations, making it harder for them to attend classes. Valcin believes that UFL’s customized approach to personalized learning is what makes it so impactful.
“We learn best when we aren’t worried, but many adult learners don’t have that luxury,” Valcin explains. “But through our programs, we take the time to understand each individual’s needs and learning style, which makes progress happen much faster.”
But despite UFL’s 125 years of offering literacy training to Canadians, Valcin warns that literacy rates in Canada have been declining since 2013, and the effects could be dire. Her mission in the coming years is to bring literacy out of the shadows and into the national conversation.
“If we don’t invest in literacy now, how will we face looming challenges like AI, workforce automation and the rising cost of living? One in five adults won’t be able to take advantage of opportunities, and that affects all of us,” she warns. “If we increased literacy by just one per cent, we could add $54-67 billion to the economy.”
But it’s not just about the money, she says. “Literacy is about reducing inequalities, strengthening civic engagement and creating a more just society.”
Kim Chung, Executive Director, Centre for Family Literacy
Like Valcin, Kim Chung worked her way up to the top job at the Centre for Family Literacy in Edmonton, Alberta. But her path into adult education was far from typical. With a background in science and biology, she never imagined she’d one day be leading literacy programs.
As a young mother on maternity leave at home with her two children, Chung discovered a local family literacy program at the Centre for Family Literacy. What started as a personal experience soon turned into a career.
“Someone asked me if I wanted to facilitate, and I agreed,” Chung recalls. “I thought it would just be a side job, but a few years later, I was laid off from my science job and a position opened up as a Program Coordinator for the same program I had attended with my kids. I applied and got the job.”
Over time, Chung continued to move up in the organization, eventually settling into the role of Executive Director in 2022. Throughout her 20-plus years in the sector, Chung has seen firsthand how family literacy not only supports children but also provides opportunities for adults to develop their own literacy skills in a safe and supportive environment.
“Many caregivers join our programs thinking it’s just for their children, but over time they realize they’re learning too,” Chung explains. “What I love about family literacy is its holistic approach. It’s not just about reading – it’s about strengthening relationships, building confidence and empowering families to learn together.”
She recalls one mother who was only able to attend a book club program online but didn’t own a computer. The Centre for Family Literacy provided her with one, and despite the challenges of participating with young children around, she was determined to model the importance of learning.
“Even when it was disruptive, she wanted her kids to see her prioritizing education. That kind of modelling has a lasting impact across generations.”
Another memorable experience came when Chung led a facilitator training session in a rural community, where a mother shared her struggle with dyslexia.
“She told us she had always been labelled a troublemaker in school, but after having her own kids, she didn’t want them to go through the same experience. She worked hard to improve her literacy skills and eventually became a facilitator herself.”
Family literacy programs often act as stepping stones for adult learners, helping to break cycles of low literacy and creating lasting change.
“We see caregivers transition from our family literacy programs into adult literacy programs,” Chung explains. “They start by focusing on their kids, but eventually they recognize their own goals and take steps to improve their skills.”
Despite the clear benefits of family literacy, the field faces ongoing challenges. Competition for funding, policy restrictions and systemic barriers limit the reach of these programs.
“As a society, we tend to focus on problems instead of solutions,” Chung says. “We need to shift our mindset from managing problems to investing in real change. Literacy is at the heart of so many issues, such as employment, economic stability and social inclusion. If we really want to address these challenges, we need governments, businesses and communities to invest in literacy.”
Katie Johnson, Program Director, NWT Literacy Council
With nearly 15 years dedicated to literacy, Katie Johnson’s passion for the cause began early. As an undergraduate student, she spent a summer teaching with United for Literacy and later worked in a refugee camp library in Ghana, solidifying her decision to pursue a career in literacy.
In 2010, Johnson joined the NWT Literacy Council, in a role initially focusing on family literacy. Over the years, she led youth literacy initiatives before returning to family programs after having children of her own. In 2021, she stepped into her current leadership role as Program Director, overseeing the many programs that are transforming lives across the Northwest Territories.
One of the most impactful programs is Reading Together, a partnership with the Department of Corrections that supports incarcerated fathers in developing literacy skills. The program records fathers reading books for their children, fostering connection and literacy development. Many fathers in the program have never read to their kids before, and hearing their voices on recordings has been a powerful experience for both parent and child.
“It’s incredibly moving to see the bonds strengthen between fathers and their kids through reading,” Johnson says.
Their flagship family literacy program, running since 2001, is another success story. It trains community facilitators such as librarians, social workers and early childhood educators to deliver family literacy programs in communities across the Northwest Territories.
“We provide training, resources and even funding to help them run customized programs in their communities, some of which are extremely rural,” Johnson explains. “In some communities, just getting books into homes makes a huge difference.”
With 20 to 30 programs running each year, even the most isolated communities now have literacy resources and support.
Another standout program is the Council’s youth pre-employment program, developed in partnership with Ilitaqsiniq and the Yukon Literacy Coalition. The initiative blends workplace skills, traditional land-based learning and personal development. Johnson says the program has been extremely successful. Based on this success, the Council received additional funding and replicated the program for multi-aged cohorts in other communities.
“One of our first-year participants is still employed at the same job she was placed in, and in one community, every single participant secured long-term employment after completing the program.”
Johnson has seen firsthand how literacy programs create a ripple effect. Parents who start as hesitant participants often become more involved in their children’s education, growing into confident learners and advocates for literacy in their communities.
As a leader in the field, Johnson is keenly aware of the role women play in education. Of the 15 staff members at the NWT Literacy Council, 13 are women. While work in adult literacy is highly collaborative and supportive, she acknowledges the importance of making these programs welcoming for all genders. Many of their family literacy programs primarily attract women, and the Council is working on ways to encourage more fathers to get involved.
For those considering a career in adult education, Johnson has one key piece of advice: “It’s incredibly rewarding. You’re not just teaching, you’re building relationships, strengthening communities and making a real impact on people’s lives.”
Alison Howard, Executive Director, ABC Life Literacy Canada
With a strong background in research and a deep passion for education, Alison Howard has dedicated her career to improving the lives of adult learners. Growing up in a family of teachers, the love of learning was instilled in her from an early age. Her career path led her into research on skills development and employability, providing a solid understanding of how literacy impacts people’s lives.
“Throughout my career in research, whether it be a large statistical study or talking one-on-one with someone about their personal story, it’s been very clear the impact that higher literacy skills have on people’s lives,” she says.
Howard’s work has highlighted how enhanced literacy skills can open doors to independence, employability and civic engagement. But she warns that in order for these benefits to be fully realized, ongoing investment in lifelong learning from both the government and employers is essential.
“Employers need to recognize that investing in their workforce’s literacy and skills development benefits both their business and the broader economy,” Howard explains.
Literacy is the foundation for a strong economy, yet many Canadians lack the necessary skills to participate fully in the workforce. Low literacy rates directly impact productivity, innovation and wages, costing the Canadian economy billions each year in lost potential.
Investing in adult education is not just a social issue – it’s an economic one. Studies show that improving literacy rates by just one per cent can lead to a three per cent increase in GDP. Additionally, companies that provide ongoing training and development see higher employee retention, greater efficiency and a more adaptable workforce.
But investing in literacy and lifelong learning isn’t just about employment, it’s about empowering individuals to make informed choices, to engage with their communities and to lead fulfilling lives. By prioritizing adult education, Canada can build a stronger, more inclusive society where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
“We need to continue pushing for investment in lifelong learning, providing more opportunities and ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, has the chance to thrive.”
But without adequate support, many adults struggle to access the education they need.
“Unlike traditional students, adult learners face unique challenges, including balancing work, family responsibilities and overcoming the anxiety of returning to education,” says Howard. “We need to meet people where they are, build on their existing strengths and ensure learning content is accessible and relevant.”
For women in particular, gaining literacy and employability skills leads to increased financial security, independence and confidence.
“Helping women improve their skills and knowledge gives them more choices and greater agency in their lives. You can’t overestimate the value of that.”
The future of women in literacy
Women have played a huge role in shaping adult literacy in Canada, not just as educators, but as advocates and leaders. Their dedication has changed lives, opened doors to new opportunities and strengthened entire communities. Through creative, community-driven literacy programs, they’ve helped adults gain the skills they need to find better jobs, improve their finances and build more secure futures.
As the adult literacy sector evolves, women’s leadership in the field will be more important than ever. With new technology, shifting economies and the growing need for lifelong learning, they’ll be leading the way in creating flexible and inclusive programs that meet people where they are. Their work continues to break down barriers, making sure literacy stays a priority for everyone.
The future of adult literacy depends on a shared commitment to literacy as a basic right. By supporting and investing in literacy programming, we can ensure that literacy remains a powerful force for change.
