Ida’s Unwavering Commitment to Learning

Ida Gross, an 83-year-old Baltimore native, embarked on her literacy journey nine years ago with the Literacy Council. For the first two years, she worked with tutor Karen Lehmkuhl weekly to enhance her reading skills. Beth Henry later joined, focusing on math, as Ida prepared for her GED tests over the next two years.

When the National External Diploma Program (NEDP) became available, both tutors encouraged Ida to pursue it. As Karen’s availability dwindled, Beth guided Ida through the NEDP. Ida passed two of the three entrance tests just before the onset of COVID-19, leading to a transition to holding sessions over the phone. They completed all NEDP workbooks, provided by the Literacy Council. However, health and transportation issues soon made continuing the NEDP impractical.

Instead, Ida and Beth chose to focus on reading, stemming from their enjoyable sessions together. Ida recalled how she used to glance at Reader’s Digest in the grocery store and think, “I’ll never be able to read that.” With Beth’s support, she soon tackled the magazine, eventually finishing issues well before the next ones arrived.

Ida then discovered her grandson’s old American history textbook, expressing a desire to read it. After Beth found a used copy online, they dedicated a year to finishing the entire book. Their next challenge is the Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr., which they are close to completing.

Beth is continually amazed at Ida’s remarkable improvement in reading comprehension and fluency, especially given her own lack of formal training as a reading instructor and the challenges posed by their inability to meet in person. She credits much of this progress to Ida’s unwavering commitment to learning.

Ida now spends much time with her nose in a book, sharing her newfound knowledge, and staunchly advocating reading for all family members (especially the younger ones). Reflecting on her journey, she beautifully states: “When you can read, you can see the world.”