National literacy group honors country star Gretchen Wilson on Sept. 16

September 15, 1:31 AMNashville Country Music ExaminerLisa L. Rollins

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Since receiving her GED diploma in 2008 after she
became a Grammy-winning country star, Gretchen Wilson
has championed adult education. (Photo courtesy of CMT)

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With a collection of music-industry accolades and hit albums to her credit, country star Gretchen Wilson has landed a new trophy to call her own.

This time, however, it’s one that will likely have an extra-special place in her Nashville-area home, thanks to her soft spot for literacy and adult education.

The Grammy Award-wining Wilson, with three No. 1 CDs to her credit and her own record label in the making, was chosen to be one of six recipients of a national literacy honor that will be bestowed Wednesday, Sept. 16, during a reception at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.

The National Coalition for Literacy and the Center for the Book will present the country singer-songwriter with its 2009 NCL Literacy Leadership Award in honor of her demonstrated and deep commitment to supporting literacy on the local, state and national level.

Earlier this year, Wilson testified before a Congressional subcommittee about the importance of adult education, and in particular, she cited her own life as an example.

For those unfamiliar with the brunet singer’s commitment to learning, a post-fame Wilson hit the books to earn her GED diploma in 2008. She did so not only to set an example about the importance of education for daughter, a grade-schooler, but also because it was something she had always longed to do.

"People need the tools to succeed in America, and, at the very minimum, a major tool on the road to success is a high school diploma or GED. All Americans deserve a basic education so that they can take advantage of opportunities otherwise not open to them," Wilson told the subcommittee on May 5, 2009.

In addition to Wilson--who tweeted that her bus broke down en route to the Sept. 16 event--the NCL will recognize Sen. Patricia Murray of Washington for her efforts to secure additional funding for programs that serve adult education and job retraining needs and her leadership on the Workforce Investment Act reauthorization;

Rep. Raul Grijalva (Ariz.) for his work on legislation to raise awareness and fiscal commitment in Congress for programs that serve adults in need of literacy, higher education and English-language learning; Dorcas Place, a Providence, R.I., program for its powerful record of success in assisting low-income adults in realizing their full potential through literacy, employment, advocacy and community involvement; the Home Safety Council, a national organization devoted to making home-safety information accessible to all Americans; and posthumously, Calvin Miles, a former adult literacy student-turned-tireless international advocate for the inclusion of adult learners in decision-making about their programs and instruction.