About Us

"Literacy could be the ladder out of poverty" -Morgan Freeman

MISSION

The Literacy Council of White County works to strengthen family literacy through educating adults and families by providing programs and the skills they need to reach their goals, both in their jobs and at home.

HISTORY

The Literacy Council of White County was founded in 1978, when it was staffed entirely by volunteers, and incorporated as a 501 (c) (3) non-profit in 1996. It was a small establishment, but the Adult Education Department at Foothills Vo-Tech, seeing the value of the organization, took it in, and activity increased. When Foothills was assimilated into the Arkansas State University system, the increased duties of the two part-time coordinators made it difficult to grow the program. LCWC was then placed under the care of the White County Library System until 2005, when a paid director was hired and the organization came into its own. A used bookstore was opened to help raise funds for the program and to provide the community with the valuable resource of a second hand bookstore.

Board of Directors

Board President: Ann Dixon

Vice-President: Linda Jenkins

Ann Dixon is a graduate of Harding University and Texas Woman’s University where she received her Master of Library Science degree. After teaching for several years, she served as Library Director at Brackett Library, Harding University. Since her retirement she has worked with the Literacy Council primarily with the Imagination Library of White County which provides free books for children from birth to 5 years, and in the bookstore. Believing that reading is fundamental for success, she works with the council to provide access to books for chidren and families to enjoy together. She joined the Board of Directors in 2017.

Vice-President: Linda Jenkins

Linda Jenkins is almost a life-long native of White County. She attended Rosebud, Searcy, Antioch, Floyd and Beebe Public Schools and received a BSE from Arkansas State University and an MAT from Harvard University. She has been married to Thomas for more than 50 years and has two sons and four grandchildren. After teaching junior high and high school science for 28 years, she worked at ASU Beebe for 7 years as lab coordinator for math and sciences as well as teaching as an adjunct. She serves as financial secretary and teaches Mother's Day Out Science at First United Methodist Church in Beebe, and is active in White County Master Gardeners, Delta Kappa Gamma and White County Retired Teacher's Association.

Treasurer: Donna Williams

Vice-President: Linda Jenkins

Board Member: Martha Vendetti

Board Member: Misty O'Neal

Board Member: Martha Vendetti

Board Member: Misty O'Neal

Secretary: Jennifer Shelby

Board Member: Martha Vendetti

Board Member: Misty O'Neal

Board Member: Logan Russell

Staff

Executive Director: Dixie Evans

Dixie has a true passion for literacy. She is a Certified Dyslexia Interventionist and advocate for children and adults with dyslexia. She is a member of the Arkansas Dyslexia Support Group and supports many other groups dedicated to improving literacy in Arkansas. Dixie is constantly learning about the best practices for teaching literacy skills and supports the use of scientifically researched and proven methods.Her goal is to give everyone the opportunity to learn to read and achieve their goals. In her spare time, Dixie enjoys spending time with her husband, Brad, and their daughter, Natalie. She loves the theatre and cooking. Dixie is an active volunteer and supporter of many organizations