October 12th & 13th, 2007
October 12th & 13th, 2007
|
|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
KATHRYN TUCKER WINDHAM ELECTED 2007 INTERNATIONAL
WOMAN OF DISTINCTION BY ALPHA DELTA KAPPA Kathryn Tucker Windham has recently been elected the 2007 International Woman of Distinction by Alpha Delta Kappa International Teachers Honorary Organization at their International Convention in San Diego, California. This International Woman of Distinction Award is given every two years to a woman who has made an outstanding contribution to the fields of education, humanities, sciences or arts on a national or international level. Some previous recipients include First Ladies Laura Bush, Barbara Bush, Rosalyn Carter, Nancy Reagan and Patricia Nixon; Astronauts Eileen Collins, Sally Rhea Seddon, plus other notable women such as Mother Teresa, Sandra Day O’Connor, Shirley Temple Black and Margaret Mead. Alpha Delta Kappa, founded in 1947, is an international honorary organization of women educators dedicated to educational excellence, altruism, and world understanding. Headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, Alpha Delta Kappa today has over 43,000 members in over 1,500 chapters located in towns and cities in every state and Puerto Rico and around the world in Australia, Canada, Jamaica and Mexico. For 60 years, women educators around the world have discovered the many opportunities provided by membership in Alpha Delta Kappa. Perhaps the greatest opportunity Alpha Delta Kappa provides is the opportunity to make a difference. In the past two years alone, Alpha Delta Kappa members have given at the grass-roots level over 7.2 million dollars in monetary gifts, over 1.8 million dollars in scholarships and have provided over 1.7 million hours of volunteer service to their communities. At the International level, Alpha Delta Kappa reaches out to others in two very significant ways. First through its International altruistic projects: St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, and Susan G. Komen for the Cure in Dallas, Texas. Secondly, Alpha Delta Kappa biennially awards over a quarter of a million dollars through its eight scholarship programs. Kathryn Tucker Windham, who grew up in Thomasville, Alabama, lives in Selma, Alabama, and is a member of Church Street United Methodist Church. Mrs. Windham is the mother of three, grandmother of two, and a friend to many. She has told stories in 28 states as well as in Canada and Germany; has written 26 books in addition to the publication of telling her stories in numerous audiocassettes and compact discs; Recipient of the Helen Keller Literary Award; Recipient of President’s Award for Service to Alabama Libraries; Recipient of the Storytelling Circle of Excellence Award; Recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Storytelling Association. Some of her best storytelling ventures have been as an actress…especially in her one-woman show as ‘Julia Tutwiler’ in “My Name Is Julia”. Kathryn Tucker Windham is also an accomplished photographer, renowned historian, popular public television and radio personality. As a contributor to National Public Radio, Kathryn Tucker Windham won national acclaim for her segments for “All Things Considered.” Kathryn Tucker Windham’s community, state, national and international recognitions include: emcee & featured teller annually at the Alabama Storytelling Festival; World premiere of documentary, “Kathryn: The Story of a Teller” which won the 2004 Audience Choice Award; First Presentation in 2004 of the Kathryn Tucker Windham Excellence in Storytelling Award to be presented annually by Sidewalk Moving Film Festival; Induction into the University of Alabama’s College of Communication Hall of Fame; Dedication of the Kathryn Tucker Windham Museum in 2003; Induction into the Alabama Academy of Honor in 2003; Featured Storyteller at the 2001 Smithsonian Affiliations Conference in Washington, D.C.; and selection as one of the “40 Things We Love About Alabama” by Southern Living Magazine in 2006. The International contributions to humanities, education, science, and the arts of Kathryn Tucker Windham include: Selected as one of thirteen Alabama Artists who traveled to France and whose work, sponsored by the N.A.L.L. Art Foundation and the French Government, was first exhibited in France and Monaco (2000) and is ongoing around the world today; a Teller In Residence at the International Storytelling Center’s “Storytelling Live” (2004); and a ‘Featured Teller’ at the International Storytelling Center’s “National Storytelling Festival” where she appears regularly and consistently draws the biggest, most enthusiastic, standing room only crowds! Kathryn Tucker Windham touches the hearts and minds of children and adults around the world through her stories, books, audiocassettes, and compact discs. Todd Harvey, Folklore Specialist-American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, says, “We value the creativity of Kathryn Tucker Windham and celebrate her profound influence upon the storytelling revival—both in the style and content of her storytelling—and also her ideas about the role of storytelling in society”. Fred Nall Hollis “Nall”, American Artist and creator of the N.A.L.L. Art Association in Venice, France, states, “Kathryn Tucker Windham’s compassion for the common man and a sense of justice comes through in all her words, images and deeds. She is a dynamic source of inspiration to our younger generation, and has extended a supporting hand to the arts, and raised children that are carrying on her insistence. She is a dear friend who has touched not only the soul of her State of Alabama, but has allowed her magnificent love to extend to the entire world. What a fine ambassador she was in France for the Alabama Art exhibition in 2000”. Jimmy Neil Smith, Founder and President of the International Storytelling Center, shares, “The Jonesborough Festival (National Storytelling Festival) ignited an international renaissance of storytelling, and Kathryn Tucker Windham is a pioneer and leader of that movement. Without hesitation, I can tell you that Kathryn is considered one of the most-respected and best-loved storytellers in America and the world.” Norton Dill, Dill Productions, said, “I had the privilege of working on a documentary film about Kathryn Tucker Windham and she is, without a doubt, an amazing person. I was first drawn to her as a subject for my film because of her national and international recognition as one of America’s foremost storytellers. To me, one of her greatest traits is her determination to eliminate injustice and assure that all people are treated equally.” Dr. Michael Carrigan, current President and CEO of Sacred Spaces Liturgical Designs, Inc., states, “ It was while I was the Director of Affiliations for the Smithsonian that I became acquainted with Kathryn Tucker Windham. In 2001, for our annual Smithsonian Affiliations Conference in Washington, D.C., I asked Kathryn if she would attend and share a few of her stories with the directors who would be in town from museums all over the country. She graciously accepted, and without exception every one of those museum directors recognized what an extraordinary educator Kathryn was and how powerful storytelling was as a teaching tool. …Later I learned that every one of the museum directors who had heard Kathryn that evening at our conference had later traveled to see her in Jonesborough at the International Storytelling Festival in October. Each has since introduced storytelling onto their museum’s education curriculum.” International award winning Storyteller, Kathryn Tucker Windham, has spent her life trying to touch the hearts of people around the world in order that they may enjoy life, believe in themselves, and become the best person they could be. She has been successful at getting people of all ages to become more interested in their families and their family histories, so they too can be delightful storytellers. Mrs. Windham seeks to share with people the art of being a wonderful storyteller who enjoys the life she lives…who loves people dearly…and who encourages people to believe in themselves and enjoy life (including learning to play combs)! Kathryn Tucker Windham explains, “I think storytelling is a way of saying I love you enough to tell you something that means a great deal to me.” The themes of love and forgiveness permeate many of her stories and books. Kathryn Tucker Windham was elected the Alpha Delta Kappa 2007 International Woman of Distinction because she has made outstanding contributions to the fields of education, humanities, sciences, and arts on a national and international level. Kathryn Tucker Windham is a treasure to know and love . . . a true Alpha Delta Kappa International Woman of Distinction! Contact: Frances Revel 5600 Carmichael Road, #2618 Montgomery, Alabama, 36117 334-279-0230
For More Information Contact: |
|
Send mail to dave@klingereyeshields.com with
questions or comments about this web site.
|
