Literacy Point of Light: Maggie Austin
Maggie featured on left
Meet Maggie Austin, a dedicated Ladies for Literacy Guild volunteer with a passion for nurturing young minds. Maggie brings a wealth of creative talent to her volunteer work. She holds a B.F.A. in Theatre from the University of Texas at Austin and has a deep appreciation for the art of storytelling and dialogue—a skill that enriches her reading sessions with the students. Maggie’s volunteerism started two years ago when she decided to lend her love of reading and literacy to the students at Piney Point Elementary.
As a volunteer in the Foundation’s Reading Roundup program, Maggie read monthly to second-grade students, opening new worlds and helping to spark their imaginations. For Maggie, the joy of volunteering comes from a foundational love of reading and understanding the transformative impact it has on one's life.
Literacy is not just about mastering words on a page to Maggie. It's about unlocking the potential within each child. She has seen first-hand how literacy has impacted her granddaughter who learned to read in two languages- a gift that has enriched her life and academic journey.
“My granddaughter learned to read in French, then had to transition into English. Learning to read in two languages is a gift. She is now in 6th grade. One of my greatest joys is reading and discussing her assigned schoolbooks with her. This year we became part of the March family while reading Little Women.” -Maggie.
Volunteering has had a profound impact on Maggie’s life. She recalls a particularly memorable moment during a classroom read-aloud session when she shared the story of Swimmy with a shy, new student. Through literature, Maggie connected with the child, offering comfort in an uncertain moment.
When asked about her favorite books, Maggie's noted Barbara Kingsolver's Demon Copperhead and Claire Keegan's Small Things Like These and shared that the works of Jane Austen hold a special place in her heart, offering new discoveries with each reading.
Maggie's commitment to literacy and her genuine love for storytelling make her a key contributor to the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation Ladies for Literacy Guild’s mission. Through her volunteer work, she is helping to ignite a love of reading in the hearts of young readers, one story at a time.
To learn more about you can get involved in our Ladies for Literacy Guild, visit https://www.barbarabushhouston.org/ladiesguild.