Margaret McNamara | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Margaret McNamara withTed Kennedy | |
| Born | Margaret Craig (1915-08-22)August 22, 1915 Spokane, Washington, U.S. |
| Died | February 3, 1981(1981-02-03) (aged 65) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Resting place | ashes scattered nearSnowmass Village, Colorado, U.S. |
| Alma mater | University of California, Berkeley |
| Occupation | Teacher |
| Known for | Founder ofReading is Fundamental |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3, includingCraig McNamara |
| Awards | Presidential Medal of Freedom (1981) |
Margaret Craig McNamara (August 22, 1915 – February 3, 1981) was the founder of the nonprofit children's literacy organizationReading is Fundamental and the wife of theUnited States Secretary of DefenseRobert McNamara.
McNamara was born on August 22, 1915, inSpokane, Washington, and grew up inAlameda,California.[1]
McNamara attendedUniversity of California, Berkeley, where she metRobert McNamara, whom she would marry on August 13, 1940.[2] Her husband's appointment byJohn F. Kennedy asU.S. Secretary of Defense led to their move toWashington, D.C. Her experiences while tutoring three children in the District led to the formation ofReading Is Fundamental.
On January 16, 1981,Jimmy Carter awarded McNamara theMedal of Freedom for her work with RIF. She died ofcancer eighteen days later, at the age of 65.[3][4] In summer of 1981, her ashes were scattered by her family on a mountainside meadow at Buckskin Pass, nearSnowmass Village, Colorado. Margaret Craig McNamara is commemorated on her husband's grave marker inArlington National Cemetery.
After many early organizational meeting with other educators in the District, McNamara secured a $150,000 grant from theFord Foundation to support pilot activities in the District of Columbia. Following the success RIF had in Washington, the Ford Foundation increased RIF's grant to $285,000 in August 1968, enabling RIF to launch ten model programs across the country. From these early beginnings, RIF evolved into a national motivating force for literacy. At the time of McNamara's death in 1981, RIF had provided "more than 3 million poor children with 37 million books."[4]
Today, through its contract with theU.S. Department of Education and with private funds, RIF provides 16 million free books for children to choose and keep each year. RIF programs operate in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam.[citation needed] RIF is also affiliated with programs in Argentina and the United Kingdom. It achieves high visibility throughpublic service announcements onchildren's television programs.[citation needed]
The Margaret McNamara Memorial Fund was established in 1981 to honor Margaret McNamara and her commitment to the well-being of women and children in developing countries. Grants are provided annually to support the university education of women from developing countries who are committed to improving the lives of women and children. Grant recipients study in diverse fields.[5]
The volunteer non-profit organization was rebranded asMargaret McNamara Education Grants in 2015.[6]
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