Beauty Queen Builds a Literate Nation, One Child at a Time

Dec. 1, 2008 - PRLog -- Peta-Gay Lewis, of Takoma Park, MD was selected to be the official county representative for the Mrs. Maryland International Pageant which will be held April 4, 2009 in Stevensville, MD.  Mrs. Lewis’ official title is Mrs. Montgomery County International.

Peta-Gay is very proud to be a part of the Mrs. International system because it is self described as “A family affair... The International Pageant system has been developed to promote today's married women, their accomplishments, and commitment to family and marriage. Around the world women are finding this system to be the opportunity to work with their husband and family to become positive role models.”  Peta-Gay’s husband thinks the Mrs. International pageant system is a perfect fit for the entire family due to their desire and commitment as a team to give back to the community that has given so much to them.

For many years Peta-Gay has served as a goodwill ambassador for her city and state.  Literacy awareness is of special importance to her which prompted her to apply and have her own chapter of the national non-profit Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) approved.  With her Beginning the Journey chapter Mrs. Lewis has shared the following message: “Reading: The Key to Your Future” which promotes children’s literacy.

Research shows that:
More than 20 percent of adults read at or below a fifth-grade level - far below the level needed to earn a living wage. National Institute for Literacy, Fast Facts on Literacy, 2001;

60 percent of America's prison inmates are illiterate and 85% of all juvenile offenders have reading problems. United States Department of Education;

46 percent of American adults cannot understand the label on their prescription medicine.  Journal of American Medical Association.

These findings prove that unemployment, incarceration and life altering mistakes are statistically higher for individuals who are unable to read.  This re-enforces Mrs. Lewis’ message that adequate reading skills are the key to our future. As Mrs. Montgomery County International, Peta-Gay, has (1) educated the public on the importance of reading, (2) planned engaging activities that foster an interest in reading, (3) secured funding to purchase literacy materials, (4) distributed reading materials to low income families, (5) served as a reading tutor and literacy e-Mentor and (6) lobbied Congress to increase funding for literacy programs.  Her community service efforts however are multi-faceted and not just limited to literacy awareness and include serving as a volunteer for Go Red for Women and participating in events that empower children and families.  

Peta-Gay says if the judges see it fit to award her the Mrs. Maryland International then it will give her a greater opportunity to continue her goodwill ambassadorship of helping to improve the lives of our citizens not just in the Washington, DC metropolitan area but internationally.

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