Moonlight Schools for the Emancipation of Adult Illiterates

by Cora Wilson Stewart

The Mississippi Legislature created an Illiteracy Commission in 1916 and began a state-wide campaign with the slogan, “Illiteracy in Mississippi—Blot it out.”

At the request of Governor Charles H. Brough, an Illiteracy Commission was created by the Arkansas Legislature in 1917. The expense of the illiteracy crusade in that state was met, at first, by the bankers, together with other patriotic organizations and individuals. The Legislature of 1920 made an annual appropriation of $13,000 which was supplemented by private subscriptions, and Arkansas entered upon an intensive campaign. The slogan, “Let’s sweep illiteracy out of Arkansas,” has met with a hearty response by the whole people of the state. Arkansas has apportioned a certain number of her illiterates to be reached within a definite time. One-fourth of them will be taught each year until the task is done. Governor Thomas C. McRae in the following proclamation declared “illiteracy is the greatest stain upon the state”:

Because I believe that the best way to reduce crime and poverty is through education of adults as well as children,

Because I believe that every man and woman in Arkansas has a right to an education,

Because I believe that the greatest stain upon our state is the condition of adult illiteracy. Nearly 100,000 men and women in Arkansas cannot write their names,

Because I believe that united effort on the part of the citizens of Arkansas will speedily eradicate this evil,

I hereby designate the week beginning February 5 and ending February 12, as “Illiteracy Week” to be known as such throughout the entire state.

I call upon the bankers, the lawyers, the merchants and the men of all stations in life to lend their efforts toward encouraging people to learn to read and write.

I call upon Rotary Clubs, Kiwanis Clubs, Lions Clubs, Civitan Clubs, Chambers of Commerce, Y. M. C. A.’s, Y. W. C. A.’s, K. of C.’s, S. I. A.’s, fraternal societies and lodges and all other organizations, be they small or great, to volunteer moral and financial aid in driving out our enemy, ignorance.