Ruth Colvin, who taught the world to read, is dead at 107 [Video]

Syracuse, N.Y. — Ruth Colvin, who pioneered adult literacy education and continued to tutor adults well after she turned 100, has died at 107.

Colvin’s death was confirmed by Laura McLoughlin of ProLiteracy, the worldwide literacy organization that grew out of the effort Colvin started in her Syracuse basement in 1962.

Colvin died Sunday at that same home.

Colvin started Literacy Volunteers of America in 1962.

In 2002, that organization merged with Laubach Literacy International to become ProLiteracy, which is still based in Syracuse.

Another group, Literacy CNY, continued the one-on-one tutoring work locally. Colvin continued to be involved in that work well into her 100s.

She personally taught hundreds of people to read, often at her kitchen table.

Colvin’s work has been honored in numerous ways, including a Presidential Medal of Freedom from President George Bush in 2006, the President’s Volunteer Action Award in 1987 from President Ronald Reagan. She was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 1993.

Colvin is …