International Literacy Award
Mai Zaru
Dear colleagues,
I wanted to reach out to share with you an award that I just received. I am humbled and honored to be named amongst the International Literacy Association's 2025 30 Under 30 emerging leaders. This recognition reflects the hard work of so many in the fight for literacy and educational equity—not just in classrooms, but in communities where access and opportunity often feel out of reach. This award is as much a tribute to my roots as it is a reminder of the power of education and community to ignite change. I dedicate this recognition to all of you and everyone working tirelessly for a world where education is a right, not a privilege. The struggle is long, but with collective action, progress is possible.
Feel free to check out the profiles of the 2025 honorees featured in Literacy Today, ILA’s member magazine. To learn more about our stories, you can visit literacyworldwide.org/30 under30 or Literacy Today.
Be safe, and don't hesitate to reach out if there is anything I can do to help.
Warm regards,
Mai Zaru
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Mai W. Zaru (she/her/هي)
Postdoctoral Fellow
Southern Methodist University