"I was going through a real transition in my own life and I had a lot of energy that I needed to put somewhere. Literacy gave me a place but when I think about it, literacy gave me so much more than that."

"I was a young person and I realized for the first time that I had a lot of skills, a lot of talent. I discovered that through my literacy work I had a place to put that talent, a place that was 'higher than myself', or 'beyond myself'. I felt it was my responsibility to do something constructive with my talents. Literacy brought that out in me. It was the catalyst."

It was a natural response for Joanne to take the constructive use of her talents seriously. "I was raised by women who were educated, assertive, independent and above all, generous spirits. In a low-key way (in the 1950's and 60's) they were involved in social justice and community building. Their legacy of social justice really influenced me. I thought, 'that's my power as a woman'. I realized I may never be a scientist or have a doctorate in education - but with literacy there was something I could do, so I went for it."

"Literacy is more than just teaching; it's public relations and it's social activism. Literacy gave me so many growing opportunities and it gave me a purpose. I had tremendous freedom while I was working with and helping students. I wasn't closely supervised so I could take my ideas and go with them. I learned a lot from experience. Best of all, I learned to respect my own way of learning and my own way of being in the world."

Even though Joanne is still young (in her early 30's) she has been involved in literacy work for a long time. I asked Joanne what the field of literacy was like when the literacy movement was just beginning in Alberta. "I certainly have seen a lot of changes", Joanne said, "mostly in the growth of the number of programs. At the time that I first got involved there were I think 6 literacy programs - one at Lakeland College in Cold Lake, one at Olds College, the Prospects Program in Edmonton, one in Lethbridge, Lorna Bell's kitchen classroom in the North and the one at Red Deer College. Mary Norron was the Literacy Consultant with Community Programs Branch of Advanced Education (which used to be called Further Education Services) and once or twice a year we would get together and talk about our programs."

"We would talk about training, hands-on ideas for working with tutors, how to evaluate our programs and funding - the same kinds of the things we talk about today, only today we are more sure of ourselves and have a fresher vision."

"And there is a good beginning of learner involvement now with learner conferences and committees. Sometimes we forget that there has always been learner involvement; it just wasn't organized on such a large scale before."

"People who work in literacy are more organized now. There is a really active network with a lot of information sharing. We now have legitimate forums for people to share their concerns and their knowledge. Our voices are getting stronger. Now we are more involved in what is happening to us and to our programs. Literacy work is becoming more of a profession."

We took a break to enjoy our dinner. Over coffee Joanne told me how much she has enjoyed her first 3 months in the North. She has fallen in love with the beauty of the North and the warmth of the people. And at this stage in her own development her job is suiting her well. Abe Janzen is Joanne's supervisor; she described him as a strong leader who is "kind, creative, and honest."

"It has taken me 9 years in literacy to find a director who is such a terrific adult educator. Abe believes in the value of intuition and that has given me the freedom to try new things in the North. He lets me be me; it's just wonderful to be spontaneous again."