Sharon Darling, president and founder of the National Center for Family Literacy (NCFL) in Louisville, Kentucky, has been a teacher, administrator and educational entrepreneur, challenging the status quo and developing new methods of educating families.

As a pioneer in education, Ms. Darling serves as an advisor on education issues to governors, policy makers, business leaders and foundations throughout the nation. In doing so, she provides them with advice and planning strategies for strengthening families through education and moving them toward literacy and self-sufficiency--key issues associated with breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty. Her work has been instrumental in shaping state and federal policies and laws that address critical societal issues such as welfare reform, education reform and the development of the skilled workforce of tomorrow.

Ms. Darling continues to receive recognition for her groundbreaking work and leadership in education. Her many awards and recognitions include:

• The National Humanities Medal awarded by the President of the United States
• Razor Walker Award from the University of North Carolina
• The National Humanities Medal awarded by the President of the United States
• Razor Walker Award from the University of North Carolina
• Woman of Distinction Award, Birmingham Southern University
• Albert Schweitzer Prize for Humanitarianism, Johns Hopkins University
• Charles A. Dana Award for Pioneering Achievement in Education
• The Harold W. McGraw Award for Outstanding Educator
• National Caring Award recipient
• Frederick Douglass Museum and Hall of Fame inductee for Caring Americans on Capitol Hill