Empowering adults with the literacy skills to thrive as workers, family members, and citizens.

Our state is appearing in national newspapers. This is the second time in this decade that unrest in Minnesota has highlighted a real national challenge. It is also a time when Minnesotans rise to the challenge of leading our state, and our nation through these hard times.

When the media from around the world wants to understand how changes in U.S. federal immigration policies are affecting the people without voices, they turn to a longtime leader in adult basic education. Jane Graupman, Executive Director of the International Institute of Minnesota and chair of the Saint Paul Community Literacy Consortium, leads programs that have garnered national recognition, including a Medical Careers Pathway, a top-performing refugee resettlement department, and anti-human trafficking services. Beyond program development, Jane has been a steadfast advocate for immigrants’ rights both in Minnesota and nationally. She has led the Institute’s participation in over 90 community outreach events, engaging more than 4,000 individuals in the past two years.

Being engrossed in the community allows her to speak for ABE students. In a recent Washington Post article, Jane was quoted describing the families she has met, “They are working, they are supporting their families, they are sending their kids to American schools, they are learning English.” She has also been a voice on MPR radio, and CBS news. Making sure that the world knows how ABE learners are affected by policy changes.

In the years to come, there will be more changes in our future. There always will be a need for ABE leadership to bring forth the voices of our learners. Jane Graupman offers an example of how we can all lead in hard times. The path to good times is through each of us leading through hard times.