First Lady Crissy Haslam Hosts a Read20 Family Book Club Event Commemorating Women’s History Month

NASHVILLE – First Lady Crissy Haslam hosted a Read20 Family Book Club event commemorating Women’s History Month today at the Tennessee House of Representatives Chamber. Speaker Beth Harwell, Tennessee’s first female Speaker of the House, joined Mrs. Haslam in highlighting women’s history by sharing a book with children. First Lady Haslam and Speaker Harwell read together the March Book of the Month, Laurie Halse Anderson’s Independent Dames, featuring stories about women who influenced the Revolutionary War to approximately 60 4th grade students from Trinity Christian Academy in Jackson.

“I am very grateful that Speaker Harwell was able to join us in reading a book to celebrate Women’s History Month,” said Mrs. Haslam. “The election of Tennessee’s first female Speaker of the House is a historic time for our state. Students were able to practice essential reading skills today, with the bonus of learning important history.”

As First Lady of Tennessee, Mrs. Haslam has been promoting the value of reading at least 20 minutes each day by encouraging participation in her Read20 Family Book Club. Launched in June 2011, the book club gives Tennessee families a fun goal of reading together every day by featuring a new book and corresponding family friendly activities each month. Mrs. Haslam has hosted book club events at schools, community centers, and museums throughout the state to promote her Read20 message with students and families.

 “Reading is the foundation upon which the rest of learning is built,” Mrs. Haslam said. “If children and families across the state commit to reading at least 20 minutes each day, that’s a tremendous step toward a brighter future for Tennessee students.”

For more information about the Read20 Family Book Club visit www.tn.gov/read20, www.facebook.com/CrissyHaslam, follow @Read20TN on Twitter, or go to your local public library.