The Power of Stories: Marjorie Hudson’s Message
On May 15th, the Chatham Literacy community gathered at Governors Club in Chapel Hill for a truly inspiring event: the annual Spring for Literacy Luncheon. This year’s gathering was not only a celebration of storytelling and the power of literacy, but also a resounding success, raising $42,300 to support Chatham Literacy’s life-changing programs.
The luncheon’s keynote speaker was acclaimed local author Marjorie Hudson, who has called Chatham County home for the past 30 years. Hudson’s words resonated deeply with the audience of 200 as she reflected on the vital role stories have played throughout her life:
“Stories can comfort us when we’re sick. Find us friends when we’re lonely; distract us when we’re scared — and even help us find our courage to make a better world.”
Hudson shared memories of her childhood in Washington, D.C., where she found strength in the pages of books, meeting “heroic youngsters who always found courage, found their allies and ‘battled to the end.’” She emphasized that stories are essential — “like we need food and water.”
Finding Hope and Healing Through Books
Hudson spoke movingly about a recent personal experience during a bout with COVID-19. Feeling weak and isolated, she turned to a beloved series from her youth:
“By the time I was done, I had lived inside those stories for hours on end. And when I was done, I was different. I was refreshed. I gained a sense of peaceful hopefulness, and I could walk a little bit longer every day.”
She recalled how C.S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia “saved me for a while” as a child, even inspiring her to write to Lewis to ask if Narnia was real. Though she never received a reply, the books and their author left a lasting mark:
“I wanted to be like him someday, and he’s the first writer that made me want to be a writer. And I wanted to be not just any kind of writer, but the kind of writer who tells stories that can save your life and leave you changed, peaceful, refreshed, able to walk to the moon.”
Indigo Field: Stories for a Changing Chatham
Hudson’s award-winning novel, Indigo Field, is a testament to her belief in the transformative power of storytelling. The book, which won North Carolina’s prestigious Sir Walter Raleigh Award for fiction, explores themes of history, loss, and reconciliation in a rapidly changing Chatham County. As Hudson put it:
“I think he (Lewis) wrote those Narnia books out of a need to reinvent the world, making the world where children might suffer – but problems could be solved through connection, courage, and love – even if it was only in an imaginary world.”
Despite the changes in Chatham County, Hudson remains hopeful:
“As long as people show up to try to make a difference, Chatham County is still the place that I dreamed in Indigo Field, a place where difficult problems can be solved and people transformed through connection, courage and love. Come to think of it, Chatham County is a little bit like Narnia. We don’t need to find a magic wardrobe. We just need to find each other.”
Celebrating Literacy’s Impact
The luncheon also featured moving reflections from Joanne Caye, a dedicated volunteer tutor of 16 years, and Laura Valdez Escalante, a Chatham Literacy learner and aspiring U.S. citizen. Caye spoke about the resilience and determination of adult learners, while Valdez Escalante shared how Chatham Literacy’s classes helped her feel a true sense of belonging:
“I love this country,” said Valdez, who is eagerly awaiting her U.S. citizenship interview appointment.
Looking Ahead: 2025 Fall for Literacy Luncheon
Chatham Literacy’s next major event, the Fall for Literacy Luncheon, will take place on October 30th at the Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center in Pittsboro. This year’s featured speaker is journalist and author Steven Petrow, the 2024 N.C. Piedmont Laureate, known for his essays on aging, health, and civility.
Chatham Literacy helps adults acquire literacy and educational skills they need to function successfully in society. Their programs include ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages), U.S. Citizenship preparation, Adult Goal-Based Education programs tailored to meet each adult’s individualized literacy needs, Digital Literacy, and Financial Literacy.
For more information, go to chathamliteracy.org. To explore ways to support Chatham Literacy, including as a donor, event sponsor, or volunteer tutor, visit chathamliteracy.org/give/.