Potsdam Public Library Family Literacy Specialist Maria D. Morrison was recently honored with the Service Above Self Award by the Rotary Club of Potsdam at their annual meeting. Morrison is a SUNY Potsdam alumna and strong advocate for education in the North Country, using her skills to improve literacy and educational opportunities for those in need of assistance.
After the untimely death of her husband, Morrison put herself through college, earning a bachelor of arts degree in English literature and writing, and a master of science in teaching in English language arts.
Obtaining a teaching position upon graduation, she worked in public schools and St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES Adult Education for a decade teaching various subjects with her New York State teaching certification in ELA five through 12. Raising her three children as a single mother, and encouraging each of them in their educational pursuits, she also gave tirelessly to various programs in public schools.
She helped implement a successful ‘Freshman Academy’ program, built an innovative cross-curricular credit recovery program, mentored student teachers, served as the Franklin St. Lawrence County Educators Council representative, and engaged youth in her church as their Young Women’s Leader at both local and district levels.
Moving on to hold a literacy coordinator position with Literacy of Northern New York in 2015, she recruited, trained, and assigned volunteer tutors for basic literacy and English as a Second Language throughout the North Country, until the United Way cancelled funding for St. Lawrence County. Morrison then teamed up with the Potsdam Public Library to create a new program called “Literacy IS For Everyone” – or “LIFE” -- which now provides many opportunities for adult and family literacy improvement.
One aspect of LIFE is funding and placement of Little Free Libraries in various communities as well as the SHELFIES! program instituted in 2016, to provide free books to community members of all ages. She places small free libraries in various local businesses, monitors them, and restocks them as needed.
In fundraising for these endeavors, Morrison has brought together college fraternities, veterans groups, motorcycle clubs, young professionals, as well as other organizations and many private citizens.
Her strong dedication to the local community convinced the St. Lawrence Chapter of New York State Women Inc. to name her “St. Lawrence County’s Woman of the Year for 2015.”
Morrison's connections to area churches, schools, and charity organizations have made her well-known as a source of assistance. She goes above and beyond in cultivating relationships and actively supporting those who express needs in lifetime learning opportunities, education, and self-improvement.
The Potsdam Rotary Club meets each Wednesday at noon at the Potsdam Town Hall community room in Potsdam and online. Guests are welcome.
Left to right: 2024-25 President Sunday Smith, Morrison, Rotarian Mary Sue Foster, and 2024-25 District Governor Teresa Whitmore.