Welthy Honsinger Fisher
Encyclopedia
Welthy Honsinger Fisher was the American founder of World Education and World Literacy Canada. Welthy was married to Frederick Bohn Fisher
, a Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, missionary, author, and Official in Methodist Missionary and Men's movements. Welthy was an intellectual, activist, and feminist requested by friend Mohandas Gandhi to begin Literacy House outside of Lucknow, India at the age of 73.
on September 18, 1879.
in 1900, Welthy became a teacher at Rosebud College, a one-room school in Haverstraw, New York
, where she was in charge of 15 students. In 1906, Welthy become the headmistress of the Bao Lin School in Nanchang
, which was the only school for girls in the province of 45 million people. While there, she encouraged her girls to develop into new, modern Chinese women, often against the wishes of their traditional parents. She was committed to the idea of women's independence, however, and knew that if she could give them the tools they needed through education, they could change the face of China.
. The Fishers were well-acquainted with and respected by Gandhi and other prominent leaders of the Indian Independence movement. Following her husband's death in 1938, wrote her husband's biography and traveled widely, returning to China and then to India.
In 1952, at the age of 73, Welthy returned to India to work with Frank Laubach
, the Christian Evangelical missionary and literacy pioneer. Deciding that literacy training linked with agricultural and industrial development was a key strategy to eradicate poverty, Welthy broke with Laubach. In 1953, she founded Literacy House at Allahabad, a small, non-formal school that combined literacy with vocational training.
in 1956, Literacy House moved to Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, where it became famous for its effectiveness.
Realizing the need for literacy programs linked with social and economic development throughout the world, Welthy and her fellow literacy pioneers started two non-profit organizations, World Education (in 1951, which started as World Literacy) and the World Literacy of Canada (in 1955). Welthy closely involved in both organizations for many years, either as President or an advisor. Throughout her nineties, she traveled throughout the world. Welthy made her final trip to India as a government guest in 1980, shortly before her death at the age of 101 in Southbury, Connecticut.
Fisher was honored by the Indian government, which based its village literacy programs on her ideas, and issued a stamp in her likeness.
Frederick Bohn Fisher
Frederick Bohn Fisher was a Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, elected in 1920. He also gained notability as a Pastor, a Missionary, an Author, and as an Official in Methodist Missionary and Men's movements....
, a Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, missionary, author, and Official in Methodist Missionary and Men's movements. Welthy was an intellectual, activist, and feminist requested by friend Mohandas Gandhi to begin Literacy House outside of Lucknow, India at the age of 73.
Birth and family
Welthy Blakesley Honsinger was born in Rome, New YorkRome, New York
Rome is a city in Oneida County, New York, United States. It is located in north-central or "upstate" New York. The population was 44,797 at the 2010 census. It is in New York's 24th congressional district. In 1758, British forces began construction of Fort Stanwix at this strategic location, but...
on September 18, 1879.
Education and Early Work
After graduating from Syracuse UniversitySyracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
in 1900, Welthy became a teacher at Rosebud College, a one-room school in Haverstraw, New York
Haverstraw, New York
Haverstraw is the name of two locations in Rockland County, New York:*Haverstraw, New York, a town*Haverstraw , New York, a village located entirely within the townIt may also refer to:*West Haverstraw, New York*Haverstraw Bay*Haverstraw Indians...
, where she was in charge of 15 students. In 1906, Welthy become the headmistress of the Bao Lin School in Nanchang
Nanchang
Nanchang is the capital of Jiangxi Province in southeastern China. It is located in the north-central portion of the province. As it is bounded on the west by the Jiuling Mountains, and on the east by Poyang Lake, it is famous for its scenery, rich history and cultural sites...
, which was the only school for girls in the province of 45 million people. While there, she encouraged her girls to develop into new, modern Chinese women, often against the wishes of their traditional parents. She was committed to the idea of women's independence, however, and knew that if she could give them the tools they needed through education, they could change the face of China.
Personal life
In 1924 she married Frederick Bohn FisherFrederick Bohn Fisher
Frederick Bohn Fisher was a Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, elected in 1920. He also gained notability as a Pastor, a Missionary, an Author, and as an Official in Methodist Missionary and Men's movements....
. The Fishers were well-acquainted with and respected by Gandhi and other prominent leaders of the Indian Independence movement. Following her husband's death in 1938, wrote her husband's biography and traveled widely, returning to China and then to India.
Literacy work
During the 1940s, Welthy spent "semesters" studying the educational systems of Mexico, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, India and the Middle East. During this time she studied women and educational systems, and lectured throughout the U.S. on women of the world and Chinese Industrial Cooperatives. In December, 1947, six weeks before his death, Gandhi urged Welthy to return to his country to continue her work in education in India's villages.In 1952, at the age of 73, Welthy returned to India to work with Frank Laubach
Frank Laubach
Frank Charles Laubach was an Evangelical Christian missionary and mystic known as "The Apostle to the Illiterates." In 1935, while working at a remote location in the Philippines, he developed the "Each One Teach One" literacy program. It has been used to teach about 60 million people to read in...
, the Christian Evangelical missionary and literacy pioneer. Deciding that literacy training linked with agricultural and industrial development was a key strategy to eradicate poverty, Welthy broke with Laubach. In 1953, she founded Literacy House at Allahabad, a small, non-formal school that combined literacy with vocational training.
in 1956, Literacy House moved to Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, where it became famous for its effectiveness.
Realizing the need for literacy programs linked with social and economic development throughout the world, Welthy and her fellow literacy pioneers started two non-profit organizations, World Education (in 1951, which started as World Literacy) and the World Literacy of Canada (in 1955). Welthy closely involved in both organizations for many years, either as President or an advisor. Throughout her nineties, she traveled throughout the world. Welthy made her final trip to India as a government guest in 1980, shortly before her death at the age of 101 in Southbury, Connecticut.
Fisher was honored by the Indian government, which based its village literacy programs on her ideas, and issued a stamp in her likeness.
Awards and honors
- 1964 Ramon Magsaysay AwardRamon Magsaysay AwardThe Ramon Magsaysay Award is an annual award established to perpetuate former Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay's example of integrity in government, courageous service to the people, and pragmatic idealism within a democratic society. The Ramon Magsaysay Award is often considered Asia's Nobel...
for International Understanding.
- On March 18, 1980, the Government of India issued a Welthy Honsinger Fisher commemorative postage stamp; she is the only American to be so honored.