Ruth Graves is president emerita of Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), an institution she headed as CEO from 1975 to 1997. She guided RIF to its present status as America's foremost children's literacy organization, increasing its reach from 313,000 children and 8,000 volunteers to 3.7 million children and 219,000 volunteers throughout the US, and extending its activities into the United Kingdom and Argentina. She introduced innovative programs, and secured support through alliances with government, corporations, foundations, and service groups. Ms. Graves has been a frequent media spokesperson on literacy and nonprofits; authored articles and edited a book on these subjects; and has served on advisory councils for education, government, and media organizations. She served as a member of a US Presidential Committee; as director of a federal antipoverty program for migrant farmworkers; a teacher at levels from preschool through college; and a management consultant. Her numerous awards include one of the US Government's highest for exemplary public service, the first woman so honored. She earned her M.A. degree in history and literature from the University of Texas and pursued further graduate studies at George Washington University.