Literacy center founder is selected as candidate in a national contest

LEHI — The volunteer founder of the Rippy Literacy Center in the Lehi City Library is among 13 women selected for a cosmetic company's annual Women of Worth honor.

Hester Rippy has already won a $2,500 award from L'Oreal Paris for the literacy center, and if she's the top vote-getter nationally she could win $25,000 for the literacy center. Another $2,500 will be awarded in her name to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.

Voting is online at www.womenofworth.com and ends Monday. Jean Hatch, who oversees senior citizen volunteer efforts, nominated Rippy.

The 13 honorees will be recognized at a gala event in New York City.

The Lehi Rippy Literacy Center teaches children and adults to read, learn math and computer skills and has recently added a course in Spanish for emergency responders. Rippy refers to her students as tutors in training since many of them become tutors after they become skilled, Hatch said.