When children read, they can achieve their dreams. That is why Mary Salander, Everybody Wins DC’s co-founder and former Executive Director, has worked tirelessly to bring the magic of reading to children across the DC area. This year, EWDC is proud to honor Mary with the Read to Dream Founder’s Award. 

Mary and friend Joanie Chase co-founded EWDC in the spring of 1995, working with Congress to bring together a bipartisan team of Senators and Senate staff to read with elementary students for an hour a week during the school year. Modeled after a similar effort started a few years earlier in New York City, the idea was that through one-on-one attention, mentors could help children build their reading skills and fall in love with books.  

A few years later, Mary took on the role of Executive Director, expanding programs, launching new activities, and increasing the organization’s reach. During her time with EWDC, the organization served over 60,000 students, an incredible accomplishment. Her passion and vision made EWDC into what it is today: a high-impact nonprofit that supports literacy and social-emotional development and sparks reading joy for thousands of students across the greater DC area. To this day, Mary remains involved in EWDC as a supporter and volunteer.