News and event information for Williams Lake, BC - as it happens.

By LeRae Haynes

Former Williams Lake resident Jeannie Stevenson Spence was awarded the Dr. Middleton Workplace Literacy and Learning Award recently for her years of working for workplace literacy at the Hastings Racecourse in Vancouver.

(Photo:  Jeannie is pictured here with her mare 'Real Candy.')

The Dr. Alan Middleton Workplace Literacy and Learning Award recognizes an individual for their outstanding achievement in increasing workplace literacy and essential skills in their community. Life Literacy Ambassadors include authors Joy Fielding and Robert Munsch, and Lesra Martin, the lawyer whose personal literacy journey was told through the 2003 Hollywood movie ‘The Hurricane’ staring Denzel Washington.

“It was wonderful meeting Lesra Martin: what an amazing young man,” Jeannie said. “He was really interested in our racetrack learning program and he and his wife, both lawyers, came out for a visit.”

She said that another winner at the ceremony was ‘Barenaked Ladies’, who were awarded The Honourable Joyce Fairbairn, P.C. Literacy Public Awareness Award for exceptional contributions to literacy in Canada.

A horse trainer and breeder, Jeannie has spent over 30 years as a creator and devoted advocate for the Hastings Learning Centre at the racetrack, wherever hundreds of learners are welcomed for tutoring, group classes and drop-in learning.

She is a Director of the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) of BC, which has affiliates at most race tracks in North America. The motto is ‘Horsemen helping Horsemen’ and Jeannie has helped put that motto ‘on the page’ for hundreds of people over the years, from preschoolers to seniors.

(Photo:  Jeannie had the opportunity to meet Princess Margaret during a royal visit to Williams Lake.)

The people behind the scenes at the track became her family and her involvement in literacy began when she realized how many people, such as trainers, grooms, walkers, kitchen staff and maintenance people — did not know how to read.

“The majority of illiterate people are ashamed and it takes a lot to ‘come out of the closet’ and admit they can't read,” she said. “One example is Delbert, a left-handed jockey—teachers made him write with his right hand and then chastised him for being messy. He quit school in Grade 4.

“I had him reading in less than six months, and he could fill out forms such as his passport,” she continued. “He would say he would rather be in a four-horse pileup than try to write even a cheque.

“Many of the adults, who were illiterate, have completed Grade 12. We are affiliated with Capilano College and offer a GED program. We are open seven days a week and also have a free clothes rack, an Art Circle, and two rooms with six computers for our Learning Centre.”

She said that each week they have a free ‘burgers and beans’ night, and are planting a Community Garden this year, adding that none of it could be done without the support of the tutors, the HBPA and the Hastings Racetrack management.

Jeannie grew up in Williams Lake, the daughter of Doug and Anne Stevenson, and her life was a unique blend of the love of learning and education and a love for horses. She got her start on the race track at the Williams Lake Stampede Grounds, riding for race horse owners when she was about 11 years old.

Jeannie said that to her mom and dad, education was everything, and that they held it over her that if her marks weren’t high enough, she couldn’t have horses. “They always encouraged us to be the best that we could at whatever we did and said that the sky was the limit and to follow our dreams,” she continued.

“With our mother being an English teacher, and our father being a lover of reading, our house was always overflowing with books, so my sisters Liz and Rhona and I were introduced to books since we were babies,” she said.

She said that one of the first books she remembers is ‘Eddy the Elephant,’ adding that as a child she was determined to go to Africa and bring back a monkey. “I loved the story of Ferdinand the Bull, who loved to smell flowers instead of fight,” she explained. “My favorite stories were usually about animals, but of course I read the Nancy Drew and Hardy boys novels as well.”

When she was 10 years old Jeannie used to write to horse breeders in the US, and said that many of them were kind enough to send her an answer with pictures of their horses.

“I’m sure my parents always thought I would get over my love for horses and racing, but I never did. I put myself through university at UBC on scholarships and money won from barrel racing and jockeying.”

She said that it is true that it takes a whole village to raise a child. She attributes her success to all the people in Williams Lake who encouraged and supported her in her love for horses, and who took the time to share their knowledge and passion with a young girl whose best moments on earth were on the back of a horse.

She said that that it’s easy to take for granted knowing how to read. “Just try to understand a book or a sign in another language,” she suggested. “You hope there are pictures so you have a clue what the book or the sign is about.

“Imagine if that was the world you lived in. I am so proud of the people I have taught to read; it is a special bond we have for life. They are so grateful, but I am so proud of their bravery,” she continued. “They are extremely intelligent, otherwise they wouldn't be able to fool so many people and compensate for so long about their inability to read.

“Learning to read is such an amazing thing. It opens up a whole new world.”

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