Media literacy leader seeks to pass torch on to new generation

Published: 2006-06-14

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Sister Elizabeth Thoman, a member of the Congregation of the Humility of Mary, has toiled in the field of media literacy for nearly 30 years. In 1977, when she founded the Center for Media Literacy in Los Angeles, Betamax videocassettes were the big technological advance. Betamax was supplanted by VHS tapes, which in turn have been reduced to minority status by DVDs, which themselves are being crowded out by video-on-demand and Internet downloads into computers and cell phones. But Sister Thoman's stick-to-itiveness throughout a generation of technological change was recognized June 13 in Washington when she received a Cable's Leaders in Learning Award for creating and implementing innovative ways to educate students and for making a substantial contribution to the field of media literacy education. "I'm nearing retirement," said Sister Thoman, who was to turn 63 years old June 18. "You reach a certain point, thinking that you've got to pass it on to the next generation. In your 60s, you get generative: How do you give away what you've got so you can let it go on? I'm looking to develop new leadership and pass on the wisdom that I know."

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