On Thursday, April 10, during Junior League of Macon’s (JLM) Spring Soiree, Mayor Lester Miller was recognized as a 2025 Literacy Hero for his years of service on the Bibb County School Board and starting the Macon-Bibb Mayor’s Literacy Alliance. 

“It’s an honor to be recognized by the Junior League of Macon for my love for literacy and making sure every child and family has access to succeed in it,” said Mayor Lester Miller.  

The event featured local food and entertainment to raise money for JLM’s volunteer efforts with the Brookdale Resource Center, Washington Memorial Library, and Macon Periods Easier. Mayor Miller received this award along with the Head of Washington Memorial Library, Kate Aultman, who has developed and implemented nationally recognized modernized programming and services to local library patrons. 

“As Mayor Miller himself has said, improving literacy is at the core of helping all people build a better future. He understands that it’s not just a classroom issue, it’s a community issue,” said JLM President Evelyn Lopater. “And his leadership in this space is helping ensure that children, adults, and families have access to the services and resources they need to learn, grow, and succeed.” 

JLM is an organization of women whose mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration and training. Members include local philanthropic and government leaders, such as Beverly Knight Olson, Kathryn Dennis, Rebecca Grist, and Wimberly Treadwell. For more than a century, generations of local women in the organization have improved our community through providing volunteers and funding for the Macon Museum of Arts and Sciences, the Ronald McDonald House of Central Georgia, and the handicap-accessible playground at Amerson River Park. Since 2009, the sole focus areas of JLM’s efforts have been early childhood literacy and school readiness.