Impacting Huntsville's Children: The Story of Read Aloud Alabama with Katherine Enfinger Orton

Katherine Enfinger Orton on Read Aloud Alabama and Building Legacy Through LiteracyHost Tanya Hendrix interviews Katherine Enfinger Orton on Legacy Her Way about legacy as present-day choices and community impact in Huntsville. A fourth-generation Huntsvillian with deep Hayes family roots, Katherine shares how service and community responsibility shaped her upbringing, especially through her great-grandfather and the love of reading instilled by her grandmothers. Inspired by a similar program in West Virginia, she founded the nonprofit Read Aloud Alabama to recruit volunteers to read weekly in Huntsville City Schools, emphasizing both literacy growth and the self-esteem built through consistent presence. She describes emotional, enthusiastic student responses, discusses challenges with outreach and marketing, and encourages women to start by building a supportive community for their ideas. Katherine also reflects on harmony over balance, “moving the needle,” downtown revitalization work with Downtown 47, and ways to help through volunteering, spreading the word, and donating books or funds.00:00 Welcome to Legacy01:38 Meet Katherine Orton03:27 Growing Up With Legacy05:42 Starting Read Aloud07:22 Why Reading Matters10:14 Kids Reactions12:26 From Idea to Action14:31 Harmony and Motherhood18:53 Marketing and Outreach22:27 Redefining Legacy28:33 Owning Your Life30:29 Helping Huntsville Thrive33:06 How to Support Read Aloud35:34 Legacy Her Way36:49 Closing ThanksVolunteer or Donate to Read Aloud Alabama by CLICKING HEREVisit Read Aloud Alabama on Instagram HEREConnect with Tanya at Huntsville Estate Planning Lawyer LLC