The idea started with books and a belief that students can make a difference. It has now taken an Oak Lawn educator all the way to Paris.
Heather McCarthy, a middle school librarian, received a Gold award in Children’s Education at the internationally recognized Women Changing the World Awards. The program included more than 1,500 finalists from 97 countries, placing her work on a truly global stage.
The moment carries weight, but McCarthy views it as part of a much larger journey.
“This recognition is not a finish line,” she said. “It is a starting point for everything still to come. When communities come together and believe in children, extraordinary things become possible.”
Her work blends classroom learning with real-world impact. Students have been encouraged to think beyond their own community, learning about service, compassion and what it means to be a global citizen.
That mindset helped spark a major project: building a library at Musukwi Primary School in Zimbabwe. The effort brought together donors, students and supporters, all working toward a shared goal of expanding access to books and creating a space dedicated to learning.
June will mark another milestone when McCarthy travels to Zimbabwe for the library’s official opening. Donors and sponsors who helped make the project possible will be recognized during the visit.
Momentum continues to build. A new effort, Libraries for Zimbabwe, is set to officially launch in July, opening the door for more community partners and supporters to get involved.
The next phase carries an ambitious goal: raising $300,000 to build 12 additional libraries. Each space is meant to provide more than just books, offering students a place to learn, grow and imagine new possibilities.
Students back home in Illinois remain at the center of the mission. Their curiosity and compassion continue to shape the work in meaningful ways, McCarthy said.
“This award also belongs to my students,” she said. “They continue to show what compassion and leadership can look like, and they inspire this work every day.”
International attention may have elevated the effort, but the heart of it remains simple — helping young people see how far their actions can reach.