Louisville’s first lady Rachel Greenberg advocates for education, youth literacy

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — It’s been a busy year for Louisville’s first lady, Rachel Greenberg.

Known for her volunteer efforts and advocacy for children, she’s made an impact in classrooms, communities and organizations across the city. Greenberg is making a difference one story at a time.

Last Wednesday, Rachel Greenberg started her day reading to the next generation of leaders at Dunn Elementary School, where her husband, Mayor Craig Greenberg, attended as a child.

For Greenberg, starting the day at a local school is a weekly ritual. At least once a week, she’s at a school, sharing the joy of reading with children.

“I’m an educator at heart, so I love being with students,” she said. "I love learning from kids. I’m a former JCPS school teacher, and I miss the classroom."

In recent months, Greenberg has visited 44 schools, some multiple times. From the west end to the east, she has read to thousands of students, listening as they express their thoughts and ideas.

“They say very similar things whether I’m in Valley Station, PRP, or Eastern High School,” Greenberg said. “But I love hearing their perspectives and ideas.”

As a former educator, Greenberg believes literacy is a key component in shaping a child’s future and steering them away from potential setbacks. She points to troubling statistics linking third-grade literacy rates to future incarceration rates.

“It’s not just what I think, it’s what the data shows," Greenberg said. "Third-grade literacy rates are often a predictor of future incarceration, and that’s something we need to change."

This belief fuels her commitment to programs like Thrive by 5 Louisville and Bezos Academy. She is also behind the Youth Ambassadors Leading Louisville (Y’ALL) program, which aims to enhance leadership skills in high school students.

“We want engagement. We want to provide opportunities for kids to make healthy choices and become leaders in our community,” Greenberg said. "Our first Y’ALL program graduation is coming up soon, and I’m excited to see the impact it’s having."

Greenberg is also dedicated to volunteering her time to local organizations, including the Family Scholar House, where she has become deeply involved. She speaks highly of its executive director, Cathe Dykstra, calling her a mentor and noting the positive impact the organization has on the lives of its participants.

“I’m amazed by the work Kathy is doing. It’s changing lives and shaping the future for entire generations,” Greenberg said. “It’s one of my favorite places to volunteer.”

As the first lady, Greenberg has remained committed to serving her community in a variety of ways, and her passion for education and giving back to the city is evident in her every action.

“I think Thrive by 5 is a game-changer for our city. The Bezos Academy is transforming lives in a positive way,” Greenberg said.

For Greenberg, the call to volunteer and give back is simple but profound.

“Every organization is looking for time, talent, and treasure,” Greenberg said. “You give what you can—whether it’s time, talent, or treasure—and you’ll always get more in return.”

As for her role as first lady, Greenberg doesn’t hesitate to embrace it fully, saying, “If someone asks me to help, I’m probably going to say yes. It means something to me.”

To learn more about the Y’ALL program, click here.

Other top stories: