Our Vision

Words Heal, Inc. will be the leader in providing recommendations and research supporting the use of literature by underrepresented people to cope with life’s struggles and resolve conflict.  We will use our diverse corps of staff and volunteers to reach conflict resolution professionals, mental health and health practitioners, public libraries and the general public to increase the use of bibliotherapy. Our work will help contribute to the health of our society using words that heal to reduce social isolation and loneliness.​

Our Mission

​Words Heal, Inc. - The Sadie Peterson Delaney Literary Collaborative is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to reduce loneliness and social isolation through bibliotherapy and tailored information access. We create and support access to resources that reflect the lived experiences of people of color, of faith, of advanced age or who live with disabilities. 

We promote the therapeutic use of books and information as connectors, against crisis and conflict, for informed decisions and helpful action.​

Our Legacy

Sadie Peterson Delaney
Sadie Peterson Delaney. Photo courtesy of Tuskegee University Archives and supplied by Prof. Megan Sweeney (English Language and Literature and Afroamerican and African Studies), Fall 2010 Faculty Seed Grant Recipient for The Gardener Who Prepared the Soil: Sadie Peterson Delaney--Librarian and Bibliotherapist
Sadie Peterson Delaney
Image courtesy of Wikipedia.
Who was Sadie Peterson Delaney?

Born in Rochester, New York in February 1889, Sadie P. Delaney received her professional training in the New York Public Library.

Mrs. Delaney was a pioneer in the field of bibliotherapy, being recognized first for her work with immigrants and troubled children at the New York Public Library, where she found ways to help patrons using reading materials for therapy.  Mrs. Delaney also founded the first black professional women's club in New York City. 

At the Veteran's Hospital in Tuskegee, Alabama, Mrs. Delaney used bibliotherapy and group therapy for the mentally ill and disabled, special Braille therapy for the blind and other related activities at the hospital library. 

For this work, she won international acclaim, receiving 
numerous awards, honors and citations. She founded and an had a special interest in many organizations related to African-American history and culture. Her mission was to create opportunities for all people to access and benefit from literature. 

For over three decades, she served as the chief librarian at the Veterans Administration Hospital, where she started a special library for the blind.  She received an honorary doctorate degree from Atlanta University. She died in 1958. Dr. Delaney was recognized as one of the 100 most important leaders of the 20th century by American Libraries.

For more information on her life and work, start here. 
JOIN US!

Words Heal, Inc. welcomes "quick-starters with a positive attitude". We are always looking for board members, team members and volunteers with diverse backgrounds and interests. We are especially excited to welcome people with experience working with our target populations:
  • Minorities
  • Elderly Persons
  • Faith Communities
  • Individuals with Special Needs or Exceptional Abilities

Get started ---> Complete our Volunteer Interest Form if you are interested in donating some time to promote bibliotherapy, mediation, publishing, marketing, fundraising, writer's development and/or training.

Board of Directors (Click on the picture for biographical summaries)

Officers & Staff  (Click on the picture for biographical summaries)

Advisory Board (Click on the picture for biographical summaries)

Past Volunteers & Professionals
...Who have contributed to our mission, THANK YOU!

Kimiko, Transcriber (Not pictured)