Sasha Grey -- I Will NOT Quit Reading to Elementary Schoolchildren

Porn legend Sasha Grey says she will NOT back out of a national elementary school reading program -- despite pressure from parents -- claiming she will "not live in fear" of her XXX past.

TMZ broke the story ... Grey -- who once won a Best Oral Sex award for her role in "Throat: A Cautionary Tale" -- participated in the "Read Across America" program at Emerson Elementary School in Compton, CA last week.

Afterward, the school received complaints for letting Grey around the kids. For the record, Grey has been out of the adult business for 2 years.

Now, Sasha has released a statement ... saying, "I committed to this program with the understanding that people would have their own opinions about what I have done, who I am and what I represent."

She adds, "I am an actor. I am an artist. I am a daughter. I am a sister. I am a partner. I have a past that some people may not agree with, but it does not define who I am."

"I believe in the future of our children, and I will remain an active supporter and participant in education-focused initiatives."

SASHA'S STATEMENT:

"I am proud to have participated in the "Read Across America" program at Emerson Elementary School in Compton, CA. I read “Dog Breath” by Dav Pilkey to the sweetest 1st and 3rd grade children.

"Read Across America" is a program that was designed to promote literacy and instill a lifelong love of reading in elementary school students. Promoting education is an effort that is close to my heart. Illiteracy contributes to poverty; encouraging children to pick up a book is fundamental.

I believe education is a universal right. I committed to this program with the understanding that people would have their own opinions about what I have done, who I am and what I represent.

I am an actor. I am an artist. I am a daughter. I am a sister. I am a partner. I have a past that some people may not agree with, but it does not define who I am.

I will not live in fear of it. To challenge non-profit education programs is an exercise in futility, counter-productive and anti-educational.