CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – India Woodson lost her grandmother 13 years ago.
She unexpectedly died of a heart attack, forever changing India’s life.
“We did everything together, so she kind of was like my rock. She was my best friend,” expressed India. “It was hard. But since I was little, I kind of like took that and was like, ‘Ok if I can help anybody, then that would be something more.’”
India’s mother, Shalita, suffers from a heart condition that doctors discovered after she gave birth to India three months premature.
Shalita says doctors worried India wouldn’t walk, let alone talk.
“She’s always been a fighter,” described India’s mother, Shalita Woodson.
Shalita says her daughter quickly thrived at a developmental center, excelling out of the program.
India has always been athletic. But, her mother says she’s always been really passionate about math and science.
“She wants to be able to help solve something for someone , and that’s her thing. She wants to be able to give back, get somebody some closure. I love how caring she is,” explained Shalita Woodson.
The Baldwin Wallace University freshman is majoring in Forensic Biology with a minor in Forensic Science.
India was picked from hundreds of applicants pursuing STEM careers to receive the Lorraine Dodero STEM Goes Red for Girls Scholarship.
India Woodson is one of 12 girls chosen, each awarded $5,000.
The winners were recognized at last year’s STEM Goes Red for Girls program, where hundreds of girls across Northeast Ohio participated.
India wrote a compelling essay about her mother and her beloved Bedford intermediate school principal Paul Ward Jr., who died from a heart attack in 2016.
It got the attention of the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women panel.
“We’re proud to support her and her dreams. That way it’s going to make a difference and not just better her, but Northeast Ohio,” said Jenna Perpar, STEM Goes Red for Girls Chair.
“STEM comes down to innovation, pushing us forward. The better off the world and everyone having a place in that. These girls knowing that they’re part of the solution,” described Perpar.
Women are making it their mission to make sure other girls succeed in STEM, becoming our future leaders.
“It’s amazing that there is an organization out there that’s striving to focus on women and STEM, and actually trying to make a beautiful change in the world,” said India Woodson.
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