Lillian Tidtrick of St. Joe’s among those to win scholarship

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The American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit  organization focused on heart and brain health for all, is pleased to announce the 2021 recipients of the Lorraine Dodero STEM Goes Red for Girls Scholarship. Area high school  students Kate Auletta of University Heights (Beaumont School); Moira Burke of Westlake  (St. Angela Merici School); Abigail Collins of Avon Lake (Saint Joseph Academy); Elizabeth  Horwitz of Chagrin Falls (Gilmour Academy); and Lillian Tidtrick of Cleveland (Saint  Joseph Academy) will each receive a $5,000 award in recognition of their hard work and  determination.  

The American Heart Association’s Lorraine Dodero STEM Goes Red for Girls Scholarship was created in 2019 with the goal of helping students interested in pursuing careers in a  STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) field achieve their goals.  

“I am passionate,” says Dodero, the trustee and chairman of the Sam J. Frankino  Foundation, “about helping young women pursue their goals in STEM. These five students,  through their intellect and scholarship, are our future leaders in science, technology,  engineering, and math fields. They all have bright futures ahead of them; I am honored to  be a part of their journeys in STEM.”  

Adds Valerie Hillow Gates, the American Heart Association’s executive director: “Studies  show that women are grossly underrepresented in research and STEM fields. Lorraine is a  visionary leader in the Cleveland community who is helping develop a robust pipeline of  innovators. These young minds could develop the research, technology and discoveries  that will someday eliminate heart disease and stroke and ensure health equity in our  communities.” 

Currently, nearly 8 million science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) jobs are  available in the United States, yet most U.S. students will be unprepared for a future  career in these roles. Moreover, only 3 out of 100 female bachelor’s degree students  continue to work in STEM fields after graduating. Female professionals only account for  34% of practicing physicians and 38% of medical researchers in the U.S.  

“As the nation’s oldest and largest volunteer-driven, woman-led, non-profit dedicated to  fighting heart disease and stroke,” adds Gates, “the American Heart Association  understands the pressing need for more women to pursue careers in STEM. Lorraine is 

Cleveland Go Red For Women – 2 

committed to creating opportunities for girls in our region to build confidence, set  ambitious goals, and see themselves as future STEM leaders.” 

The Lorraine Dodero STEM Goes Red for Girls scholarship was first announced at the  Association’s STEM Goes Red for Girls event in 2019. Each year, the event, now heading  into its 5th year in the spring of 2022, empowers young women to close the gender gap,  pursue STEM careers and become driving forces for health in our community. STEM Goes  Red for Girls inspires an extraordinary group of local elementary to high school girls to  explore STEM outside the classroom while also learning how to take charge of their health  and well-being. Students, mentors, and professional attendees hear insightful talks from  leading innovators on industry trends, network and make memorable connections, glean  invaluable insights into women’s health, and fight the #1 killer of women -– heart disease.  It is part of the Go Red for Women movement, of which Dodero is a past Campaign Chair. 

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