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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
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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.