BETHESDA, Md. – At its reception earlier this month during AAPEX in Las Vegas, the Car Care Council Women’s Board (WB) presented Juanita Dodson of Red Boiling Springs, Tenn., with a $2,500 post-secondary scholarship, as part of the WB scholarship program, now in its sixth year.
Dodson attends Tennessee Technology Center at Livingston, where she is in the automotive technology program. She lists her career goals as achieving Master Technician certification from the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) and going on to “establish a chain of service centers that will offer affordable prices and deliver honest and reliable service.”
A single mother of three children, she spends a majority of her time outside of school involved in their activities, including Girl/Cub Scouts, basketball and volunteer work. She and her family regularly volunteer at local schools and nursing homes, and they played an integral part in the 2008 tornado relief in Macon County, Tenn. Dodson also enjoys landscape photography as her favorite hobby.
Dodson believes that the Women’s Board scholarship is important because it gives women confidence to move forward in a male-dominated industry.
“When I first started in the field, I always felt like I was the ‘oddball.’ I was the only woman in all my classes and the only woman at work. When I learned about the Women’s Board scholarship program, I was amazed to know I wasn’t alone. It means a lot to me to be recognized as part of something bigger,” said Dodson.
“The Women’s Board Scholarship Committee received applications from talented and deserving young women from all across the county, so I am thrilled to congratulate Juanita on her accomplishments and dedication to pursuing a career in the automotive industry,” said Katie Noga, WB president.
The comprehensive Women’s Board scholarship program awards scholarships not only to post-secondary students, but also to female high school students who plan on entering the automotive field upon graduation. This year, a $1,000 high school scholarship was awarded to Stephanie Spalding of Newburyport, Maine. Crystal Rossman of Madison, Wis. won the $1,500 technician scholarship.
