Helen Woodyard, an African American grandmother from Waco, Georgia, attends West Georgia Technical College at 90 while working toward her GED. She drives herself to class three times a week, studies every night, and aims to encourage other older adults to return to learning.
Her journey began when she first enrolled at West Georgia Technical College at 88, according to 11Alive. Inspired after seeing her children complete their own degrees, she decided to pursue her own education and started from the beginning.
She found her footing in the classroom, and Math quickly became her favorite subject. Woodyard learned how to use a scientific calculator and work with computer programs needed for her exams, building skills she had never formally trained in. She credits her adult education instructors for helping her master these new skills.
“When I came to class on my first day, it was like I had never left, even 80 years later,” she said. “It’s never too late to pursue your education or get your GED. Nothing is going to come to you if you sit there and wait for it.”
Her routine stays consistent. She shows up for class, keeps up with her lessons, and continues pushing forward in her studies. The focus remains on completing her GED. Beyond her own goal, Woodyard plans to support others once she earns her diploma. She hopes to help older adults learn to read and write, turning her own education journey into a way to uplift others.
SOURCE: blacknews.com