Charlotte Woodward

How did you choose your degree program?

I have always wanted to make a difference in the world. As someone who was born with Down syndrome, I have had to learn how to advocate for myself and my rightful place in this world. As a Sociology major with a concentration in Inequality and Social Change, I can understand, and convey through my advocacy, the larger societal, structural issues that need to be addressed to make the world a better place for people with disabilities and others who face discrimination.

How did your academic experiences in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences impact you?

I have been able to establish connections with all of my professors, enriching my studies, and leading to numerous opportunities such as leading a class on issues faced by the disability community, speaking on a panel with other students with disabilities, and contributing to a book written by Dr. Angela Hattery and Dr. Earl Smith. My academic experiences have dovetailed with my work at the National Down Syndrome Society and make me a very valuable NDSS team member.

What accomplishment(s) during your time at Mason are you most proud of?

I am very proud of my academic record and all of the honors and awards I have received, such as the Mason Trailblazer Award. I am also very proud to have exposed my professors and classmates to the lived experiences of people with disabilities, including my own.

Are there faculty or staff members who made a difference during your Mason career? Please give an example of this impact if possible.

I would like to thank each and every one of my professors in the Sociology department for teaching me and inspiring me and most of all, for including me. I would especially like to thank Dr. Joseph Scimecca for always emphasizing the moral imperative and for encouraging me to go beyond the ivory tower of academia and to pursue public sociology to work towards positive change.

What are your current career plans following graduation? What are your long-term career goals?

I currently work at the National Down Syndrome Society and am very involved in local, state and national disability advocacy work for which I do a great deal of public speaking. I plan to continue this, and hope to one day run for political office to give representation to people with disabilities.