BIRMINGHAM, AL (December 17, 2019) Lawson State Community College (LSCC) announced on December 6, 2019 that Mrs. Donzella Washington, an exceptional 2017 graduate of Lawson State, received her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Alabama Agricultural & Mechanical University (AAMU) at their annual Fall Commencement.

What makes this so special is that Mrs. Washington is 80-years-old and has committed her life to education and inspiring others. She made history by being the oldest woman to graduate from Alabama A&M, but for her, that journey began at Lawson State with a program offered as a pathway to the four-year institution.

She found herself in Birmingham, Alabama living with her daughter after relocating from California following the death of her husband, Jeff. Donzella enrolled at Lawson State in 2013 after learning about the AAMU @ LSCC program offered on campus that sponsors evening and weekend classes toward degree completion for undergraduate programs. She was able to take all of her A&M courses at Lawson State on the Birmingham Campus of Lawson State.

On Tuesday, December 17, 2019, City of Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin and the members of the Birmingham City Council honored Mrs. Washington—allowing her accomplishments to be mentioned first on the council agenda. She addressed the council after Mayor Woodfin shared a heartfelt letter commending her for her diligence and commitment to education. “I really want to inspire young people and adults who feel like their age has been a barrier,” said Mrs. Washington.

She has plans to continue her pursuit of education and hopes to enroll in the AAMU master’s program where she can again take classes on the Birmingham campus of Lawson State.

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