NewsCovering Kentucky

Actions

UK graduate celebrates 100th birthday with a car parade

100th Birthday
Posted at 9:14 PM, Jul 04, 2020
and last updated 2020-07-06 09:50:55-04

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — As people across the county celebrate America's birthday Saturday, Lexingtonians celebrated another special birthday this Independence Day.

Neighbors and friends gathered at Dr. Lorraine Rodriguez's home for a car parade. On Saturday, she turned 100 years old.

Over the course of the century, Rodriguez had a lot to celebrate. She married, had five children, and went back to school in her 50s to get a PhD in Microbiology at the University of Kentucky.

Rodriguez grew up on a family farm in Illinois and was a state champion in sewing during high school. In her later years, she collaborated with her husband, Rod Rodriguez, as an academic grant writer.

"I think she's just the epitome of all women, ya know?" Rodriguez's caregiver, Selena Blair, said. "Hats off to her."

Rodriguez's daughter, Carla Rodriguez, described her mother as a role model, and as an intelligent and optimistic woman.

"She's had an incredible life," Rodriguez said.