The People Project:
Dr. Angela Wood
By Ashley & Andrew LeSaicherre | January 6, 2024
Meet Dr. Angela Wood!
Dr. Wood was born and raised in Rockford, IL. She has an older brother, and graduated from Guilford High School in 1987. She earned her bachelors in Social Work from Southern Illinois University in 1991. She then went on to earn her Masters in Social Work in 1992 and earned her PhD in 2001 in Social Work from Tulane University.
She met Ralph, her husband, in the fall of 1988. They played in separate rock bands and met. They played at a house party, and he drove her home. They married in 1991. They have one daughter, Harmony (16). They are also dog lovers, they have 3 pugs, Blossom, Jerry Lee and Rosie.
They vacationed to New Orleans, and her husband was offered a faculty job at Southeastern Louisiana University. So, they moved to Hammond in 1999 and she worked in the social work field in a variety of positions and agencies. She now works at Southeastern Louisiana University as an Assistant Professor.
She also is one of three MINT (Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers) members in Louisiana.
We want to thank Dr. Wood for spending some time with us and letting us get to know about her life and her love of the area.
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in the area, and what do you like to get there?
A: Albasha. The combo plate!
Q: What is your favorite childhood memory?
A: Going to Six Flags, Great America amusement park with my friend and her family. And going to the public library, and getting ice cream.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: Europe. Italy and England, specifically. I’d like to take a group tour.
Q: What is your favorite movie? What is the first movie you remember seeing in a theater?
A: My favorite movies are the original Star Wars trilogy. It brings me back to childhood. The first movie I remember seeing in the theater was The Fox and the Hound with my friend and her dad.
Q: Do you have a favorite book?
A: I love Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice.
Q: What advice would you give a group of people?
A: Embrace who you are. Don't let other people determine what and who you should be.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: Go on that European trip!
Q: What is your favorite music or an artist/band that you would like to see (dead or alive)?
A: I listen to several different genres, but if I had to pick- I'd say alternative hard rock from the 1990s and 2000s. I would have loved to see Fleetwood Mac, Rage Against the Machine and Soundgarden.
Q: What current or former business makes you the most nostalgic about the area?
A: Lee's Diner.
Q: If you could choose one person to go to lunch with that you’ve never met, who would that be?
A: Stevie Nicks, we would have a good conversion about music and life.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique that you love about the area?
A: Downtown Hammond, the city has put money and effort to make it really nice. I love the farmers market. It has become a spot for people to shop, eat and listen to music.
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you (even friends or family)?
A: Most people don't know that I write original songs. My husband and I do it together.
Q: What is a word or phrase that comes to mind when you think of the word “Home”?
A: Family.
Q: If you could have a full-time staff member that is fully paid for, what would that be? (Chef, housekeeper, driver, coach, personal trainer, etc.)
A: Someone to cook and clean like Alice from The Brady Bunch.
Q: If you had to choose one type of cuisine to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?
A: Italian, definitely.
Q: What do you do when you are alone in your car?
A: Listen to music I can sing to.
Q: What is the last gift you gave and received?
A: The last gift I gave was a gift certificate to a record store for my husband's birthday. The last gift I received was a goody bag full of Mississippi items.
Q: What are you known for?
A: Probably being Harmony's mom or being the motivational interview training lady.
Q: What is your favorite 80s jam?
A: Something by Pearl Jam, Nirvana or Soundgarden. But I'd have to say "Mountain Song" by Jane's Addiction.
Q: If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why?
A: To be able to read people's minds, but being able to turn it on and off.
Q: What are some of your hobbies?
A: Playing music mostly, singing, guitar. Playing word games.
Q: What is your most commonly used emoji?
A: Thumbs up.
Q: What are you the most proud of?
A: My daughter. She is a triple threat, she can sing, dance and act. She makes straight A's.
Q: What two items would you take with you if you shipwrecked on a deserted island where food and water were taken care of?
A: A good pair of tennis shoes and a tablet of paper and a pen.
Q: If you won the lottery, what would be the first 3 things you would purchase or spend money on?
A: A new car, donate to a bunch of charities and buy a new house.
Q: What do you want your legacy to be?
A: That my daughter respected me, and that I was a role model for her. That I was compassionate and a passionate social worker and person.
Dr. Wood was nominated by Bridget Bailey
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