The Doing Right Spotlight Scholarship: Annie Rutherford
Annie Rutherford and Terry Crosby
Annie Rutherford, on behalf of Taylor Automotive
Annie Rutherford, a Social Work student at 黑料网, has been selected as a recipient of the 2026 Doing Right Spotlight Scholarship presented by Taylor Automotive. Annie maintains a 3.98 cumulative GPA and is expected to graduate in Spring 2027.
What began as a personal health struggle has grown into a mission to support thousands of people around the world.
In 2018, Annie became seriously ill and spent more than a year navigating misdiagnoses, uncertainty, and worsening symptoms before finally being diagnosed with celiac disease in late 2019. The diagnosis provided answers, but it also introduced a new set of challenges. As a young adult, Annie found herself struggling to trust food, understand gluten-free labeling, and manage the anxiety and isolation that often accompany chronic illness.
Rather than allowing those experiences to define her, Annie chose to transform them into an opportunity to help others.
In October 2024, she launched the social media account @sillysillyceliac, creating an online community dedicated to supporting individuals living with celiac disease and other chronic illnesses. Through educational content, advocacy efforts, restaurant recommendations, product reviews, and personal stories, Annie has built a community of more than 11,000 followers across TikTok and Instagram.
Her goal is simple: ensure that no one facing a new diagnosis feels as alone as she once did.
The impact of Annie's advocacy extends far beyond social media. In November 2024, she joined fellow celiac content creators in a fundraising effort that raised more than $60,000 for the National Celiac Association's Feeding Gluten Free program, which helps stock food pantries with safe gluten-free food options for individuals and families in need.
Shortly thereafter, Annie was invited to join the cast and crew of "Gluten is a Joke," the first film focused on medically necessary gluten-free diets and celiac disease. The documentary seeks to challenge misconceptions surrounding the condition while raising awareness of the daily realities faced by those living with celiac disease.
For Annie, every advocacy effort is rooted in a desire to help others feel understood and supported.
鈥淚 did not want anyone to feel as alone in their diagnosis as I did,鈥� she shared in her scholarship application.
That commitment has inspired her academic and professional goals. As a Social Work student, Annie plans to continue her education through a Master of Social Work program and pursue clinical licensure. Her long-term vision is to establish a celiac and chronic illness support center in Toledo.
The center would provide specialized mental health services, support groups, educational resources, connections to healthcare professionals, and allergen-friendly food assistance programs for individuals and families navigating chronic illness. Annie hopes the center will fill a significant gap in services currently available throughout northwest Ohio.
Her advocacy work, educational pursuits, and dedication to serving others embody the values celebrated through the Doing Right Spotlight Scholarship. By transforming her personal challenges into a source of hope, education, and support for others, Annie is creating meaningful change within both her local community and the broader chronic illness community.
The scholarship will help Annie continue pursuing her education and advancing her vision of creating a more supportive and compassionate future for individuals living with chronic illnesses.