Indianapolis woman has a chance to win ‘Great American Grandma’ competition

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – When people meet 76-year-old Jill Ridge, they usually walk away with one word in mind: Energy.

It’s one of the reasons that in a competition that started out with nearly 700 video submissions.

The General Electric appliance company is in the midst of a national search for the “Great American Grandma.”

Ridge is retired after 20 years working for the Indianapolis Public Library, but she’s a full-time grandma that likes to stay pretty busy around the clock. 

When she’s not spending time with her grandkids, she’s hitting the gym three times a week for CrossFit training.

It was an idea that came from her granddaughter Maddie, who also participates in the intense training.

When she’s not at Crossfit Naptown, she’s volunteering at a nursing home hosting her “move“ class to help wheelchair-bound seniors get mobile by dancing to her 1950’s playlist.

She says one of her favorites is Aretha Franklin’s “RESPECT.“

She and her husband John have been married for 55 years and he says she has always been full of positive energy and a great sense of humor.

“It’s off the charts always,“ John said. “I suppose there’s a downside but I’m not sure I’ve seen it yet.“

“I want to inspire people,“ Jill said. “I want to make people laugh.“

She also uses her home as an Airbnb on the weekends. If you’re a guest you can expect pancakes and sausage for breakfast when you wake up in the morning on check out day.

GE will select their winner “Great American Grandma“ during the first week of April. 

The winner receives a $50,000 part-time position with General Electric as a social media spokesperson and five brand new home appliances.

To check out Jill’s video, click here and to learn more about other grandmothers that made the top 10 and the competition, click here.