HI All,

We had a very nice and intimate meeting with 11 young women at West Seattle. Sometimes all the flyers and recruiting does not do what you hope it will do. There are a series of reasons why we had a small group but the girls who did show up were very serious about doing IGNITE and very happy to be a part of the Presentation event.

I want to thank the wonderful and amazing women who presented yesterday at West Seattle. You are all a very special group of women who clearly feel passionately about working with young women and sharing your story with them. I know the girls really enjoyed the attention and time you spent talking to them. I want to thank Joanne Brandsma, Program Manager, Microsoft,. Kendra Powers, Systems Engineer, Boeing, Sara Nagy, Microsoft,. Gabriella Anderson, Manufacturing Engineer, Boeing, Jaime Weber, Operations Manager, Oniva, InC and Welcome to IGNITE to Gabriella and Jaime, we are so happy to have you, both!!

I want to thank Lilna Given-Williams, Work Based Learning Coordinator for attending the event and helping IGNITE girls learn about credit for activities. I want to thank Susan Nyman, 9th grade Counselor who helped get the word out about the IGNITE event. I want to thank Principal Bruce Bivins, who did attend the IGNITE event and wants to support the future of IGNITE at West Seattle HS. I want to thank the 11th grade counselor for coming to the event, Sue Quigley, who wants to be more involved and Tara Vanselow the 10th grade counselor as well, thank you both!

Here are the comments from the girls evaluation sheets.

• The best part of the event was meeting these women and hearing their stories.
• Today's event, I really liked hearing about the different career options. I like knowing about the jobs I would really consider and knowing there's jobs I get to wear what I want. The most interesting thing I heard today was that there are jobs you can dress and schedule how you want to.
• I liked the speakers. I Liked how they have been around the world. It was so cool!!
• I learned that you can change jobs and do different things for your career, Depending on your job position. That is very fun. You are all doing a fantastic job :) I love coming to these IGNITE meetings !!! :)
• I am excited about Digigirlz summer camp, it sounds like a lot of FUN!!
• I liked hearing MS Nyman's story about math. Send flyers to every class and let IGNITE BE HEARD! I LOVED IT!
• I liked all the events today. Keep on doing it the way it is.
• Meeting and hearing about all these amazing women and careers from powerful women. How as long as you try then you can get ahead even though it can take a while.
• How MIcrosoft is opening doors for women. I thought it went very well. The trips and presentations sound great.
• I really like listening to the women talk about their jobs. I would like to hear more about women who work in non-tech companies and look forward to the Seattle Central Conference.
• I thought it was interesting how they were poor then they were young and made their way up. Especially the ones who are now make more than their husbands I want to apply for an IGNITE mentor.
• I liked the women's speakers. They are very inspiring. They seem to like their jobs and make a very good pay. I never thought about a job in engineering or anything technical but now my eyes are opened to new career choices.

Thank you all for making this event possible.
Cathi