Microsoft Job Shadow Day a Great Success!

Hi All!

Yesterday we had 20 young women attend a job shadow day at Microsoft.
It was a fantastic day for them.
The impact of these job shadows is extraordinary.
Many of the girls have their sites set up working at Microsoft, and now they know they can do it. Thanks to all the people below:

I want to thank Renuka Iyer, because Renu has been doing this for us for a number of years now. This is something she is committed to and makes time for even with her extremely demanding job. It takes her endless hours to set up two of these job shadows for us each year. (We had one in January) I can't thank her enough for her dedication and commitment to one of the most valuable experiences of a young woman's life. It is such a pleasure to work with her and get to know her. We are so extremely fortunate to have volunteers like Renu. Without her, IGNITE would not be the success we are today. Thank you Renu, from the bottom of my heart.

I want to also thank Molly Cox, who initiated these job shadow days
and inspires them to happen each year. Her commitment to IGNITE runs in many directions and activities including being a Board member. Thank you Molly for all you do.
Thank you to Bobbie Buck and Alisha Brummett, for making time to come and help us.

Thank you to all the Microsoft women who served as mentors yesterday. It was so obvious when the girls returned that their experience was amazing. Thank you to all of you for your time and caring, so the next generation of women can look forward to a bright and exciting future. Thank you to Jalel Levy, Kalyani Sattiraju, Connie Rennie, Brenda Breuer, Mei Lau, Lilia Gutnik, Betsy Norton-MIddaugh, Manisha Patel, Kimberly Farmer, Norresa Calos, and Eileen Lybyer.

I want to thank many of the Seattle Schools staff who helped the girls attend and help me out at the schools, getting forms to the girls collecting them, and everything that goes into this process.

We have girls attend from all of the Seattle High schools, since we have the IGNITE program at all of them. Many of these girls are committed to IGNITE and to the program. They make it a priority to attend all events, because they are committed to these career choices. And we want to support them and continue to encourage them
and inspire them, Ongoing support for the girls who decide to pursue these careers is an important component of what we do. When we do a Presentation at the high schools, we invite all girls and the ones that really start to feel this inspiration, we work hard to provide that on-going support. These are those girls.

Thank you to Mary Davison and Lois Brewer for chaperoning the trip yesterday! Thank you to all the teachers at the high schools who work hard with me to make this work. David Friedle, Helene Martin, Karl Ruff, Joan Bayley, Jackie Graupner, Shirley Osara, Jill Zawatski, and Aaron Houk.