Divya Narayanan
Software Tester
Microsoft Corporation

IGNITE is an organization of women volunteers who got together some years ago to join forces and tackle the problem of scarcity of women in the technology industry (which is 15% currently). They hope to serve as strong role models and mentors to high school girl students on the verge of making a career choice. Ignite provides various opportunities to young women like organizing job shadows, career talks and field trips to Microsoft. To reward these efforts, Ignite was presented with a "Programs and Practices that Work: Preparing Students for Nontraditional Careers" award sponsored by Association of Career & Technical Education (ACTE), the National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity (NAPE), the National Women's Law Center (NWLC), and the National Association of State Directors of Career & Technical Education Consortium.

Founder Cathi Rodgveller was invited to Capitol Hill in Washington D.C to receive this award. Being the generous person that she is, she wanted her friends around her who helped her in small ways (and who she had helped in million ways). I went as part of this brigade of women J The awards day was packed with appointments in Capitol Hill. The press release constituted a marvelous delivery by Cathi, the speech was heartfelt and inspiring to the audience. The audience (senators, congress and press people), were curious about what they (or we) could do to target younger girls, at middle school level. After the press release there was a photo session and discussions with press people from local newspapers. The appointment with congressman Jay Inslee was handled by his staff member Beth Osborne, who made notes to pass on to the congressman. We then met Maria Cantwell, who was very enthusiastic about the idea of Ignite and promised to help in any way she could. The meeting with Patty Murray went off really well too. They could see our passion and enthusiasm for Ignite reverberating around us, I’m sure. After all these years of effort, Ignite got its just rewards and this is just the beginning.

On a more personal level, this experience really changed me. After meeting this powerful bunch of women who I could I see as role models and good friends, I feel more confident and bold. Ignite has been almost a life changing experience for me.

Cathi Rodgveller
Founder
IGNITE

HI All

I hope everyone is having a great summer.

I wanted everyone to know that we had won the Programs and Practices that Work award and I went with several women to Washington DC and received the award in Congress. It is a National Honor to win that top award. It is the highest award we can win in the educational field. to read more about that, www.ignite-us.org. It recognized IGNITE as the top program in gender equity in our country, I want to congratulate everyone in IGNITE for this award!!! We had a wonderful ceremony, where I gave a speech and had a powerpoint. I want to thank the women who spent endless hours on this powerpoint. Mo started us off and finished it off, with countless hours on this powerpoint. WE wanted it to be our best, going to Congress and all. Larisa joined the efforts along with Justine, and then Raelene, Divya, Lori, Linda , Marta,,,,thank you all for all your efforts. It was clear that we were organized and really prepared for our presentation. I could not have done it without my team. WE also met with the Nominating committee and they made it clear to us that this award is not given lightly, and it had a lot of competition. They told me we really stood out, and said that to me several times. After the award ceremony, and we had prepared for this for months, we then went into the halls of Congress to meet with our Senators. We met with Senator Cantwell and Senator Murray. Go to www.ignite- us.org to see the award picture and read about it. It was an amazing trip and I want to thank the women who went with me to experience this momentous event in our IGNITE history.

All of these wonderful women attended the award ceremony, fly all the way to Washington DC to be there. How can I thank you all for that.

Well, its a start. I want to thank Lori Longthorne, Microsoft, Raelene Sanders, Microsoft, Mo Rozenhart, T-Mobile, Linda Thomas, Boeing, Justine Vick, University of Washington, Divya Narayanan, Microsoft , Joni Blakeslee, Cisco, Larisa Golden, Dreamclinic, Harriet Van Duersen, OSPI (ret), Vicki Ho, IGNITE Alum, and Expedia, Marta Smith, Microsoft, Axum Aragawi, Seattle University and IGNITE alum., Mary Davison, IGNITE Teacher and Ballard HS.

WE all really had a wonderful time and such an amazing experience. We were the biggest group running around the halls of Congress from one Senator's office to the next. I am still waiting to get the great picture that was taken with Senator Murray. And the great one with Senator Cantwell on the website at www.ignite-us.org.

Here are some highlights for me: Well, our visits with our Senators are so memorable. In particular Senator Cantwell really made it very clear that she wants to be involved with IGNITE and wants to help us in anyway she can. She would like to be our keynote this year at one of our events too!! And she gave me her personal e-mail address, gosh, that was something.

Another highlight for me was sitting in Senator Murray's conference room and going around the table introducing ourselves to her, and feeling so proud of us to be meeting with our wonderful Senator, and clearing she was proud of us as well.

It was such a special evening, we all went to dinner and went around the table and each person sharing what IGNITE has meant to them, It made me cry, it was such an emotional moment for me and truly one of the most special in my life.

Each evening we all met at Harry's pub, and the first night as each person arrived, they entered Harry's and we had the back tables and we all screamed our welcome to each arrival. It was so warm and wonderful to see how we all feel about each other. And I am so proud that we have created that kind of energy in IGNITE, where because of our common goals and vision, we love each other for that. It was quite like Cheers when each person showed up, yelling her name. As the evening progressed our welcomes got louder and more welcoming . It was so much fun.

On the second day, we set up a booth at the national conference that IGNITE was asked to present in. It is called the National Academy Foundation conference, If you want to read more about it go to NAF.org It is the Academy's in the high schools, WE have the Informational Technology Academy in many of our Seattle High Schools and also others, like the Academy of Finance, and The Academy of Hospitality and Tourism. IGNITE presented at the conference and I want to thank the team who went. And all your help with the informational booth. Thank you to Raelene and Harriet, who stayed on and on at the booth, setup and meeting with all the people going through the exhibits.

And the next day Raelene, Harriet and I did the conference presentation. It went quite well and we had an overflowing crowd. WE needed a lot more chairs, and we still needed more after that. It was clear that there was a lot of interest in our work. Many school districts from around the country want to do IGNITE now , as a result of that workshop. Thank you so much to Raelene, who does many of these events, and did a great job co-presenting with me.

It was really like that the whole trip. Each activity was fun and exciting because we were together. I have to say, it was such a special time for me, and one that will be one of my most memorable in my life.

I want to thank the women who came with me to get this award. From the bottom of my heart, that you would go all the way across the country to be there to get this award and want to be there. You are all so important to me and always will be.

I want everyone in IGNITE to know that because of all of you, giving your time and energy and commitment over the years, we are turned into an award winning program and one that will continue to grow and spread. It is really because of all or you that we can continue that IGNITE VISION.

Thank you all for being you!! AND BEING IN IGNITE.
Sincerely.
Cathi

Pictures from the event