IGNITE is Started in Seattle Public Schools

In 1998, a federal grant was issued to ensure young women knew about high wage, high demand career choices. Cathi Rodgveller saw the immense potential of this funding and quickly created a network of enthusiastic women in tech volunteers. The women visited schools and spoke with the girls about technical careers, and the girls started taking field trips to the volunteers’ workplaces! The girls’ excitement translated into increased female enrollment in technical classes, and that’s when Cathi knew she had something special.