Thank you to Men who Champion for Women like me.
As we end black history and transition to women history month, I want to say thank you to Men who Champion for Women like me.
I started the journey of getting young people interested in Tech with nothing but the believe that teaching Coding to low income students would change life perspectives for them. With no clear plans in place and no start up funds, I met people who have worked just as hard as we have to make Iowa tech more inclusive. I am grateful for the support of people who were never afraid to take a chance on that vision. PI 515 is working hard each day to open more opportunities for girls, women and undeserved youth in Iowa. We have built an impressive grassroots movement of mostly women who are not in tech championing for our cause. These are ordinary ladies, women of all races, who genuinely and wholeheartedly care about uplifting families through free tech classes for our students. I talk about these women often but today I want to say thank you to the men. Men in technology.
Luke Stadtler of Rocket Referrals: We started this together. For a few years now, he has spent every week with PI 515 Students.
Ben Milne founder Dwolla, I remember his one line email with the subject, “Would love to help you,” That conversation led him donating funds that helped PI 515 register as a 501(c)(3) organization.
Brad Dwyer founder Hatchlings: Raised over $12 000 for our PI 515 and that helped launch our building the tech pipeline initiative.
Steve Rittgers, Phillpe Kipendo, Matt brown, Hunter Pollpeter for teaching, creating curriculum and mentoring.
Torey Maerz Rocket Referrals , Dustin Blythe AT&T, Tej Dhawan, Geoff Wood Gravitate, Irving Hahn QCI, Brian Waller TAI, Chris Osoro DLR, Jared Dellitt Dwolla, Frank De Merie Microsoft, Ty Dunker Facebook, Anthony Rodari Lyft, Tyler Wyngarden TAI, Gary Scholten Principal, Joey Aguirre Dwolla, Jason Greer, Will Bernau sixth grader at Bergman Academy thank you.
Thank you for inviting me to conversations, answering my emails, including me in founders meetings and for talking about PI 515 to others.
Thank you for taking time to be with our students and making them feel that they belong in the industry.
It has never been easy, we still need to raise funds to hire staff, have our own space, but I am hopeful. The road we have traveled has strengthened our courage, made us resilient, and we have celebrated success by sending PI 515 students to college.
Your support and encouragement has given PI 515 an opportunity to transform from an idea into a reality that leaves a lasting positive impact on the kids we reach. It hasn’t eluded me for one moment how much you have done, the opportunity given to me and the platform it has awarded me. After all, I am a single black mum championing for underrepresented youth to get into tech. I am grateful for the friendship, thankful for the experiences and the lessons along the way for they have shaped who I am.
Thank you Iowa Tech community.
Nancy Mwirotsi, Founder PI 515
