Michigan Council of Women in Technology Foundation

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Our history

It all started when five women in Michigan met for lunch

Five women who met for lunch each week formed a Michigan charter of Women in Technology International:

The founding members included Jill Jordan, Murem Sharpe, Blanca Fauble, Sandy Moore, and Rosemary Bayer.

2000

2001 – 2003

2001:

  • Core team continued to meet regularly to discuss goals
  • 100 founding members


2002:

  • Group resigned WITI; Formed a 501 (c)  6 member organization called MCWT


2003:

  • Hosted an annual meeting
  • Received $2k for scholarships from Compuware
  • Created advisory board
  • Launched Camp Infinity summer technology camp

2004:

  • Created Foundation in 2004 as a 501 (c) 3 with $60k annual budget
  • Sponsored 12 robotics teams at Lego Robofest
  • Attracted 15 scholarship applicants
  • Awarded $56k in scholarships


2005:

  • Posted partner jobs on new website
  • Formed first GET-IT team at University HS, Ferndale
  • Started college chapter at Lawrence Tech University

2006:

  • Began professional development programs; held “Power Tools” symposium featuring Focus: HOPE Founder Eleanor Josaitis
  • Developed Website Design Competition

2004 – 2006

2007 – 2010

2007:

  • Raised $200k at Gala fundraiser; held first Golf Classic
  • Launched mentoring program

2008:

  • Supported seven robotics teams
  • Expanded to three GET-IT schools: Ferndale University, Crockett HS, Randolph HS

2009-2010:

  • Reached 500 members
  • Totaled 4,875 volunteer hours impacting 1,900 people
  • Awarded more than $100k in university scholarships, $40k per year

2011:

  • Continued growth with 750+ members and 60+ partners
  • Hired executive director
  • Expanded into Mid-Michigan

2012:

  • Improved outreach to high schools and colleges
  • Hosted second Camp Infinity at the University of Detroit Mercy
  • Attract more than 100 girls to Website Design Competition

2013:

  • Strengthened Mentoring Program
  • Launched Women in Transition program

2011 – 2013

2014 – 2016

2014:

  • MCWT reached 770 members from 280 companies. 2015 alone had 380 volunteers and 80 corporate sponsors
  • Camp Infinity’s 12th year surpasses 830 campers

2015:

  • Get-IT Clubs double with 178 high school girls designing, coding and building robots
  • Girls Rock IT program with Girl Scouts USA expands in SE and West MI

2016:

  • 10th annual Website Design Competition has 161 entrants, over 800 since inception
  • MCWT Robotics Grants for girls teams reaches $25,500 to 50 teams and 222 girls
  • MCWT awarded 104 MCWT Scholars with over $900,000 since 2004

2017:

  • Awarded 192 girls with scholarships for a total of $1.26 million since 2006
  • Surpassed 1,000 members, over 500 volunteers; and 115 corporate partners
  • Programming expands in West Michigan and Great Lake Bay

2018:

  • Strategic plan implemented in 2018
  • Increased engagement with mission leads grows MCWT programming
  • Camp Infinity includes high school sessions
  • State-wide competition, Girls Solve IT, Powered by Ford, launches in 2018

2019:

  • Established scholarship fund
  • Increased funding over $1.7 million for programs impacting girls and women

2017 – 2019

2020 – 2023

More Details to Come…

2020:

2021:

2022:

2023:

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