September 19, 2024
Bridging the gender gap
GFiber is committed to supporting women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). In Charlotte, we work with the Dottie Rose Foundation, supporting their vision of making computer science education accessible, inclusive and equitable for all regardless of gender. Jillian Klinberg , Executive Director, shares with us the organization’s impact and how sponsorships and proceeds raised from the upcoming Dazzle the Dot gala will help them meet their goals.
Dottie Rose Foundation (DRF) is deeply committed to empowering and supporting girls in their journey through computer science. We firmly believe that achieving gender equality in the tech field starts with early intervention, which is why we focus primarily on girls from 5th to 12th grade. Our approach at DRF is offering comprehensive and continuous programming that nurtures their interest and skills in the world of computer science. We are setting the standard in computer science education through our in-school and year round programs, summer camps, workshops and girls in tech days. Our mission is centered around equipping girls with the skills and confidence to succeed in the field of technology. We understand that it's not enough to teach computer science; we also need to inspire and empower them!
DRF was founded in February 2018 and is named in honor of our founder, Dr. Sharon Jones’s grandmother, a lifelong learner who was always taking a new class or picking up a new skill. Dr. Jones was teaching computer science at Philip O. Berry High School and noticed the lack of girls in her high school computer science courses. In fact, only 3-4 girls were signing up for the classes.
For five years, Sharon and I hustled non-stop, building relationships and forging strategic partnerships. Our relentless efforts enabled us to secure key funders such as GFiber and drive our vision forward. Since our start in 2018, we have served over 2500 girls! As of August 2023, DRF is now 100% scholarships based with 85% of our girls coming from underserved, underfunded communities within Charlotte, NC and surrounding areas. Our programs serve girls from different backgrounds, races and economic households. It makes for a wonderful blend of girls with different perspectives and points of view, and beautiful friendships are made. Through our deeply rooted partnerships with industry volunteers, we are able to enhance the impact and expertise of our programming.
We provide our girls with the skills and knowledge to succeed in the fast-changing tech industry. Our programs are designed to be adaptable and responsive to the needs of the girls we serve. We recognize that the gender gap in computer science is rooted in a number of factors, including stereotypes about girls' abilities in STEM fields and a lack of female role models in the tech industry. The foundation's programs are designed to address these root causes by providing girls with positive role models and by challenging stereotypes about girls' abilities in STEM. Through our deeply rooted partnerships with industry professionals, we are able to enhance the impact and expertise of our programming. With 95% of our volunteers being women, and 76% representing minority groups, we are able to provide girls with authentic insights into real-world applications and networking opportunities. We are better together!
DRF has grown from Sharon and myself to a team of 5 full-time employees! Our staff and volunteers at the DRF are passionate about closing the gender gap in computer science. They are dedicated to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for girls to learn and explore their interests in tech. They come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. This diversity allows them to connect with girls from all walks of life and help them see themselves in the tech industry. Our DRF staff and volunteers serve as mentors and role models for the girls they work with. They share their own stories and experiences in tech, and they help girls to develop their skills and confidence. They are active in the community, raising awareness of the gender gap in computer science and encouraging girls to pursue careers in tech.
According to code.org, there are currently 10,873 open computing jobs with an average salary of $109,439 in North Carolina. Yet, there were only 2,482 graduates in computer science from North Carolina colleges and universities, and only 61% of all public high schools teach a foundational computer science course.
At the Dottie Rose Foundation, we not only inspire girls to dream about rewarding careers in technology, but we give them the support and hands-on experiences to empower them to do the work to turn their dreams into reality.
Posted by Jillian Klingberg, Executive Director Dottie Rose Foundation
