When the Dottie Rose Foundation first began, it was powered by just two people — Dr. Sharon Jones and myself — with a shared belief that girls deserve access, confidence and opportunity in computer science education. What started as a bold idea has now grown into a dynamic team of seven passionate leaders working together to expand opportunity for girls across North and South Carolina!
Our growth has been both organic and strategic — shaped by the needs of the girls we serve and the communities that continue to invite us in. In the early years, our work focused primarily on individual workshops and summer camp experiences. As interest and participation grew, so did our responsibility to create deeper, more consistent pathways for students. Today, our programs have expanded into multiple year-round initiatives, including in-school partnerships, hybrid learning opportunities, summer camps and workforce-aligned experiences that support girls from elementary through high school. This structure ensures that girls are not just introduced to technology once but supported through a continuous journey of discovery, confidence-building and skill development as they grow. From early exposure in elementary school to advanced learning and career exploration in high school, our team now has the capacity to guide students along a true pipeline into the tech workforce. Our programs are 100% scholarship based, allowing us to serve everyone!
Each member of our seven-person team brings unique strengths—from curriculum development and partnership building to student mentorship and community engagement—but what connects us all is a shared commitment to equity in computer science education. Together, we are building programs that meet our students where they are and help them imagine where they can go next. We are all better together!
From two people with a vision to a team of seven creating pathways for the next generation of female technologists, this journey reflects what is possible when purpose, partnership, and persistence come together.
And we’re just getting started!
Thank you for all your support! XO – Jillian