Proclamation passed in the City of Madison, Wisconsin, by Major Satya Rhodes-Conway.
WHEREAS, Winnie Karanja has been a visionary and engine for change, enacting initiatives that prioritize the flourishing and welfare of girls and BIPoC youth; and
WHEREAS, Winnie has been a frontrunner in elevating access to K-12 STEM education in the Madison community; and
WHEREAS, Winnie, as Founder and former Executive Director of Maydm, has led the charge in technical training for girls and BIPoC youth in STEM fields in the City of Madison; and
WHEREAS, Winnie has founded a paid internship program that places students of color in Madison-based science, technology, and financial companies, connecting young brilliance and talent with leaders in corporate environments and acting as a massive launching point for their future endeavors; and
WHEREAS, Winnie has been lauded by Forbes as a “30 under 30 Social Entrepreneur” for dismantling traditional narratives that limit the potential of students of color and for toppling boundaries that confine brilliance; and
WHEREAS, Winnie is architecting innovative products in STEM education for girls and BIPoC youth by intentionally engaging educators and parents and empowering them as crucial facilitators of students’ learning; and
WHEREAS, Winnie is creating spaces of community in the City of Madison and beyond that celebrate the contributions of BIPoC and women in STEM and fostering such excellence with the bold and deliberate prerogative to prioritize the continued ingenuity of these specific communities; and
WHEREAS, Winnie, as Founder and CEO of Represented Collective, a media company driven by a commitment to racial and gender equity in STEM, is fomenting change at every level – from institutions to individuals mindsets – so that women and BIPoC not only thrive in these aspects but innovate far beyond the expectations of current systems; and
WHEREAS, Winnie will persist in leading social change marked with intentionality and ingenuity to disrupt the gap in STEM fields; and
WHEREAS, Winnie Karanja will continue to exemplify equitable praxis, brazen imagination, unshakeable follow-through, and powerful wonder.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that, I, Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, on behalf of the residents of Madison, Wisconsin do hereby proclaim July 11, 2022 as
WINNIE KARANJA DAY
in the City of Madison
“When faced with a confounding problem such as racial disparities in society or the lack of women in STEM, many of us might throw up our hands, wonder what we can do or donate to a cause-related non profit. Not Winnie Karanja – she tackles problems at the root cause.”
“Winnie’s work develops accessible and experiential curriculum for all ages disguised in collaborative ways of working that address critical areas like problem-solving and technical skills.”
“Our city is a better overall community thanks in large to Winnie’s excellent work.”
“She is driven by a fierce commitment to the future health and leadership of girls of color – and knows better than most what the path looks like and how to navigate it successfully.”
“Winnie is a person I am blessed to have met professionally and come to know more personally. Her unwavering commitment and strength in perseverance to this cause [STEM equity] is remarkable.”
“I got to see Winnie meet the inevitable challenges of building a nonprofit. She did so with grace, authenticity and an acute perspicuity I had not seen before.”