WTS—A Partnership for Advancing Women in Transportation

Submitted by Christina Grossenbacher, Associate (San Francisco, CA)

You may have read the recent post on this blog by Marsha Anderson Bomar about gender and transportation design. When I read it, it really made me feel proud to see how much the design realm has progressed and become much more aware and inclusive of the varied users of our public infrastructure, including women.

It reminded me, too, of why I value my participation in Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS). This organization is, simply put, dedicated to the advancement of women in the transportation industry. Not only does it connect professionals like me to opportunities to participate in advancing this mission and challenge myself, but it also creates those opportunities for young women to explore the transportation field through the program Transportation YOU. Transportation YOU is a joint initiative between WTS and the US Department of Transportation that offers girls ages 13 to 18 an introduction to transportation through its hands-on mentoring program and attempts to get girls interested in and excited about math, science, and engineering careers.

WTS Los Angeles named Stantec Employer of the Year in 2010.
Sheila Wray Given (rt) accepted the award from
ULI Los Angeles Exec. Director Katherine Aguilar Perez

The Girl Scouts Research Institute recently conducted a study of what girls say about science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), an effort WTS has followed closely to help guide new programs and initiatives like Transportation YOU. Their research is finding that the national focus on STEM education is working—the research shows that “STEM girls” have “significantly higher confidence in their academic abilities and higher academic goals and aspirations” as compared to non-STEM girls. You can read more about the study at www.girlscouts.org/research or get the gist in the infographic above created by WTS.

Clearly, introducing girls to transportation and encouraging them to pursue careers in engineering and technology will benefit our industry. With more women entering the field and feeling empowered to contribute their thoughts, ideas, and perspectives, we all benefit. I have a daughter myself and am encouraged and inspired to think of the possibilities programs like these can create for her in the future.

San Fran WTS’s member of the year Christina,
with her husband, Mark

In the same vein, I’m also thrilled to know that my own peers—and my company—have taken this mission to heart. WTS relies on corporate support, and Stantec has become one of its strongest partners, especially since our goals regarding diversity align so well. I have a number of colleagues throughout the company who take an active role in WTS—both men and women. That’s actually important to note: men comprise more than a third of the WTS membership. The organization certainly would have trouble working toward advancing women in transportation without the partnership and participation of men.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank my colleagues, listed here, for their participation. And although she’s only 3 years old now, I’m confident my daughter will thank them, too.

Christina is the Communications Committee chair for the WTS San Francisco Bay Area Chapter and was recently named her chapter’s Member of the Year.

Marsha Anderson Bomar
Erin Baily
Caitlin Bowen
Cassandra Carlin
James Cleveland
Frank Domingo
Melissa Dugan
Michael Gill, Jr.
Larry Hazzard
Kathy Massarelli
Angela Medlock
Paul Menaker
Brandy Miller
Rock Miller
Douglas Moseke
Fariba Nation
Laura Niemeyer
Sherry Nour
Vasavi Pannala
David Rourke
Emily Valentino
Molly Williams
Robert Williams
Erica Wong
Sheila Wray Given
*And special thanks as well to Carl Clayton who wholeheartedly supports our international participation in WTS year after year.