Anniversaries are more than just a date. Yes, we must pinpoint the formation of something or an historical event with a date or time, usually a starting point, but the enduring legacy and effectiveness of a union or an organization provides the true meaning of an anniversary. That is what I want to focus on. Because this year WTS-LA celebrates its 40th anniversary and that’s truly remarkable.

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For 40 years, women and men in transportation have fought to level the playing field so that everyone can use their skills and talents together to improve and advance transportation in Southern California. It is a noble pursuit of a noble goal. I am honored in the extreme to be WTS-LA president during this extraordinary moment. That, too, brings up another anniversary important to me.

This marks the end of my first year as WTS-LA President. And that is an anniversary that holds very special meaning for me. Serving as WTS-LA President has proven to be a phenomenal experience where I have been fortunate to have a front row seat to witness the wonderful people who make this chapter so effective and dynamic, who work tirelessly to advance women in transportation and to better transportation itself. In truth, I am in awe. But I am also not surprised. This is WTS-LA. This is what I’ve come to know and expect from the chapter. Still, viewing and leading the charge for that work has been most challenging and rewarding. I wouldn’t trade the experience for the world. But there’s also more to it.

When she was first lady of the nation, Eleanor Roosevelt said, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” Through my work with the chapter, I have seen the beauty of the dreams of these women and men who pursue equity, innovation, and progress in transportation. And when I think about these two anniversaries together, I can’t help but feel great hope for the future in seeing the beauty of the dreams of our scholarship and award winners, and my board, committees, and chapter members. Your dreams provide the vision that drives this chapter to excellence, innovation, compassion, and achievement. You are all the beauty of our collective dream. What better way to recognize this than through our Annual Scholarship and Awards Gala.

Trailblazing Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm said, “We must reject not only the stereotypes that others hold of us, but also the stereotypes that we hold of ourselves.” I really want our scholarship winners to read that, and then read it again. Take it to heart. Many of us transportation industry veterans already know well the stereotypes that others can hold of us. We have encountered them all of our lives and careers, and we have fought to overcome them. And you scholarship winners may start encountering this when you enter into the professional world. I believe it’s vital to reject both external stereotypes and those stereotypes and, most importantly, the limitations that you may hold of yourselves, as Ms. Chisholm advised. You have no limits. There are no areas that are inappropriate for women to explore and succeed. The world is yours and this is an opportunity to seize what matters to you most. I want to make sure that you all know that. Pursue your transportation passion and join our chapter so that we can help keep you on track in that regard. This is a critical time in your life. Let us help you take advantage of it for the strategic benefit of a lifetime. And that brings me directly to our award winners.

You have fought the good fight and many of you continue to fight the good fight. You have been in the trenches and you won. We recognize and honor your grit, brilliance, and effectiveness tonight. But your responsibility doesn’t stop here. Former First Lady Michelle Obama said, “Becoming isn’t about arriving somewhere or achieving a certain aim. I see it instead as forward motion, a means of evolving, a way to reach continuously toward a better self. The journey doesn’t end.” That’s wonderful. And it’s so true. I also believe it’s a sentiment that all of our award winners share, whether or not they ever formally articulated it. They possess an inner engine that drives them to continue on when others may stop. It’s what helped them get where they are today, including the stage of our gala. Though we honor them for their achievements, their journeys do not end tonight. They will continue to be a beacon, a role model, an example of the best of WTS-LA and its mission.

Anniversaries are more than just a date. An award is more than just a plaque. Both recognize a larger body of work, elements of effort and achievement that deserve celebration. Tonight, we celebrate and honor that effort and achievement. I want to thank you all for joining us tonight. I want to thank my board for a wonderful year together. I eagerly look forward to what we can accomplish together next year.

Finally, I want to congratulate all of our scholarship and award winners and chapter members for being a part of the greatest transportation organization in the world. Congratulations WTS-LA, and Happy 40th Anniversary!