Empowering Women in Transportation
By Neela Babu, WTS-DC
The topic of women in transportation is a priority for the WTS brand, and this event focused specifically on empowering women in the transportation industry. Three organizations—WTS International Foundation, ITS America, and The Ray—are collaborating on an initiative they call MobilityXX. The MobilityXX initiative will empower women’s decision-making, leadership, and innovative policy-making to advance economic opportunities for travelers systematically disadvantaged by the transportation system. We were joined by one speaker from each organization: Sara Stickler, Executive Director, WTS International; Laura Chace, Chief Operating Officer, ITS America; and Allie Kelly, Executive Director, The Ray.
To kick off the discussion, the panelists discussed the challenge facing women in the workforce. Even before COVID, women are provided less opportunities than men to progress in entry-level positions, and that disparity continues up through the corporate ladder. A Mineta Transportation Institute study from 2019 found that women comprise only 15% of the 14.8 million transportation workforce and less at decision-making levels. COVID compounded the challenge faced by women in the workforce. Studies have shown that women leave the workforce at alarming rates or "downshift" their careers at rates much higher than men.
The inequity of women in the workforce is then carried out into the industry, where transportation options favor the needs of men over the needs of women. Access to transit is correlated with economic opportunity, and transit that puts women at a disadvantage is considered the “pink tax” because women spend more on transportation than men as they balance work, home, and family trips.
MobilityXX strives to reverse these inequities. The MobilityXX Action Plan includes a pledge to galvanize the broader transportation industry around taking meaningful action to attract, promote and retain a more diverse workforce. It also includes a webinar series to educate on women’s inequities in transportation and how diversity is a strength that leads to better outcomes. Essentially, the focus of MobilityXX is the recognition that empowering women in transportation will empower all women.
There are multiple ways for you and your organization to get involved. Companies can work to make work flexible and sustainable. They can also promote collective goals of transportation (which draws women into an industry), promote educational and career opportunities, and encourage employees to participate in professional organizations. Individuals can take it upon themselves to broaden their networks, set a path for career advancement for young women, ask for direct feedback, and be an ally to other women.
For more information on the initiative and how you or your company can help, check out the MobilityXX website!