Advancing Women, Advancing Transportation – The WTS-LA Transportation YOU Committee members Ashlien Savage (Foothill Transit), Linda Apodaca (Foothill Transit), Eileen Ryder (Parsons), Ana Rios (HDR), Vanessa Estrada (Long Beach Airport), Janeen Obeid (Arcadis), and Sofia Duran (Toole Design) in partnership with the Cal Poly Pomona WTS-CPP Student Chapter and Associate Professor of Transportation Engineering Yongping Zhang Ph.D., P.E. hosted high school girls on Monday, March 11th for Girl’s Empowerment Day at Cal Poly Pomona. The purpose of Girl’s Empowerment Day is to encourage young women to consider careers in Science, Technology, Art, and Math (STEAM) that have traditionally been male-dominated, including careers in transportation. The day was filled with lots of fun beginning with ice-breakers and a panel of professionals that shared their career journeys and some great advice for success. Moderated by Lynda Bybee (LSA Associates) included Edna Stanley (Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority), Anna Lantin, P.E. (HDR), and Julia Sanchez de la Vega, P.E., ENV SP (City of Los Angeles, Department of Public Works, Bureau of Engineering). The day ended with a hands-on activity where the girls broke up into teams to design a roller coaster, then presented their ideas to the group. Many had thoughtful questions and were very appreciative of what they learned. WTS’ mission is to attract, sustain, connect, and advance women’s careers to strengthen the transportation industry. Transportation YOU works specifically with middle and high school girls.

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