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Take One Step Towards Real Impact

“Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time.” Celebrated for her significant contributions to gender equity and human rights, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg leaves an extraordinary legacy. She embodied this statement in the work that she did and many of us aspire to emulate her impact on our local communities.  

One of the best ways to create real impact is to find a cause or issue that matters greatly to you. Volunteer. Raise money. Donate money. March. Find safe actions that not only help people, but that also make you feel positive about being part of a larger community. At WTS-LA, we held our first scholarship fundraiser of the year in April. At an event at TopGolf, we raised over $5,000 for scholarships! You have to know how great it felt for everyone there to join together, have fun, and raise money to help young women pay for their education. It’s a win-win-win all around and we are already planning at least two more fundraisers this year.

WTS continually works towards making strides in transportation equity with our scholarship program. Scholarship applications are now open! So, start telling everyone you know that thousands of scholarship dollars are available for young women who want to work in the transportation industry. If you want to see eyes light up, tell them how much these scholarships are worth, as these scholarships make a very real difference in young women’s lives. FYI, we are also opening our award recognition nominations. So, start planning on who you’d like to honor and how great it will feel for both of you when they win. All scholarships and awards will be presented at our annual Scholarships and Awards Gala on November 6th at the Intercontinental in downtown LA – save the date and join us! But don’t stop there.

Yes, WTS-LA is a perfect mechanism to take a step towards creating lasting change. We were founded on that very principle! With every program, every scholarship, every award – we are taking steps towards transportation equity. And our culture of always helping any member who reaches out, speaks to our commitment to community. So, get more involved in WTS-LA. Join a committee. Donate to the scholarship program. Attend more programs. Put together a program. Volunteer for the WTS International Conference taking place in Los Angeles next year. Taking action through WTS-LA will not only help you professionally and personally, but also helps advance the organization’s mission. And then, turn inward.

Look in your life for opportunities to reach out and help people. It doesn’t have to be a formal program or project. It can be very simple, like helping someone with their groceries or helping in a community garden. Become sensitive to the idea that helping people, taking action, helps you take one step closer to creating the changes in your community that you would like to see. Then look around where you live and work and see what resonates with you, what’s important to you. And if you’d like, formalize things. Join an organization, commit to volunteering, or even run for political office if that’s how you feel you can make a difference. The difference you make for others will only be matched by the fulfillment that effort brings you.

Through Justice Ginsberg, many of our lives have been positively impacted by the steps she took towards civil equality. Her wisdom and legacy still shine brightly. Together, let’s each take a step towards WTS-LA’s mission and we’ll make enduring change in each other’s lives and for those that will come after us.