WTS-DC Recognizes Six Outstanding Recognition Award Recipients
By Haley Peckett, WTS-DC
Despite the many challenges that 2020 presented, WTS-DC was fortunate to have a wealth of deserving individuals, employers, and projects that were nominated for the 2020 Recognition Awards. At the virtual WTS-DC Holiday Party on December 8, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) Director, Jeff Marootian, presented awards to a strong group of individuals and organizations leading transportation in our region.
Since its inception, WTS has strived to provide equity and access for women in transportation by attracting, sustaining, connecting, and advancing women’s careers in the industry. As part of its annual recognitions program, WTS-DC celebrates the contributions of individuals and organizations who work every day to further the WTS mission. These professionals are nominated by their peers and selected by a panel of WTS-DC board members. The six winners of the 2020 Recognition Awards were also nominated for the WTS-l awards. Each recipient recorded a brief acceptance speech that was shared at the Holiday Party (watch below).
The Rosa Parks Diversity Leadership Award honors an individual that has made significant contributions in promoting diversity and cultural awareness within his or her organization, the transportation industry, or in a project or activity that supports the goals and mission of WTS. Mayor Muriel Bowser won this award for her work in creating the Black Lives Matter Plaza on District streets and for strengthening transportation as a way to connect District residents with opportunities.
The Employer of the Year Award recognizes an organization for recruiting, retaining, and advancing women. This year, WTS-DC honored the American Public Transit Association (APTA), whose mission is to advance public transportation and who has worked hard to advance women in its organization and in the industry. APTA has been a steadfast supporter of WTS-DC and of women’s professional development in transportation.
The Innovative Transportation Solution Award recognizes an innovative transportation project led by a woman. The WTS-DC chapter presented the 2020 award to Open Streets DC, an event held in October 2019 that re-envisioned Georgia Avenue, NW as a place for walking, dancing, bicycling, and even rock climbing. Open Streets DC supported Vision Zero as a way to pilot new transportation choices. The project manager, Anna Chamberlin, Director of DDOT’s Planning and Sustainability Division, accepted the award. Chamberlin, along with several other female leaders, overcame many logistical and regulatory challenges to make the event a success.
The Honorable Ray LaHood Award honors a leader and role model in the transportation industry who, through career achievements and support of women, has advanced the reputation and credibility of women in transportation. Jerry Myrkalo, Senior Associate at Dewberry, received the 2020 award. Mrykalo has a long track record as a champion and mentor of woman in the transportation engineering field, and he creates opportunities for the advancement of women and minorities in the field and volunteers to share his professional knowledge with emerging professionals.
The Member of the Year Award recognizes a WTS-DC member who has made extraordinary contributions to the success of the organization. The 2020 WTS-DC recognition award went to Cherie Gibson. Gibson currently chairs the Corporate Relations and Program Sponsorship Committee, where she has helped raise tens of thousands of dollars to support the chapter’s activities and build strong relationships between WTS-DC and companies across the region.
The WTS-DC Woman of the Year award honors a woman who is an outstanding role model and who has contributed to the advancement of women and minorities in transportation. Nicole Nason, Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), received this year’s award. Nason has advocated for the recruitment and advancement of women at FHWA, and throughout her career she has shown a commitment to promoting women in the transportation industry. She has also supported WTS-DC through her participation in various events such as the 2019 Transportation YOU Summit.
The WTS-DC Recognitions Committee looks forward to a busy 2021 and the opportunity to recognize a new slate of transportation professionals in the D.C. region.