WTS Los Angeles' 7th Annual Girls’ Empowerment Day, hosted through WTS-LA’ Transportation YOU program, was more than a successful student outreach event: it was a testament to what can be accomplished when an industry comes together to support the next generation.

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This year’s event faced significant challenges long before students arrived at the Flight Path Museum & Learning Center. As the committee worked to finalize plans in April, the event was postponed due to anticipated union strikes within the Los Angeles Unified School District, creating uncertainty around student participation and logistics. As the rescheduled September date approached, another hurdle emerged: widespread school budget cuts left many participating schools without funding for student transportation.

Rather than scaling back the program, the Girls’ Empowerment Day committee rallied around a solution. Through the generosity of WTS-LA’s sponsors and partners, the chapter was able to secure transportation for students who otherwise may not have been able to attend. Their support ensured that dozens of young women still had the opportunity to participate in a day dedicated to career exploration, mentorship, and empowerment.

Held at Los Angeles World Airports’ Flight Path Museum & Learning Center, the event welcomed high school students from WTS-LA’s adopted schools for a full day of hands-on activities, professional development, and exposure to the many career paths available in transportation and infrastructure. The program featured welcome remarks from WTS-LA and LAWA leadership, a student design competition, sponsor recognition, and an engaging industry panel moderated by WTS-LA Vice President of Student Outreach Sharlane Bailey. Speakers from LA28 and California High-Speed Rail also shared their insights with the students.

Students also participated in interactive workshops focused on salary negotiation, scholarship opportunities, diversity and inclusion, and aviation careers, including a Q&A session with a pilot. Hands-on engineering activities such as the Hoop Glider and Balloon challenges encouraged teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving while demonstrating how transportation professionals tackle real-world challenges every day.

The success of the event was made possible through the support of an incredible network of sponsors: Skanska-Flatiron Construction, Los Angeles Metro, California High-Speed Rail Authority, Arellano Associates, Foothill Transit, MCK, Enterris Associates, Destination Enterprises, and O2EPCM.

WTS-LA also extends its gratitude to its agency partners, including Los Angeles Metro, Public Matters, LA28 Olympic & Paralympic Games, the Port of Los Angeles, the Port of Long Beach, and Foothill Transit, whose professionals volunteered their time to connect directly with students, share their experiences, and demonstrate the impact of transportation careers throughout Southern California. Special thanks also go to Los Angeles World Airports for hosting the event at the Flight Path Museum & Learning Center and helping create an inspiring setting for a day centered on possibility, innovation, and discovery.

The challenges faced this year underscored exactly why programs like Transportation YOU matter. By investing in young women, providing access to role models, and removing barriers to participation, WTS-LA and its partners are helping build a stronger, more diverse transportation workforce for the future.