Last Stop for LaHood Prior to Farewell: WTS STEM Summit for Girls


Washington, DC (PRWEB) July 03, 2013

Ahead of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood was whisked off to the press room to address the nation in his farewell speech final Thursday, he took time to address a group of young females who had been going to the Departments headquarters as component of the Transportation YOU DC Youth Summit, which was created to introduce, inspire, and guide high-school girls toward a future in STEM studies and a profession in the transportation market. This was of no wonderful surprise to those familiar with the Secretarys priorities producing awareness about transportation as a viable career selection for young women has been one of LaHoods most passionate messages.

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Participants in the Transportation YOU Summit integrated 15 female students from across the US invited by WTS International, the association for constructing the future of transportation by means of the international advancement of females, along with their individual mentors.

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The Transportation YOU initiative was spearheaded by LaHood himself in partnership with WTS in 2010 when he signed a memorandum of understanding, so it was fitting that the 1st stop for its annual 4-day flagship program this year was USDOT.

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The Transportation YOU plan is a supply of scholarship, internship, and networking possibilities. It hyperlinks young ladies with experts in the field and inspires them to pursue STEM-associated coursework and exposes them to career possibilities in the transportation market not typically pursued by women. Secretary LaHood has been unwaveringly determined to assistance President Obamas contact to action to get more students, particularly young women, on track to take the helm of the countrys infrastructure needs so that the US can Win the future with a robust economy, thriving communities, and achievement of men and women.

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The Transportation YOU system at WTS would not exist have been it not for Secretary LaHood and so many other individuals at DOT who have supported the system with their time and extraordinary work, said WTS President and CEO, Marcia Ferranto. With the help of Bryna Helfer, Senior Director of Public Engagement, these young girls at the Summit received uncommon access to specific locations at DOT and a single-on-a single time with higher-profile ladies leaders.

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The very first session for the Summit attendees was a visit to USDOTs Crisis Management Center (CMC) for behind-the-scenes access and a tour by William Stuckey, manager of the Center. From there, participants had been broken into tiny groups to speak with some of DOTs female executives so that they could ask concerns about professional advancement, special departments at DOT, and academic paths that could lead to a profession in the public sector. Among the DOT set have been: &#13

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Marlise Streitmatter, Deputy Chief of Employees&#13

Audrey Farley, Associate Administrator for Administration, Investigation and Revolutionary Technology Administration&#13

Karen Hedlund, Deputy Administrator, Federal Railroad Administration&#13

Therese McMillan, Deputy Administrator, Federal Transit Administration

Administrator

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Patricia Readinger, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Governmental Affairs&#13

Kathryn B. Thomson, Acting Common Counsel

Susan Kurland, Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs&#13

Lucy Garliauskas, Associate Administrator for Planning &amp Environment, Federal Transit Administration&#13

Ellen Partridge, Chief Counsel, Investigation and Innovative Technology Administration&#13

Vanessa Sutherland, Chief Counsel, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration

The highlight of the DOT check out for the Transportation YOU Summit attendees was the moment Secretary LaHood walked into the room to speak to them, minutes prior to heading out to give his public farewell address as he steps down from his post. LaHood spoke about opportunities in transportation for young individuals who have STEM backgrounds, particularly women. He noted that DOT is virtually run by women, as evidenced by his senior team that was represented in the area. Secretary LaHood suggested that the students channel their energy and drive by means of education, internships, and, most importantly, speaking to men and women and networking, so that they can accomplish their ultimate achievement.

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As an example of the effect that a part at DOT can have, Secretary LaHood spoke about the Departments emphasis on safety and how theyve achieved acquiring laws passed to enable federal oversight of safety problems that were previously handled individually by each state.

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The Secretarys decision to cease in and welcome these young girls prior to addressing the nation was certainly poignant, said Ferranto. Although hes been top the charge to hold Americas transportation structure operating, hes also been operating and partnering with organizations like WTS with an eye on the future. Workforce development is essential for this nation and the future of the world, and bringing young women and other vital populations into the industry is where the Honorable Secretary LaHoods passion comes by means of.

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For far more info about WTS International and Transportation YOU, make contact with Marcia Ferranto at 202-955-5085 or check out http://www.wtsinternational.org.

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Transportation YOU is a hands-on, interactive, mentoring program that offers young girls ages 13-18 an introduction to a wide selection of transportation careers. By way of the plan, WTS chapters operate to make a difference in the lives of young girls by providing programs and activities that will spark their interest in all modes of transportation and encourage them to take courses in science, technologies, engineering and math, which are the stepping stones to fascinating careers that can change the face of the transportation market. For more info, make contact with Marcia Ferranto, WTS President and CEO, at 202-955-5085

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WTS International and WTS Foundation, headquartered in Washington, DC, seek to attract, retain, and advance females in transportation. As the industry’s premier multi-modal association, WTS boasts a network of much more than 5,000 transportation professionalswomen and males from across the United States, Canada, and Wonderful Britain. Each and every transportation mode is represented, as is every service within the business. From federal leaders to engineers and planners, the WTS membership base represents almost 1,500 businesses and 400 agencies in more than 90 cities. WTS Foundation has provided more than $ 1,000,000 in scholarships to deserving girls throughout the transportation sector, supporting the subsequent generation of transportation professionals and advancing the principles of WTS. More information can be discovered at http://www.WTSinternational.org

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