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WTS Foundation Fund - Scholarship

Founded in 1977, the Women's Transportation Seminar (WTS) was created through the efforts of 40 women involved in transportation in the Washington, DC, area who recognized that a mechanism was needed to enhance professional and personal advancement and to develop industry and government recognition of the increasing involvement of women in the field of transportation. WTS is now an international organization of more than 8,000 transportation professionals - both women and men - with 50 chapters representing cities and states in the United States, Canada and Great Britain.

WTS's vision is the transformation of the transportation industry through the global advancement of women. To facilitate that goal, the next generation of leaders must be fostered and supported in their pursuits. Our Scholarship Program is one way that we demonstrate support.

The Central Virginia Chapter offers local scholarship awards in the amount of $500 for each of the below Scholarships. WTS International scholarship awards vary by scholarship. The Patsy G. Napier Future Transportation Leader Scholarship is offered to High School Senior Girls in the amount of $500 and is provided by Central Virginia Chapter, solely. Completed applications are due no later than Wednesday, January 1st, 2025.

WTS International Scholarship Opportunities

The preferred submission method is via email. Completed scholarship applications may be emailed to Anna Settlemyer, Chapter Scholarship Chair, at [email protected].

All mailed applications can be sent to the address below:
Timmons Group
ATTN: WTS Central Virginia – Scholarships
c/o Anna Settlemyer
1001 Boulders Pkwy, Suite 300
Richmond, Virginia 23225

Sharon D. Banks Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship

This scholarship in the amount of $500 is awarded to women pursuing undergraduate studies in transportation or a related field and honors Sharon D. Banks, general manager of Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District in Oakland, CA, during most of the 1990's.  She led the agency in a pioneering effort to introduce cultural and organizational changes aimed at motivating the public transit workforce.  She was a member of the WTS Advisory Board and received the WTS San Francisco Chapter Woman and Employer of the Year Awards.

Please access the Sharon D. Banks Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship application here.

Helene M. Overly Memorial Graduate Scholarship

The Helene M. Overly Scholarship was established in 1981 to honor the first Executive Secretary of WTS for her dedicated service to the organization in public service, organizational abilities and a spirit of determination that helped WTS nearly double its membership in two years.  To be eligible for this $500 scholarship, applicants must meet the above criteria and be enrolled in a graduate degree program in a transportation-related field such as engineering, planning, finance or logistics.

Please access the Helene M. Overly Memorial Graduate Scholarship application here.

Molitoris Leadership Scholarship for Undergraduates

The purpose of the Molitoris Leadership Scholarship is to motivate and reward women who demonstrate leadership in the transportation industry, ensuring that the essential leadership skills and perspectives of women are included in planning the transportation systems of the future. Leadership does not just happen. Leaders personally invest and risk much.  They take on struggles that many would avoid and persevere to reach successful outcomes.  These qualities receive special attention in the selection of the winner of this $500 award.

Please access the Molitoris Leadership Scholarship for Undergraduates application here.

Bridgette Baeto Leadership Legacy Scholarship for Graduates

The Bridgette Baeto Leadership Legacy Fund has been established to honor the past, present, and future leaders of WTS by awarding an annual scholarship to female graduate students pursuing a career in transportation. Each year, the Leadership Legacy Scholarship will provide a $5,000 award to a young woman pursuing a career in transportation. Eligible candidates are pursuing graduate degrees in transportation or a related field and demonstrate leadership skills and an active commitment to community service. For this year's award, focus is on women who demonstrate leadership in bringing ideas, innovation, and innovative approaches to transportation challenges in the US and beyond.  It includes candidates who have a specific interest in addressing the impact of transportation on sustainability, land use, environmental impact, security, and quality of life issues affecting communities around the globe.

Please access the Bridgette Baeto Leadership Legacy Scholarship for Graduates application here.

Junior College Scholarship

WTS fosters the development of women in the transportation field by encouraging bright new professionals to undertake careers in the area of transportation.  One way it does this is by awarding community, technical, or trade college scholarships to women pursuing transportation-related study at community and trade colleges.  This scholarship, intended for students pursuing an Associate or technical degree, is in the amount of $500.

Please access the Junior College Scholarship application here.

WTS Transportation YOU High School Scholarship

WTS awards the Transportation YOU Scholarship to girls pursuing high school studies in science, technology, engineering and math to foster the development of women and girls in the transportation field by encouraging bright new professionals and students to undertake careers in the area of transportation. The Transportation YOU High School Scholarship is in the amount of $500.

Please access the WTS Transportation YOU High School Scholarship application here.

Patsy G. Napier Future Transportation Leader Scholarship

WTS - Central Virginia awards the Patsy G. Napier Future Transportation Leader Scholarship to graduating High School Senior women pursuing undergraduate studies in transportation or a related field in honor of Patricia G. Napier, Founding President of the Central Virginia Chapter of WTS. Patsy worked for the Virginia Department of Transportation for 37 years and then continued her career by working in the private sector where she served as a Senior Technical Advisor for McCormick Taylor, Inc. until June 2016. She has always felt that in order for young women to achieve their highest potential in the field of transportation they must have available to them the opportunity of higher education.

Please access the Patsy G. Napier Future Transportation Leader Scholarship application here.