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Recognition Awards

WTS-DC Chapter 2023 Recognition Award Recipients and Recognitions committee members pose at the 2023 WTS-DC Holiday Party.
2023 WTS-DC Recognition Award Recipients and Committee Leaders

 

WTS-DC Recognition Awards

Nominations now open!

WTS-DC is seeking nominations for the 2024 Recognition Awards by July 15.

WTS-DC recognizes the area's leading women who have had a significant impact on transportation, as well as prominent men and distinguished organizations in our nation's capital—public or private—that support the development, growth and advancement of women in transportation. 

Recognitions are a great way to acknowledge those who support our local WTS-DC Chapter and heighten awareness of the WTS International mission and goals. Nominate a deserving woman, man, colleague, employer, or transportation idol for one of WTS-DC’s six Recognition Awards. WTS-DC’s 2024 Member of the Year and other awardees will be honored at our chapter's most prominent and widely attended event, the WTS-DC Holiday Party on December 3, 2024.

For 2024, the award categories are:

Read more about the awards below and access the online nomination form for each category using the links above. Please note that you cannot save and return to the form. You will need to complete and submit all at once, so have all requested information together when you’re ready to submit. Nominations are being accepted now through July 15 at 5:00 PM EST.

Descriptions of the six Recognition Awards are below. Nomination submissions should explain how the nominated person, people, project, or organization meets the selection criteria for the award. 

Award Categories

For more information on WTS-DC's Recognition Awards Categories, please read below: 

Member of the Year: Honors a WTS member who has made extraordinary contributions to the success of WTS. Selection shall be based on the following criteria:

  1. A member who has shown an extraordinary commitment to the goals and growth of WTS by working effectively in support of WTS goals. (Identify activities.)
  2. A member who has promoted the reputation of WTS within the transportation industry. (Include an explanation describing how and what was done.)
  3. A member who has worked effectively to strengthen communication between local and international WTS levels or between chapters.
  4. A member who has done an outstanding job of revitalizing or expanding a chapter or any of its functions.

NOTE: Members of the International Board of Directors should not be considered for Member of the Year merely because they have made significant current contributions to their local chapters.

Woman of the Year: Honors a woman who is an outstanding role model and has contributed to the advancement of women and minorities in transportation. Award is intended to reach beyond WTS-DC membership. Selection shall be based on the following criteria:

  1. A woman who is a leader in transportation and has made an outstanding contribution to the transportation industry.
  2. A woman who has directly contributed toward the advancement of women and minorities through programs or opportunities in the transportation field.
  3. A woman who through her career achievements and support of women in the industry has advanced the reputation and credibility of women in transportation.

Honorable Ray LaHood Award: Honors a man who is a leader in transportation and has contributed, directly and by example, to the advancement of women and minorities in the transportation field. Selection shall be based on the following criteria:

  1. A man who is a leader in transportation and has made an outstanding contribution to the transportation industry.
  2. A man who has directly contributed toward the advancement of women and minorities through programs or opportunities in the transportation field.
  3. A man who has led by example, seeking out opportunities to advance and advocate for women in his own organization, and who has actively ensured that women are able to compete for key positions of authority within that organization.
  4. A man who through his career achievements and support of women in the industry has advanced the reputation and credibility of women in transportation.

Employer of the Year: Honors an organization (company, non-profit, association or government agency) for recruiting, retaining and advancing women. Selection shall be based on the following criteria:

  1. An organization that includes women in executive and senior positions and leading major initiatives.
  2. An organization that has career development plans and succession programs in place for women to advance within the organization.
  3. An organization that provides continuing development for its female employees through:
    • Professional education
    • Professional organizations
    • Professional development opportunities
  4. An organization that encourages women students to enter the transportation field by providing internship opportunities.
  5. An organization that supports WTS through memberships, sponsorships, and employee involvement at the local and international levels.

Rosa Parks Diversity Leadership Award: Honors an individual(s) or organization(s) that has made significant contributions in promoting diversity and cultural awareness within their organization, the transportation industry, or in a project or activity that supports the goals and mission of WTS. Selection should be based on the following criteria:

  1. Exhibiting extraordinary efforts or initiatives in facilitating professional opportunities for women and minorities.
  2. Contributing significantly to promoting diversity, inclusion and multi-cultural awareness within his/her/the organization, the transportation industry, or in a project or activity that supports the goals and mission of WTS.

Innovative Transportation Solutions Award: This award salutes an innovative transportation project led by a woman. (Only completed projects will be considered for the award.) Selection shall be based on the following criteria:

  1. Describe the purpose of the transportation initiative, solution, project, or policy and the number of women involved from initiation to completion.
  2. Identify the key elements of the project and how the female project manager successfully implemented those elements.
  3. Illustrate how a female project manager successfully met and overcame challenges.
  4. Explain how the project achieved its purpose. 

Note: Depending on the qualifications of the nominees, not all award categories are necessarily recognized annually by the Chapter.

Contact Information 

If you have any questions regarding the nomination process or award program, please contact WTS-DC Recognitions Committee Chair Jamie Rosen.