February is Black History Month
In honor of WTS Philadelphia's 45th anniversary, our Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee is highlighting 45 female transportation pioneers, leaders and rising stars throughout the year. These 45 women in transportation have made an impact, continue to make us proud, and demonstrate the inextricable link between women and the success of our industry. Join us in celebrating the first four of the 45 women!
February is Black History Month. This is a dedicated a time to recognize, honor and celebrate the invaluable contributions of African Americans throughout history. WTS is celebrating Black History Month by highlighting the contributions of inspiring Black women who made a substantial mark in the transportation field. Lesser known to some, but no less important to all, Lois Cooper, Bessie Coleman, Elizabeth Jennings Graham, and Carmen Turner deserve our recognition and gratitude for their great contributions to our industry.
1) Lois Cooper
Lois Cooper’s love of math would change the transportation industry. Born in Vicksburg, Mississippi in 1931, Ms. Cooper studied mathematics at Los Angeles City College in Los Angeles, California, the only black woman in her class. She became the first female African American transportation engineer at the California Department of Transportation. Long before computers or calculators, Ms. Cooper was one of the best in her department at calculating freeway alignment through trigonometry. While at Caltrans, she became the 2nd woman in the State of California to pass the professional engineers (PE) exam, passing the exam on her first attempt while caring for two children, her sick husband, and dealing with personal health challenges. Ms. Cooper persevered in the face of great discrimination and personal challenges and was passionate about serving as a role model throughout her life. In an interview, she reminisced on her experiences, saying, “I go to talk to schools on career days, and act as a role model for the kids.”
2) Bessie Coleman
Just over 100 years ago, Bessie Coleman became the first Black person to earn an international pilot’s license. After several unsuccessful attempts to enter aviation schools in the United States, Ms. Coleman, undeterred, taught herself French and entered the Caudron Brothers School of Aviation in Le Crotoy, France. Ms. Coleman returned to the U.S. still barred from working as a pilot. Instead, she became a stunt flyer performing at air shows across the U.S. and speaking at churches, schools, and community events to share her story and encourage more people of color to enter the field of aviation. We salute Ms. Coleman for her pluck, her confidence and her paving the (air)way for Black men and women pilots today.
3) Carmen Turner
In 1983, Carmen Turner achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Black woman to assume leadership at a major public transit agency— now the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). Under her visionary stewardship, the Metro system underwent a remarkable expansion, boasting an impressive network of 73 miles and 63 stations. Notably, WMATA earned the prestigious title of the nation’s premier rail and bus transit system during Ms. Turner's tenure as General Manager. In addition to these impressive accomplishments, Ms. Turner emerged as a passionate advocate for civil rights and equal opportunity programs, leaving a lasting mark on these crucial areas throughout her distinguished career. The WTS Philadelphia Foundation honors Ms. Turner’s life and legacy through the Carmen E. Turner Graduate Scholarship each year. This scholarship is awarded to deserving women pursing graduate degrees in a transportation-related field.
4) Elizabeth Jennings Graham
Everyone knows the significant legacy of Rosa Parks and the impact she made on the civil rights movement. But have you heard of Elizabeth Jennings Graham? She is considered the “Rosa Parks of the 19th Century.” In the 1850s, horse-drawn streetcars emerged as a common mode of transportation. These streetcars, owned by private companies, enforced segregated seating and even barred access to Black men and women. In 1854, Elizabeth Jennings Graham, an organist at the First Colored Congregational Church, faced discrimination when she was forcibly removed from a streetcar. A lawsuit was filed, resulting in a landmark 1855 court ruling that declared equal rights for on public transportation. The jury awarded Ms. Jennings Graham damages, leading to the desegregation of the streetcars and eventually contributing to the broader desegregation of New York's public transit services by 1865.