U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao Hosts Celebration of Women’s History Month
U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao has hosted an event at U.S. Department of Transportation headquarters celebrating Women’s History Month. Participants were able to learn about women’s roles in key technological advances and prepare current and future generations of women leaders to achieve their full potential. “The Department is committed to helping build the next generation of women leaders in transportation,” said Secretary Chao. The event featured a mentoring session in which students were paired with a professional from academia, government, or industry. In addition, breakout sessions were held on successfully entering the transportation workforce and making mid-career moves. Attendees also heard from several of the Department’s senior leaders, including Federal Transit Administration Deputy Administrator K. Jane Williams, National Highway Transportation Safety Administration Deputy Administrator Heidi King, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Deputy Administrator Cathy F. Gautreaux, Federal Highway Administration Acting Administrator Brandye Hendrickson, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration Deputy Administrator Drue Pearce, and DOT Chief Information Officer Vicki Hildebrand. The U.S. Department of Transportation is committed to empowering women to succeed. Currently, there are 160 female executives throughout the Department and its modes. In addition, during fiscal year 2016, DOT’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program helped ensure that women-owned small businesses won a share of contracts awarded to firms working with recipients of Federal Aviation Administration, Federal Highway Administration, and Federal Transit Administration funds. These small businesses won 64 percent of these indirect contracts, for a total amount of more than $2.7 billion dollars.
