Women Who Move the Nation

In December 2019, the Conference of Minority Officials (COMTO) notified me that I was among 13 honorees to be recognized at the Celebrating Women Who Move the Nation Awards Breakfast in Washington DC in the spring of 2020. The ceremony usually occurs during Women’s History Month and is held to recognize the outstanding contributions of women who are leading and advancing America’s transportation industry.

The 2020 award ceremony was canceled due to the worldwide pandemic; and the award ceremony took place virtually on September 28th, 2021. Follows an excerpt of my speech:

“Good afternoon,

First, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to COMTO, its Board of Directors, the WWMTN Committee, former President & CEO BM, Former Interim President and CEO TM, and Interim President and CEO Dr. GB for the honor awarded me today. I am deeply thankful.

I would also like to extend my congratulations to my fellow honorees. I am humbled to be counted among you.

I further extend my gratitude to:

My parents; my father for teaching me the leadership values of hard work, ethics, legacy, and purpose; my mother for drilling into me that these values can be hurtful without compassion and empathy.

My children for teaching me resilience and fortitude to start a new life every morning despite yesterday’s challenges, and for the courage to speak up for a better tomorrow for tomorrow will be their present.

My mentees, who have taught me to walk my talk every day, living a life of integrity and curiosity.

To my organization, for the constant support over the past 3 years, for the vision to recognize that my voice, reflective of my race, ethnicity, and unique identity, added to our Leadership Ranks can only make us a better and stronger organization; and for our latest corporate commitment to further equity through transportation and mobility solutions as a recognition that we must all be involved in the fight for equity, no matter the demographics we hail from.

To the many, who often, without realizing it have taught me invaluable lessons, mentored, and sponsored me over the years and encouraged me to live my dreams even though I was not always prepared to manifest them in another place.

To the United States, my country of adoption, that I love beyond words and that finds itself, nowadays, questioning the many contributions of brown and black immigrants, my story is one of many and is a reminder that given opportunities, we are meaningful and unavoidable contributors to a more perfect union.

To the many I have cited above and to those who have crossed my path and marked my journey, this award is as much yours as it is mine. Thank you.