5 Women Driving Change in Mobility
In the last article, I highlighted some major barriers women face in transportation. I’d encourage you to go back and read this article to have a better grasp on the areas in which change needs to take place in the transportation industry. While there is more work to be done to advocate for equitable transportation for all genders, there are many women currently making huge strides towards advancing the way. Check out these five notable women driving change:
1. Janette Sadik-Khan who has become one of the leading change makers in urban transportation policy. During her time as Commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation from 2007-2013 Sadik-Khan lead the way transforming New York City’s streets into more equitable, economic, and usable spaces. Check out her TedTalk or get her book, Steetfight: Handbook for an Urban Revolution.
2. Ellen Voie, President & CEO of Women in Trucking Association has spent her career empowering women in the trucking industry. Founded in 2007, Women in Trucking Association has supported thousands of women in the operations and management of trucking companies throughout the United States. In 2012, she was selected by the White House as a Transportation Innovators Champion of Change and continues to make huge strides in a male-dominated industry to drive change through diversity, inclusion, and growth. Watch this interview from 2020 with Craig Fuller on Fuller Speed Ahead as Voie discusses how the fight for equality in the trucking industry is far from over.
3. Sandra Phillips, founder and CEO of movmi Shared Transportation Services, is an architect and advocate for shared mobility and female leadership. Her passion is to build transportation solutions that are sustainable in the long run. She has started over 60 shared mobility projects around the globe to give access to more individuals while also reducing carbon emissions. Watch this TedTalk in 2018, Transforming Transport with Shared Mobility, to learn more about her incredible work.
4. Dr. Anita Sengupta is an aerospace engineer, who worked with NASA for 17 years before going into the private sector to help develop sustainable transportation solutions. Dr. Sengupta is the founder and CEO of Hydroplane, an emission free aviation technology company. She uses her leadership skills and education to help design and lead the future of transportation. Listen to this presentation, The Future of Transportation: From Flying Cars to Humans on Mars, to find out more about Dr. Sengupta’s passion.
5. Caroline Criado Perez is an author, journalist, and activist who has been researching the bias of a world designed for men. Her research on car crash dummies to learn how the transportation industry has lacked in providing methods, design, and intentionality to serve women. Check out one of her interviews or read her book, Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men.
