2017 Scholarship Recipients
The WTS Foundation awards scholarships to women who are pursuing careers in transportation through undergraduate and graduate programs. The scholarships are competitive and based on the applicant’s specific transportation goals, academic record and transportation-related activities or job skills. Minority candidates are encouraged to apply. Local Chapters may have additional requirements (such as personal interviews or higher GPA). Please contact your local WTS chapter for more information. All applications are submitted through a chapter.
The chapters submit their nominations for consideration to a Selection Committee composed of Foundation Board members. The WTSF scholarships include:
Sharon D. Banks Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship
This scholarship in the amount of $5,000 is awarded to women pursuing undergraduate studies in transportation or a related field and honors Sharon D. Banks, general manager of Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District in Oakland, CA, during most of the 1990’s. She led the agency in a pioneering effort to introduce cultural and organizational changes aimed at motivating the public transit work force. She was a member of the WTS Advisory Board and received the WTS San Francisco Chapter Woman and Employer of the Year Awards.
Helene M. Overly Memorial Graduate Scholarship
The Helene M. Overly Scholarship was established in 1981 to honor the first Executive Secretary of WTS for her dedicated service to the organization in public service, organizational abilities and a spirit of determination that helped WTS nearly double its membership in two years. To be eligible for this $10,000 scholarship, applicants must meet the above criteria and be enrolled in a graduate degree program in a transportation-related field such as engineering, planning, finance or logistics.
Molitoris Leadership Scholarship for Undergraduates
The purpose of the Molitoris Leadership Scholarship is to motivate and reward women who demonstrate leadership in the transportation industry, ensuring that the essential leadership, skills and perspective of women are included in planning the transportation systems of the future. Leadership does not just happen. Leaders personally invest and risk much. They take on struggles that many would avoid and persevere to reach successful outcomes. These qualities receive special attention in the selection of the winner of this $5,000 award.
Leadership Legacy Scholarship for Graduates
Leadership Legacy Fund has been established to honor the past, present, and future leaders of WTS by awarding an annual scholarship to female graduate students pursuing a career in transportation. Each year, the Leadership Legacy Scholarship will provide a $5,000 award to a young woman pursuing a career in transportation. Eligible candidates are pursuing graduate degrees in transportation or a related field and demonstrate leadership skills and an active commitment to community service. For this year’s award, focus is on women who demonstrate leadership in bringing ideas, innovation and new approaches to transportation challenges in the US and beyond. It includes candidates who have a specific interest in addressing the impact of transportation on sustainability, land use, environmental impact, security and quality of life issues affecting communities around the globe.
Junior College Scholarship
WTS fosters the development of women in the transportation field by encouraging bright new professionals to undertake careers in the area of transportation. One way it does this is by awarding community, technical, or trade college scholarships to women pursuing transportation-related study at community and trade colleges. This scholarship, intended for students pursuing an Associate or technical degree, is in the amount of $1,000.
WTS Transportation YOU High School Scholarship
WTS awards the Transportation YOU Scholarship to girls pursuing high school studies in science, technology, engineering and math to foster the development of women and girls in the transportation field by encouraging bright new professionals and students to undertake careers in the area of transportation. The Transportation YOU High School Scholarship is in the amount of $1,000.
Lea+Elliott Transportation YOU DC Summit Scholarship
These awards totalling $5,000 are given to several teens to cover the registration fee to attend the annual Transportation YOU DC Youth Summit, held in Washington, DC, each year as the flagship event of the WTS Transportation YOU program. The Summit registration includes lodging, meals, tours, and associated Summit transportation.