This is historical material “frozen in time”. The website is no longer updated and links to external websites and some internal pages may not work.

Search form

Women in Transportation: Driving the Economy

Summary: 
The White House honors women’s success in careers in transportation.

Yesterday at the White House, we honored women’s success in careers in transportation. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, and I addressed leaders from across the transportation sector.

The leaders had an insightful and wide-ranging discussion about expanding women’s opportunities in one of our country’s most economically important sectors.

The event also focused on the importance of training in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) for the transportation field, since many jobs require a strong foundation in STEM areas of study, in which women and girls historically are underrepresented, and where a lot of our efforts are focused.

One way the White House is supporting STEM education for girls is through the Equal Futures Partnership. We made a commitment to find mentors, increase STEM education, and broaden STEM skill training online. 

President Obama is also committed to empowering women abroad to expand their rights, which in turn drives economic growth. In combination with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Women in Transportation effort is a key part of that commitment, along with the Women and the Economy work that Secretary Clinton initiated in APEC.

Yesterday’s event highlighted our continued commitment to break down barriers in fields like transportation, so that every woman and girl can live up to her true potential.

Valerie Jarrett is a Senior Advisor to President Obama and Chair of the Council of Women and Girls.