WTS (Women's Transportation Seminar) International, an organization geared toward advancing women in transportation, recently honored the department with its Rosa Parks Diversity Leadership Award.  Roberta Broeker, chief financial officer, accepted the award on behalf of MoDOT.

The award recognizes organizations, companies and innovative individuals who are broadening their multicultural initiatives and changing corporate cultures and philosophies. The award honors individuals and organizations for promoting diversity, inclusiveness, and multicultural awareness.

In giving the award, the WTS cited MoDOT’s recent promotions of women to district and state engineer positions, as well as to the position of chief financial and administrative officer.  The group also highlighted the efforts of MoDOT’s Office of External Civil Rights, including its DBE Program, which certifies firms owned and operated by socially and economically disadvantage individuals. 

“MoDOT administrators and supervisors work hard to create an environment that is diverse and aware of the cultural differences each person brings to the work force,” said Jeanne Olubogun, president of the Metropolitan St. Louis WTS Chapter, when presenting the award. “It makes MoDOT a place where we can learn about and influence transportation, but also about the cultures that make us each unique.”

The award is named after Rosa Parks, the African American woman who was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Ala. in 1955.  Her action sparked led to new public transit laws and helped launch the modern American Civil rights movement.