Women’s group praises NYC transportation pick

The Washington, D.C.-based group that advocates for women in transportation careers is applauding New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) for appointing a woman to lead the city’s transportation department in his new administration.

The group, WTS International, said de Blasio’s decision to appoint former U.S. Department of Transportation Undersecretary Polly Trottenberg would have a ripple affect across the country on drawing more women into transportation careers.

“Appointments such as these impact the future of the industry as they help attract more women to the transportation field and leadership roles in the public sector,” WTS President Marcia Ferranto said in a statement.

{mosads}”It’s important for young women and men in the field to be able to look up and see women in leadership roles,” Ferranto continued. “Workforce development strategies that advance women help grow a more gender-diverse industry and close the growing gap between the thousands of jobs that will be open in transportation over the next several years and the number of qualified professionals to fill them.”

Trottenberg’s appointment was announced by de Blasio on his first day in office Wednesday. She is a former aide to Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.).