Sound Transit receives National Rosa Parks Diversity Leadership Award

National organization recognizes transit agency for ‘extraordinary' efforts in promoting opportunities for women, minorities

Sound Transit was honored last night with the National Women's Transportation Seminar's Rosa Parks Diversity Leadership Award. The award, which recognizes organizations, companies and individuals for outstanding efforts in promoting opportunities for women and minorities in the transportation industry, was presented at the organization's annual awards banquet at the Hyatt Regency in San Francisco.

Leslie Jones, Diversity Program Manager at Sound Transit, accepted the award on behalf of the agency. "Sound Transit has worked with tireless dedication to bring training, contracting and other business opportunities to the region's diverse communities," Jones said. "Our organization has established an exemplary track record of hiring women and people of color, and continues to actively facilitate the participation of small and disadvantaged businesses in its construction projects."

The transit agency was recognized for creating opportunities for disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs). Of the contracts invoiced for the University Link project, for instance, $30 million, or 28 percent, were performed by DBE firms. Another $14 million-13 percent-were performed by small businesses, for a total of 41 percent of University Link contract work done by small and DBE firms to date.

The award also recognizes Sound Transit for building a diverse workforce. Minorities comprise 22 percent of the agency's employees and women, 46 percent. Twenty-two percent of the agency's managers are minorities and 44 percent are female.

The award follows Sound Transit's receipt of the WTS Puget Sound Chapter's Rosa Parks Award in March.