RTD commemorates Women's History Month

Diversity Spotlight celebrates the diversity of RTD employees and the larger community that RTD serves and fosters an appreciation of our social and cultural similarities and differences. Diversity Spotlight supports RTD’s values of passion, respect, diversity, trustworthiness, collaboration and ownership.

The first weeklong celebration of Women’s History Month happened in the school district of Sonoma, California, in 1978. During this time, students participated in presentations, essay contests and even a parade in downtown Santa Rosa. This celebration evolved into the creation of the National Women’s History Alliance. The organization declared the theme for 2024 to be “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.” This theme recognizes the work of women in the reevaluation of the status quo implementing equity for all.

Some women from history who have challenged the status quo include Sojourner Truth, who escaped from slavery to become an abolitionist and fought for gender equality; Dolores Huerta, who founded the United Farm Workers of America and fought for workers’ rights; Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, who co-founded STAR, an organization that advocates for young transgender people; and Gloria Steinem, who takes an intersectional approach to her feminist work.

National women's history is local to Denver. Sarah Breedlove started her hair products business in Denver in 1905, eventually becoming a millionaire known as Madam C.J. Walker. Polly Baca, in 1974, became the first Hispanic woman elected to not just the Colorado State Legislature, but any state legislature. Madeleine Albright, although not born in Denver, came of age in Denver and interned for The Denver Post, later becoming the first female U.S. Secretary of State. Her father, Joseph Korbel, a professor at the University of Denver, taught a young Condoleezza Rice, who would become the first Black female U.S. Secretary of State.

As impressive as these stories are, there is no need to look outside RTD to find women actively advocating for equity, diversity and inclusion, which are key to making lives better through connections. RTD strives to create an equitable and inclusive workplace for all its employees that ensures equal pay and freedom from discrimination and harassment on the basis of gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status and any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances.

RTD invites all its employees to commemorate Women’s History Month with their teams and/or individually. Some suggestions include:

Diversity Spotlight recognizes special observances as set forth by presidential proclamation, executive order and public law, and in keeping with RTD’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. Please note that participation in these activities is voluntary and unpaid. Supervisor approval is required to participate if events occur during a regularly scheduled shift.