Reagan National Airport salutes our women employees for their contributions.
To commemorate Women's History Month 2021, Reagan National Airport is launching a new series #LeadingTheWay, acknowledging the tremendous efforts of women working to effectively communicate the ever-changing situation both within the organization and externally to our passengers.
They contributed to seamless running of the airport during the pandemic and are now shaping the recovery process.
Sergeant Takeena White | Amanda Ohbayashi | Kina S. Martin
Sergeant Takeena White - Public Safety
Role: "As the Training Sergeant, it is my duty to transform uniformed and civilian members of the Police Department into law enforcement professionals. Sworn personnel are equipped with skilled communication and tactical knowledge necessary to protect life, the rights and property of the Airports Authority, employees and the traveling public. "
Motivation: "My 4 year old daughter, Olivia, is my personal motivation. She has personality and zeal well beyond her years. As a minority female, she along with my niece are a constant reminder of the importance of representation in service to the community."
"Women’s history month honors the contributions and triumphs of those women who have made a notable impact in history. Honoring these contributions serve as a reminder of obstacles overcome. It is a time for all to reflect on the strides our Nation has made and the work that needs to be done. Women’s History Month inspires change for future generations, no matter the gender, race or ethnicity."
Amanda Ohbayashi - Digital Marketing Strategist, Marketing
Role: "I'm the person behind your two favorite airports on social media. I love what I do! I get to be online and engage with people every day. I never knew about #AirportTwitter before I worked here, but it's a great community to be part of. I've had the opportunity to do and see so much through my role. Being up close with the planes is always exhilarating. Welcoming new flights and touring the planes on the ground is a privilege that most people don't get to do! I've been flying through both IAD and DCA for decades, and I love being able to represent them now in the digital space."
"It's great to see more women being recognized at all levels. I especially love seeing women in the aviation community. It's a male-driven industry, so any chance I get to recognize female Pilots, Air Traffic Controllers, Crew, Gate Agents, AvGeeks, etc, I try to. We bring so much to the table in every different way."
Ruth Bader Ginsburg once said, "Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn't be that women are the exception", and I truly believe that.
Kina S. Martin- Toll Road Finance Division Manager, Toll Road
Role: "My role at MWAA, specifically at the Dulles Toll Road for the past 32 years, I’ve felt has always been to “Keep Virginia Moving” no matter what my job title was. Since I first began at DTR, I’ve always been motivated to ensure as much as I could the safety of the traveling public and that we as a toll facility were equitable and responsible with our actions and management."
Motivation: "What motivates me personally and professionally is to continue to shape my small corner of the world into something worth having. A remarkable woman in our history Amelia Earhart said, “If enough of us keep trying- we’ll get someplace.”I believe that."
"Women’s history month acknowledges women’s contributions, the women yesterday provided a stepping stone for women today to do better and be more. In the past hundred years, we won the right to vote, traveled to space and ran for president. Those are huge accomplishments in such a small blip of time compared to the length of human history. The contributions of the women of history also shaped their small corners of the world. “The key to life is not accumulation. It’s contribution” said Stephen Covey. The small corners that we women shape today will provide stepping stones for the women who come after us. Who knows how far we will get, maybe Mars, maybe further? Most likely and my hope is that those women will go places that we never dreamed possible. "