By Michelle Allison, Metro General Manager
In 1976, President Gerald Ford officially recognized February as Black History Month to honor and commemorate the contributions of African Americans in every facet of American life. In 2016, President Barack Obama stated about Black History Month, “It’s about the lived, shared experience of all African Americans, high and low, famous and obscure, and how those experiences have shaped and challenged and ultimately strengthened America.”
At Metro, we understand that to become anti-racist and pro-equity, our celebration of Black History Month must be centered on the experiences of those who continue to push us to model and champion our values. We know that Black women live with the double burden of racism and sexism – these intersecting experiences are critical for us to hold as we collectively envision an anti-racist and pro-equity future.
This year, we are celebrating the Black women at Metro and the difference they make in operations. The following are their stories of hope, perseverance, and resilience and we are so grateful for their vulnerability and the paths they have forged not only for themselves, but for all those who will come after them. Even with the progress that has been made in the last 46 years of celebrating Black History Month, we know there is still more work ahead of us.
Aiyana Brown, Transit Superintendent, Bus Operations
Aiyana’s journey at Metro began in 2002 as a part-time Transit Operator. At the time, Aiyana was working on completing her Associate of Arts (AA) degree at Seattle Central College (SSC), as a single mother.
“I had no idea where the future would take me, I knew I desired more for life and my children. In 2005, four months after giving birth to my third child, I received my AA. In 2008, I became a full-time employee at Metro and accomplished my goal of becoming a homeowner and began to experience more financial stability.”
Since 2015, Aiyana has held several roles at Metro, including First Line Supervisor, a Special Duty Assignment (SDA) in Scheduling, Chief of Operations, and most recently promoted to her current position as the Atlantic Base Superintendent. Yet, these opportunities did not come without difficulties.
“I’ve encountered many challenges that many others in Bus Operations can relate to. From going part-time to full-time to the lack of support in understanding or receiving FMLA [family medical leave act] as a pregnant employee to the barriers that were created when calculating the transition into full-time status.
My career mobility at Metro has not been without institutional challenges. I’ve experienced and witnessed racism, sexism, and ageism. People have made inaccurate assumptions and accusations as to why I’ve been able to move up the ranks of leadership. Despite the oppression I’ve encountered, my institutional knowledge and ability to lead has gotten me where I am today at Metro.”
Towards the end of her time as a Transit Operator, Aiyana shares how she knew she was ready for the next step in career, despite the uncertainty ahead.
“I remember feeling complacent and wanting to do something different. I wanted a job that allowed me more flexibility so that I could meaningfully participate in my children’s extra-curricular activities on the weekends. I was encouraged by a close friend (retired supervisor) to apply for a supervisor-in-training position, but I didn’t see many first line staff that resembled me—a young, Black woman. I was scared, but I knew that it was something I had to do for me and my family.”
When you look ahead at your career at Metro, what are you most hopeful about?
“I’m hopeful that we will continue our equity work and not regress to where we’ve been in the past.”
What advice would you share with someone who is just beginning their career at Metro?
“That career options at King County Metro are as big as you can dream. Build a community of people you can rely on and trust. Side note: trust is earned and not given!! And treat everyone respectfully, you never know when you’ll be reporting to someone who once reported to you.”
Penny Scott, Transit Operator, Bus Operations
Penny’s journey at Metro started 28 years ago on July 11, 1995. Since then, she has served on several committees including Safety, Comfort Station, Shop Steward, Chief Shop Steward, Metro Employees Recreational Activities Association (MERAA), and the ATU Women’s Caucus. In 2019, she founded the ATU Black Caucus where she is currently serving as President.
While Penny has seen equity evolve throughout her time at Metro with advancement opportunities with part-time drivers, she shares that there are still more that can be done to support senior operators. As an advocate for senior operators, Penny shares, “We are most definitely being overlooked as far advancement within Metro. When I started at Metro, merit meant something as far as job advancement. Fast forward to 2023, merit is no longer a thing, which can be really disheartening for senior operators.”
When you look ahead at your career at Metro, what are you most hopeful about?
“I’m hopeful that I will advance, I’m taking courses to help me. There are six courses required and I have already taken three courses and I will complete the last three by June. Fingers crossed.”
What advice would you share with someone who is just beginning their career at Metro?
“Take advantage of all of the opportunities that’s open for you. Please don’t think you have to be here for years in order for you to advance.”
Janice Mann, Lead Transit Facilities Electrician, Rail
A year and a half ago, Janice began her career at Metro as a Transit Facilities Electrician (TFE). While she has enjoyed her work and feels fortunate to be a part of the Rail team, her journey has not been without experiences with racism and sexism.
“When I started at Rail, I was the only female of color on my crew. At its very foundation, the culture in the shop was broken. The values of the organization were not in alignment with the operation within my work group. That meant there was work to do to bring the two into alignment. To my surprise, Rail was willing to do that work, and we are still doing that work today. Our management team brought in EIB [Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging] training and had the difficult conversations with the crew in order to address equity and social justice.”
Janice says her experiences at Metro have helped her reveal strengths and motivations she didn’t know existed. It has also helped her to grow as a leader.
“Throughout my journey here, I have found myself constantly reassessing who I am and what I want in life and at work. I have had to stretch as a leader and adjust my style to be productive with my work group. I have seen progress in how my specific situation was handled but am saddened that we are still struggling to address the issues of equity. I am still in a place where I am not free to exist without the fear of being mistreated because of who I am and how I look.
My struggle has been between my desire for peace and my determination not to give up. The positive is that I have learned so much about myself in this time and I have found pride in how I have been able to get up more times than I have been knocked down. Each day before I walk into the shop, I remind myself that we all deserve the opportunity to work and excel in this space! That is the new narrative!”
When you look ahead at your career at Metro, what are you most hopeful about?
“The division [Rail] is growing, I am hopeful that growth will equate to positive change. I am hopeful that the values that Rail boasts will be represented in the way we grow and the actions we take in our internal and external relations. I hope that the effort that our division puts into promoting its dedication to equity and social justice will be evident in the way our organization operates and show up for those who work here. I’d like to see the move to have all groups represented at all levels of operation. I am hopeful that this is the direction we are moving in and that it will continue to be the work of the organization.
What advice would you share with someone who is just beginning their career at Metro?
“I believe Metro is an amazing place to be. There is so much potential here to do good things for yourself and others. This is an opportunity to work with and learn from people who are truly dedicated to the things that are and will continue to shape the world, not only in the vital services we provide to mobilize our communities but also in growing and moving those who we work beside daily. But, as with any entity, there are challenges. To be successful here, you must be willing to face those challenges with the intention of improving the organization and yourself. Your journey at Metro is a journey that is well worth the traveling, make the most of it!”
Judy Young, Transit Operations Chief, Streetcar
Judy’s career at Metro started 33 years ago. Over the course of career, she has served both Metro and ATU Local 587 in numerous capacities.
“My evolution has been trial and error—finding a safe space, challenging dominating male personalities, and building and trusting alliances in the workplace. I have no regrets and wouldn’t trade the experience for anything because my journey has allowed me to inspire others, show up as my authentic self, and continue as an ambassador for change and truths.”
As Judy reflects on her early days at Metro to where it is today, she shares that while diversity has increased, there is still a noticeable gender imbalance.
“Reminiscing from my first day at Metro to my current position, the workforce is becoming diverse within management but not gender balanced. Three and half years ago, Metro was evolving in terms of equity. However, Metro needs to be evenhanded, not impassive, and transparent and hold employees accountable for not practicing equity and racial justice.”
When you look ahead at your career at Metro, what are you most hopeful about?
“When thinking about what I am most hopeful for and my career ahead is that someday Metro will be genuinely inspired to create a safe and secure, supportive environment for all employees. Employees can explore and develop an understanding of all cultures thinking beyond race, ethnicity, and the effects of privilege (privilege is an imbalance of power. It’s invisible to those who possess it and ever-present for those who don’t) in the workplace.”
What advice would you share with someone who is just beginning their career at Metro?
“This is shared advice for us all and a reminder for Ambassadors of Equity and Racial Justice, ‘Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can’t be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest.’ – Maya Angelou.”