Joy Franklin

I attribute my success to the strength and resilience I developed through overcoming significant adversity, as well as to my faith in God. My experiences with childhood abuse, an abusive marriage, and being told that I was unintelligent because of a learning disability could have defined my life, but instead, they became sources of strength and determination. I am inspired by women and children who have experienced abuse, and I am committed to showing them that their circumstances do not have to determine their future. My journey has taught me the power of perseverance, faith, and self-belief, and I hope my story encourages others to recognize their own strength and know that they, too, can overcome adversity and build a meaningful life.

The best career advice I have received is to never change who I am, because my personality and genuine care for others are among my greatest strengths. I have learned that when I remain authentic, lead with compassion, and truly care about the people around me, I am able to build meaningful relationships and achieve greater success. Staying true to myself and refusing to let others change the qualities that make me who I am has been an important part of my personal and professional growth.

I would encourage young women entering my industry to remain true to themselves and never allow negativity or doubt to discourage them from pursuing their goals. If you have a dream and believe in what you want to accomplish, keep moving forward and do not let anyone stand in your way. Surround yourself with inspiration by learning about women who have achieved success and reflecting on the challenges they overcame. Their journeys can serve as a reminder that persistence, confidence, and determination can turn your aspirations into reality. Most importantly, keep believing in yourself, keep pushing forward, and never give up on what you want to achieve.

One of the biggest challenges and opportunities in my field is creating greater representation for women, particularly women of color, in the transportation industry. Transit has traditionally been a male-dominated field, especially in leadership positions, so women can sometimes face additional barriers when trying to establish themselves and advance their careers. I believe, however, that these challenges also create opportunities to break barriers, open doors for others, and demonstrate that women belong in every level of the industry. Ultimately, we are all working toward the same goals, and by embracing diversity, respect, and collaboration, we can build a stronger and more inclusive industry for everyone.

The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life are compassion, service, and making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Having experienced homelessness, an abusive marriage, and childhood trauma, I understand how difficult it can be to face circumstances that feel beyond your control. These experiences have strengthened my desire to support people who may be struggling and unable to advocate for themselves. Being able to help someone overcome challenges, provide encouragement, and positively impact their life is deeply meaningful to me and remains at the heart of everything I do.