The Mujer al Volante team of Federal Way was honored at an event on May 17 at the Abigail Stuart House in Olympia with their selection as the Washington Organization of the Year. Sen. Claire Wilson (D-District 30) presented Mujer al Volante’s award, and the evening featured a keynote by state Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti.
“I’m deeply honored by this award. It symbolizes the power of immigrant communities supporting one another, and it’s a recognition from the state that the leadership of immigrant Latina women is driving the services our communities truly need,” founder Jaqueline Garcia Castillo told the Mirror.
She added that the award is especially meaningful now, “at a time when vulnerable communities face so many attacks,” and calling it a “sign of respect for our existence.”
She expressed gratitude for the honor from the Washington State Leadership Board (WSLB), not only speaking for herself or her organization, but also on behalf of the communities they serve.
The nonprofit Mujer al Volante provides driving instruction classes in a variety of languages, tailoring their programming to the needs of immigrant, refugee and asylee women and mothers.
Their programs have aided over 1,400 women in obtaining their driver’s licenses, which WSLB noted are “vital for independence and mobility within their communities.”
Mujer al Volante also offers programs to support empowerment, autonomy and civic engagement like Driving the Computer, Driving My Finances, Driving the Democracy and Driving My Business.
Responsive to the needs of the community, the organization began with classes in Spanish, but has added more languages including Dari, Pashto, Ukrainian, Arabic, Kurdish, French and soon, Somali.
Garcia Castillo founded Mujer al Volante in 2013. At the time, she didn’t have a driver’s license and was low-income and experiencing domestic violence. These experiences drove her to create the resources she needed then — and more.
Today, Mujer al Volante is a “unique, nationwide nonprofit with a driving education program specifically designed for mothers and women, breaking barriers and creating opportunities for independence and growth.”
The Washington State Leadership Board (WSLB) is a trustee agency of Washington state that focuses on celebrating and empowering leaders. By state statute, WSLB is one of the few trustee agencies with the authority to officially bestow honors on behalf of the state, according to the organization’s website.
Each year they select awards including the Washingtonian of the Year, Washington Organization of the Year, Legacy of Service Award, Justice for All Award and Emerging Leader award.
Founder Jaqueline Garcia Castillo was also recently selected as one of ten trailblazing women in a series by Seattle Culture.
Senator Claire Wilson (D-WA) presented the award to Mujer al Volante. Photo courtesy of Washington State Leadership Board
Senator Yasmin Trudeau who received Washingtonian of the Year and Jaqueline Garcia Castillo, founder of Mujer al Volante, the Organization of the Year. Photo courtesy of the Washington State Leadership Board
Senator Claire Wilson (D-WA) with Jaqueline Garcia Castillo, founder and CEO of nonprofit Mujer al Volante. Photo courtesy of Washington State Leadership Board
