By Sue O’Brien, Customer Experience Executive Board Member, Modeshift
Hertfordshire County Council
International Women’s Day is a chance to pause, reflect and celebrate progress – but it’s also a moment to think about how we continue to move forward together. This year’s theme, ‘Give to Gain,’ really resonates with me, both personally and professionally.
Throughout my career, I’ve seen first-hand that when we give our time, our knowledge and our support generously, the impact goes far beyond individual outcomes. When women are supported to thrive, communities become healthier, safer and more connected and that benefits everyone.
My journey into sustainable travel
I began my career at Hertfordshire County Council 14 years ago as School Crossing Patrol. It was a role rooted in care, visibility and responsibility – ensuring children could travel to and from school safely every day. From there, I progressed to School Crossing Patrol Area Supervisor, and later, following a department restructure, into a Road Safety Officer role.
It was in this role that my Modeshift journey truly began. I delivered road safety initiatives in schools, supported behaviour change campaigns and worked closely with schools on their Modeshift STARS Travel Plans. Seeing how small, practical changes could make a real difference to school communities was incredibly motivating.
Today, as Hertfordshire’s Modeshift STARS Lead Officer, I manage, mentor and support our Sustainable Travel Officers, ensuring their work aligns with both Modeshift STARS and Hertfordshire’s wider strategies – including our Local Transport Plan 4, Active Travel Strategy, Sustainable Hertfordshire Strategy, and Sustainable Modes of Travel Strategy (SMoTS).
I’m incredibly proud that we now have 147 Modeshift STARS accredited Travel Plans across the county, a real testament to the dedication of the team and the power of long-term, collaborative working.
Why I give my time to Modeshift
I joined the Modeshift Board because I genuinely love all things Modeshift. Becoming the STARS Education Representative has been both a professional and personal achievement for me.
As a volunteer Board Member, giving my time is about more than governance. It’s about supporting a network that champions health and wellbeing, active travel and environmental sustainability, while also creating space for people, particularly women, to grow in confidence, leadership and influence.
One of the most rewarding parts of my work is supporting schools that are initially resistant. When they begin to see positive changes through their Travel Plan, safer streets, healthier pupils, stronger community connections, it’s incredibly powerful. Knowing you’ve helped enable that change, not just for the school but for the wider community, is the best feeling.
Give to Gain: what it means in practice
The Give to Gain theme reminds us that progress doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when people choose to contribute, whether that’s through time, expertise, encouragement or visibility.
In active and sustainable travel, giving looks like:
- Supporting women into leadership and decision-making roles
- Sharing knowledge and mentoring others
- Creating safer, more inclusive environments for walking, wheeling and cycling
- Ensuring children and young people have access to education that empowers them to make informed choices
These contributions may feel small in isolation, but together they build momentum and that momentum creates lasting change.
Looking ahead
Being recognised with the Team Modeshift Contribution to Sustainable Travel Award 2025 was a huge honour, but it also reinforced why I do this work. It’s not about individual recognition – it’s about collective impact.
On this International Women’s Day, I encourage everyone to think about what they can give, whether that’s time, support, advocacy or encouragement. Because when we give generously, we all gain – stronger communities, healthier lives and a more equal future.
