The Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA) Foundation announced U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX) as recipients of its inaugural Wireless Leadership Awards. Both lawmakers received the awards during the annual Wireless Women’s Leadership Luncheon in Washington, D.C., yesterday. The event was hosted by the WIA Foundation in partnership with Women’s Wireless Leadership Forum (WWLF), powered by WIA.
“On behalf of WIA, the WIA Foundation and WWLF, we are honored to present Senator Capito and Congresswoman Fletcher with the 2025 Wireless Leadership Awards,” said WIA President/CEO Patrick Halley. “They are forward-leaning national leaders who have consistently supported policies to advance the full capabilities of wireless communications,” he said.
“In addition to their policy prowess, Senator Capito and Congresswoman Fletcher are exemplars and have paved the way forward for the next generation to lead our connected future,” said Amy Jo Samuel, WIA Foundation Chair and Vice President, Data and Digital Solutions, U.S. Tower Division, American Tower Corporation. “For their commitment and dedication, WIA Foundation is pleased to name them as our first Wireless Leadership Awards recipients.”
The WIA Foundation established the Wireless Leadership Awards to recognize leaders in government and the wireless infrastructure industry who embody the organization’s goal to advance the industry, including support for a strong wireless workforce necessary to achieve WIA’s mission of connectivity everywhere.
As West Virginia’s first female United States Senator, Capito has made it a point to inspire the next generation of female leaders, the WWLF points out. In 2015, she launched her West Virginia Girls Rise Up program to empower young women through education, physical fitness, and self-confidence. She has also been a leader in closing the digital divide, both in West Virginia and across the country, with legislation like the Rural Broadband Protection Act as well as consistent advocacy for fixed wireless home internet.
Congresswoman Fletcher has been a leader in supporting the importance of strong Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programs for students and their importance in preparing young people for the jobs of the future, according to the WWLF. She has been a constant advocate for broadband and wireless expansion, including sponsoring the bipartisan Reforming Broadband Connectivity Act and the Broadband Incentives for Communities Act, which encourages communities to improve permitting processes and deploy wireless faster. Fletcher has also been dedicated to ensuring connectivity benefits everyone through her support of the Affordable Connectivity Program and urging the FCC to expand language offerings for Wireless Emergency Alerts.
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