Remarkable Women: Meet Mary King, YOVASO Program Director
SALEM, Va. (WFXR) – Southwest and Central Virginia are filled with remarkable women, and we're introducing you to some during March during Nexstar's Remarkable Women contest.
Mary King is one of the four finalists in the contest. King is dedicated to teenagers and safety and has used innovative ways to keep the non-profit Youth of Virginia Speak Out About Traffic Safety, also known as YOVASO, running for more than twenty years. Her passion motivates the younger generations to keep the program going for years.
YOVASO isn't just a school club; it's a way for teens to help each other avoid tragic mistakes.
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'Having teens find their voice so that they can remind each other to drive safely, to be safe passengers, to make good decisions when behind the wheel,' shares Mary King, Program Manager for YOVASO.
Helping teens find confidence is a key factor in Mary King's success.
'We're all shy when we start YOVASO,' shares Kendall Lythgoe, Former YOVASO member. 'She forces you to get out of your comfort zone.'
'The thing that I love most about this program is seeing young people find their voice and become leaders,' says King.
She learned this lesson in leadership from her former supervisor, Steve Goodwin, who started YOVASO in 2001.
'My supervisor was very passionate about the subject, particularly not highway safety in general, but specifically teens and keeping them safe on the roadways,' says King.
She continued his legacy when Steve died and took it to new heights.
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'When this program first started, the state was losing about 178 teens a year in motor vehicle crashes,' shares King. 'We've now brought that number down to like the mid-70s.'
How?
'She took the initiative to apply for that grant every year,' shares Casey Taylor, Program Development Coordinator for YOVASO. 'She secures $70,000 plus yearly to fund this simulator program.'
(Courtesy: YOVASO)
The simulator program is a creative way Mary found for teenagers to experience firsthand the dangers of distracted and impaired driving. It is all within a controlled environment, with help from the Virginia State Police.
'Our goal is to reduce those crashes, injuries, and fatalities and save young lives,' says King.
While taking the initiative to keep YOVASO engaging for teens, those who work closely with Mary say her energy keeps everything—and everyone—going strong.
'She has a teenager's heart. She's just so much fun to be around all the time,' says Lythgoe. 'So it's not hard to connect with her no matter your age.'
'She is the most fun-loving person, but she is also very organized and motivated to change lives in the area,' shares Sydney Dills, Former YOVASO member.
I really enjoy working with young people. I enjoy the part of it, I feel like it keeps me young and I get a lot of, energy from working around young people.'
Mary King Manager for Yovaso
While maintaining a balance of work and play, her strong determination to advocate for safe teen driving and uplift those around her will always be her mission.
'I know in my heart that what we've done all these years has made a huge difference, saving lives and developing leaders for the future. Young people who will go on and do great things' says King.
King's goal is to see the YOVASO in every middle and high school in Virginia.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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