Driver Lifestyles

Women in Trucking - Expediters Welcomed

Isn't it about time that women in the transportation industry had an organization specifically geared for them?  One that would address women's issues and concerns?  An organization that would assist women in making their trucking career decisions? 

Well, isn't it about time?

Ellen Voie thinks so.  The noted trucking and relationships author, Schneider National Retention Marketing Manager and past Executive Director of Trucker Buddy  had an idea for just such a group and 2007 witnessed the founding of the first organization focused on the women of the trucking industry - Women in Trucking (WIT).  

Voie, Women in Trucking's Chairwoman says, "I've had the concept for some time of an organization for the women in trucking.  When I told people about it, many saw value  in the idea, so I put together a board of directors that includes some pretty powerful women in the industry."

"Some of the first individuals I approached with the concept were Leigh Foxall of Internet Truckstop, Debbie Sparks of Truckload Carriers Association, Elisabeth Barna of American Trucking Association, Maggie Peterson, a professional driver with Roadway and trucking company owner Val Liese from Jack Jones Trucking, to name a few.  These women and others now comprise our Board of Directors."

"I brought Char Pingel along with me from Trucker Buddy and I couldn't live without her!  She keeps me on track and ensures that things run smoothly."     
   
She continues, "We incorporated as a 501(c)(6), a non-profit organization and we had our first board meeting on March 12, 2007 at the Truckload Carriers Association Conference in Las Vegas.  And now, less than a year after our founding, we have over 500 members!"

"Our goal is threefold:  To encourage more women to consider trucking as a career, to remove obstacles that prohibit women from entering the industry and to celebrate women's success in the industry; to focus on the women who have been the pioneers, who have overcome the challenges and succeeded.  We want to celebrate the fact that women can make it in this industry."

Voie says that Women in Trucking exhibits at a number of truck shows, "to get the word out.  The WIT booth is 'manned' by various board members, Char Pingel and myself.  We've done over fifteen shows so far this year.  We also hold receptions and invite people and companies from trucking to explain to them what our organization is all about."

Voie states that the typical response from women who discover Women in Trucking is "Where have you been?  I've been waiting for you!"

"Most of the women tell us that it's great to finally have the networking opportunities and to be able to talk to other women in the business," she says.

"Once in a great while, we'll have a woman say to us, 'I've been driving a truck for twenty years and I made it without you.  What are you going to do for me?'"

"We'll tell her that she's just the kind of person we need in the organization.  We value the wisdom and experience she has accrued.  We need her more than she needs us!"

"What can we do for her?  Like any membership organization, the networking opportunities provided by our organization are a significant part of our appeal, we produce a newsletter, we invite members to our receptions, we have an online bulletin board where they can share ideas and we're working on discounts on trucking-related products and services," says the organization's chairwoman.

"I believe that in the future, our organization can be a formidable force with a lot of numbers behind us so that we can make some legislative changes in this industry.  For example, I've met with U.S. Rep. John Mica (R-FL) to explore ways in which we can encourage women to consider a career in trucking."

She adds, "I recently met with representatives from AARP.  They are looking into ways to help women enter the trucking industry, possibly through scholarships for training and grants to assist women in starting their own business."

Voie says that one important topic of discussion to the members of WIT both in meetings and online is Safety:  "Women want to know what trucking companies have female trainers, they want to know how to deal with harassment on the CB and how to be safe in a truckstop.  We also receive a lot of calls from women interested in choosing a truck driving school or carrier."

"We won't send them to a specific school or carrier but help them to determine if they want to go to a publicly-funded, carrier-funded or privately-funded school.  There are different ways to get a CDL nowadays and we want to steer them in the right direction, depending on what their needs are."

"We also tell them about expedited trucking and that it's a great career option.  A woman can "ease" into the trucking industry by operating a cargo van in expediting instead of a Class 8 vehicle. It will give her an idea of what the trucking lifestyle is like and what it's like to be on the road."

"Something I should emphasize about the Women in Trucking organization: It's not for women, it's about women.  We have over one hundred men who have become members so far." 

"We want to present our own convention, but we want to do it a little differently than the typical convention.  We want to offer subjects such as health and fitness, finances, truck selection and safety; subjects that have appeal to both men and women but the focus would be on encouraging and supporting women."

"We would like to present awards to women-friendly carriers and manufacturers along with women-friendly truckstops."

Voie says that she has been pleasantly surprised with the rapid growth of Women in Trucking because she had not realized the need for the organization was as
great as it is. 

"But I do now," she says laughingly.

"I think by bringing more women into this industry, we can elevate the image of trucking.  When the general public sees that there are moms and grandmas working as truckers, it will present a new face of the industry."

For more information about the organization, visit Women in Trucking.org.