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Just as the federal government is taking steps to diversify the trucking industry’s driving corps, a major advocacy group has undertaken an effort of its own to recruit women to become drivers and showcase the achievements of women already driving.
The American Trucking Associations Friday announced it has launched Women in Motion, a new program “designed to elevate and highlight the contributions of women to the trucking industry, encourage more women to consider a career in trucking, and address important issues within the policy arena that specifically impact women,” according to a statement from the ATA.
“The trucking industry relies on women – whether in the boardroom, as a technician, or behind the wheel – and we believe that by highlighting the many contributions the women already in trucking make, we can demonstrate what a rewarding and lucrative career path it can be for millions of others,” said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear. “The name Women in Motion is an apt description of our industry, and I’m pleased that ATA is recognizing these individuals who are critical to our industry, and looking for solutions to make their jobs even more gratifying and more secure.”
The creation of Women In Motion comes as the federal government is taking steps to attract more women to trucking careers, and as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is creating a new advisory board of women. The membership of that board is expected to be announced later this summer.
According to a statement announcing the creation of the ATA program:
The Women in Motion program will focus on the core issues women face on the road and in the industry. Working with coalition partners, policymakers, and business leaders, Women in Motion will work to provide a more secure work environment for women in the industry, including advocating for issues like safer truck parking, as well as greater diversity in trucking. The program will also provide support and development opportunities for women in the industry, as well as promoting trucking as a career path to women across the country.
Women in Motion has an advisory board that includes primarily industry executives and two drivers. Members of the advisory board include::
- Jenny Abernathy, Vice President of Enterprise Capacity Development, CRST
- Cari Baylor, President, Baylor Trucking
- Amy Boerger, Vice President and General Manager North America, Cummins, Inc.
- Mandy Graham, Chief Operating Officer, Great West Casualty Company
- Wendy Hamilton, Senior Manager, Operations and Executive Support, Pilot Company
- Rhonda Hartman, Professional Truck Driver, Old Dominion Freight Line.
- Kendra Hems, President, Trucking Association of New York
- Tamara Jalving, Vice President, Safety and Talent Acquisition, Yellow
- Jaime Maus, Vice President Safety & Compliance, Werner Enterprises
- Megan Melichar, Vice President, Finance, FedEx Ground
- Alix Miller, President & CEO, Florida Trucking Association
- Brenda Neville, President & CEO, Iowa Motor Truck Association
- Tina Peterson, Professional Truck Driver, Red Pine Transport, Inc.
- Shellie Shellabarger, Senior Vice President, Field Operations, Stericycle
- Sarah Statlander, Vice President, Human Capital and Talent Acquisition, Yellow
- Marilyn Surber, Transportation Advisor, TenStreet
- Angela Tillery, Managing Director, Learning & Development, FedEx Freight
- Ellen Voie, Executive Director, Women In Trucking
”“As a woman in this industry, I know firsthand that while trucking can be a tough job – it is a rewarding and important one,” said Cari Baylor, President, Baylor Trucking. “I’m glad to see ATA launching this new initiative to celebrate the contributions of the many women in our industry and advocate for issues such as safe truck parking that our industry deserves.”
The Women In Motion website includes access to a speakers bureau, research, and “tools women can use to promote and educate others about opportunities within the industry,” according to the ATA statement.
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