I got into journalism because I wanted to tell the stories of others. Like many in the trucking industry, I fell into it. Also, like many in the trucking industry, I stay because of the people. I am inspired by the women and men of the industry who, despite the ever-evolving landscape of regulations and new technology, continue to push the envelope, continue to outperform, and, especially within the last year, show their resiliency.
I tell people often that while I’ve only covered the industry since 2018, I have experienced rapid advancements and changes. One of those changes is quite personal.
When I began as a trucking journalist fresh out of college, there were times when I was the only woman in the room. Every industry event felt like a boy’s night out or a family reunion where only the uncles were invited. While I enjoyed my job (because who wouldn’t love spending time with all their crazy uncles?), something always seemed to be missing. And then suddenly, that something wasn’t missing anymore.
See also: E-book: Women in Transportation 2024
I remember how I felt when I attended an industry event and, for the first time, the majority of the journalists in attendance were women—that was as recent as fall 2023. Someone else pointed it out, and I thought to myself, “Way to go, ladies. We’re doing it!” Then I got to work. We all did. Of course, we all love being women, and we’re proud of our accomplishments, but at the end of the day, we’re just individuals doing our jobs.
Seeing a woman in the industry isn’t something that I would consider “special” anymore. But that’s because of the women who made their way into the industry before me. These women experienced discrimination, and some had to work twice as hard as a man just to prove that they’re capable. To those women, I extend my gratitude and appreciation. We’ve highlighted some of them this year in our 2024 Women in Transportation issue. We’ve also highlighted women who have found being a woman in this tough industry is less about their gender and more about their work ethic, their skills, and their leadership qualities.
Many of us believe there is still room for improvement of equal treatment in the workforce. While many of us have had to have those tough conversations with our bosses and HR about our unique experience as women, working in a male-dominated field doesn’t mean dwelling on feeling uncomfortable, and it isn’t about the assumption that others might see us as less capable. It’s that we want other women to find the same satisfaction—be it success, belonging, or achievements.
That’s what the trucking industry has given the nine women we highlighted this year. While many of them stumbled into the industry, they remained—trucking along and making the industry better, not just with their presence but with their intelligence, their determination, and their abilities.
Seeing women in transportation shouldn’t surprise us anymore, but the accomplishments these women have made make them worth celebrating.
See also: New research shares strategies to foster women truck drivers' success
Over the next two weeks, we will publish web versions of these nine profiles and link them below, starting with a director of safety and recruiting who's always "happy to help."
Christine Estes, director of safety and recruiting, Usher Transport
"A diverse representation in leadership and across the industry is a benefit to the industry ... We all become better together by having good, meaningful conversations and overcoming preconceived notions." - Estes
Se'ara Hart, body and collision technician, Rush Enterprises
"I don't think most people care [about my gender]. I think a lot of people actually think it's cool, especially the guys." — Hart
Gina Jones, truck driver, Werner Enterprises
"It's a great feeling when you can bring women in to the trucking industry ... and what an accomplishment just to go forward and say, 'I'm going to do this in a man's world.'" — Jones
Tawni Marrs, lead data scientist, Trimble
"I was willing and eager to give transportation a shot, and since then, it's been consuming my world, consuming my mind—in a good way!" — Marrs
Soledad Muñoz, VP of operations, Muñoz Trucking
"Going out there to these big conventions, when you look around, it's a lot of men, but I was raised to be strong by my father." — Muñoz
Ashley Sowell, co-founder and CEO, Integrity Fleet Services
"Don't let people's limitations or views of how it should be or what you should do stop you. You get one life. Do what makes you happy." — Sowell
Marcia Taylor, CEO, Bennett Family of Companies
"At that point, I was left with the decision to try to take the company and see what I could do or move on to something else ... I thought, 'You know, I've got to keep going on.'" — Taylor
Kyle Wiesen, recruiter, Grand Island Express
"Many drivers say to us, 'I just can't believe that everything you told me on the phone was true.' And if I can get even one person each week and orientation to say that, that's my victory." — Wiesen
Ann Wilson, executive VP of government affairs, MEMA
"Oftentimes, we need to turn around and say, 'Oh, what can I do to help other women in my office or in other organizations also succeed?' because that success is just going to buoy your own." — Wilson
