Women in Trucking: By Women, For Women

It is never easy to be a woman in a male-dominated industry, particularly one that is also dangerous and isolated, like trucking. Over at the Roadmaster's Driving School Blog, Ellen Voie is raising awareness for Women in Trucking (WIT), an organization formed in 2007 by women drivers seeking to support and aid one another.

As minorities in the industry, women still face more safety concerns and logistics issues than male truckers. Women in Trucking provides self-defense presentations, secures association discounts with partners, and lobbies for loading docks and truck stops to provide more women-friendly amenities like bathrooms and personal hygiene products. Most importantly, WIT confronts the ingrained sexist attitudes that seek to deter women from entering the industry at all. To celebrate women in leadership roles, WIT also holds an annual "Influential Women in Trucking" event, sponsored by Navistar, and an annual "Salute to Women Behind the Wheel" event each March. They also feature guest bloggers monthly to share the personal stories of drivers across the country. Currently, 16% of WIT's membership is comprised of men who want to show their support for female drivers, so whether you're a man or a woman, consider joining Women in Trucking to demonstrate your commitment to leveling the playing field and welcoming new drivers with professional courtesy and respect. Check them out online at womenintrucking.org.