A rising number of women are earning their CDL and embarking on good-paying careers as truck drivers. One Illinois-based coalition is on a mission to accelerate female trucking success.
“We want to show women that they can be drivers, or work in consulting, operations, dispatch, or whatever it is,” Linda Blisset, a certified director of safety for the Illinois Trucking Association, reportedly said. “We want to get the word out that the industry needs women, and we want to welcome them in.”
The Women’s Coalition of the Illinois Trucking Association supports female commercial vehicle operators in the state and reportedly publishes a newsletter. Their mandate involves promoting options and advising newly-mined women truckers and those considering the occupation.
In 2008, less than 5 percent of truckers were women due to lack of opportunity and stigmas that driving an 18-wheeler was a male-only profession. In early 2021, some pegged female participation at approximately 7.9 percent. Heading into 2022, estimates run as high as 10 percent, and more than a quarter-million women now drive truck for a living. Much of those gains can be attributed to non-profit organizations that preceded the Illinois coalition, such as Women in Trucking that formed in 2007
“Back in the middle of the twentieth century, people saw trucking as a ‘man’s job’ because of how physically demanding it was,” CEO of Women in Trucking Ellen Voie reportedly said. “Technological improvements like power steering, power brakes, the way you drop your trailer and so much more make it, so you don’t have to be this big, burly man to do the job anymore. And, in fact, women are proving they have specific talents that — in a lot of ways — make them especially suited for the job.”
Members of the Women’s Coalition of Illinois Trucking Association reportedly met through conferences and classes. Facing similar challenges and adversity in a male-dominated industry, they naturally bonded and began to organically build a community of strong women. Part of their purpose is to pay forward the opportunities they secured and empower more women to shatter the illusion of a glass ceiling.
“We want to make trucking more appealing to women. We want women to see that they can be part of the trucking industry — everything from a technician to a driver to a safety professional and to the owner of a company. We want to remind women and inspire them that they can grow their careers,” Dana Achartz, director of safety and compliance at Newman Carriers, reportedly said. “That’s the best part about trucking; there is so much room for advancement. Whether it’s on the road or in the office, you can start and advance so quickly because there are so many opportunities out there.”
Members of the Coalition have also voiced concerns about issues their male counterparts have advocated for as well. Chief among them is the lack of safe overnight parking infrastructure. Industry conditions are among the primary reasons truckers leave the sector, many during their first 90 days on the job.
Sources: fleetowner.com, voanews.com
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