Mary “Candy” Bass recently earned Driver of the Year honors from the Women In Trucking Association (WIT). Sponsored by Walmart, Bass becomes the fourth trucker to receive the annual award.
The announcement was recently made during the Salute to Women Behind the Wheel event, hosted by WIT at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky. The event honors female commercial drivers for their efforts and successes in the trucking industry.
To her credit, Bass has been a long-haul trucker for upwards of 50 years. She has logged an astonishing 6 million miles without an accident or injury. The 78-year-old CDL professional continues to haul freight across the U.S. and is actively engaged in mentoring women truckers.
“Candy Bass has given extensively to the trucking profession, not only during her time on the road and commitment to safe driving, but through mentorship and her desire to be a guiding star for women at all stages of their careers,” WIT president and CEO Jennifer Hedrick reportedly said.
The 2023 WIT Driver of the Year award follows the TA Petro Citizen Driver award she received in 2016 for community involvement and leadership. She was also named a Top Woman to Watch in Transportation by Redefining the Road this year, WIT’s official magazine.
Bass, a lifetime member of WIT and the Owner/Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), volunteers her time and energy to non-profits such as the St. Christopher Foundation, Hats for Heroes, Special Olympics, Trucker Buddy, and Charities for troops. The annual award was established to shine a spotlight on female truckers with exemplary safety records who are also making a difference in the industry and community.
“Our North Star is to create a culture where our associates feel like they belong. That means getting to know them for their own unique identities, styles, experiences, abilities, and perspectives to support them best,” Erin Bergman, Director of Talent Acquisition at Walmart, reportedly said. “That’s why Walmart is proud to sponsor the Women In Trucking ‘Driver Of The Year Award’ since it was created. It’s important to celebrate the industry’s top women behind the wheel like Mary ‘Candy’ Bass, who has had an incredible 50-year career and is paving the way to show future generations what they can accomplish when they work hard at what they love.”
Other finalists included Ally Cooper from Penske Logistics, and Ann McFarland from Leonard’s Express.
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