CallPass Celebrates Women's History Month & Their Role in The Trucking Industry
Every March marks Women’s History Month — an annual celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture, and society observed in the United States since 1987.
CallPass salutes the pioneering women who are paving the way for future generations of women in trucking by celebrating their milestones and looking forward to the prominent role they will play in the future of the trucking industry.
Women’s Milestones in the Trucking Industry
Women have driven trucks since the 1920s when they transported supplies during World War I. Many milestones have been achieved for women in trucking since the industry’s inception, with more women behind the wheel now than ever before.
Today, according to the Women in Trucking Association (WIT), women truckers represent approximately 10% of the industry’s drivers.
The following are some of the milestones achieved by women in trucking:
- 1988 – President Ronald Reagan signed an amendment to the Motor Carrier Act allowing women to be hired as full-time over-the-road drivers
- 1992 – To support the trucking industry, Karen Lee Frey accepted a position on the American Trucking Associations’ (ATA) board of directors—the first time in the organization’s history that a woman held this position.
- 1994 – Susan Webb became one of the first female owner-operators in the U.S., driving as an independent contractor. The following year, she and Terri Lynn Chapman became the first all-female truck driving team within a private fleet in the U.S.
- 2020 – The Women in Trucking Association, Inc. (WIT) commemorated its 25th anniversary. WIT was established in 1995 by Ellen Voie to support the transportation industry’s efforts to increase the percentage of female drivers, mechanics, and office personnel.
How the Trucking Industry is Evolving
Women are entering the trucking industry at a higher rate than ever before. According to the Women in Trucking Association (WIT) women make up approximately 10% percent of the total driving population in 2022—up 2% since 2019. But there’s still a long way to go.
So, what’s being done to bring more women into trucking?
Ellen Voie, CEO of the Women In Trucking Association (WIT), explained that WIT is working to attract more women to the industry by:
- Working with schools and trucking companies to develop mentorship programs for women interested in becoming drivers.
- Encouraging more drivers to become mentors to help women drivers navigate through their first years on the road.
- Educating drivers about what it takes to be successful as a professional driver, including tips on managing stress and fatigue.
- Providing resources for companies looking to increase their number of female drivers through networking opportunities.
To draw more women into the trucking industry, it’s essential to change the perception that truck driving is “just for men.” It means hiring more women in management positions and providing opportunities for career advancement. And it means ensuring there are family-friendly policies to help all truckers balance work and home life.
Women In Trucking Association Names 2024 Top Women to Watch in Transportation
Recnetly the Women In Trucking Association (WIT) announced its 2024 Top Women to Watch in Transportation. Chosen by the editorial team of Redefining the Road magazine, these 75 women have demonstrated significant career achievements and advocate for gender diversity in the industry. Brian Everett, group publisher and editorial director of Redefining the Road, highlighted their outstanding contributions. Click to read this full release HERE.
Clarissa Rankin: Inspiring Women to Change Their Lives by Joining the Trucking Industry
Clarissa Rankin quickly gained a sizeable following when she began documenting her life as a truck driver on her popular Tik Tok channel. She received further national attention in March 2022 when she appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show as part of a series highlighting extraordinary women shattering the glass ceiling in various industries.
A college graduate who couldn’t find a job in her field of study, Clarissa decided to give truck driving a try. She’s now been a professional truck driver for over five years and loves life on the road. She shared that her first year’s salary as a professional driver was about $50K, but she now earns a six-figure salary each year.
She hopes to inspire other women to go into industries they may have thought unavailable to them. Her story, charismatic personality, social media presence, and national profile seem to be having precisely that effect.
Fellow “lady trucker” Michelle called into The Kelly Clarkson Show from her own big rig during Clarissa’s episode. She shared that she’s transformed her life from living paycheck-to-paycheck in a hotel room to owning her own home after Clarissa’s videos inspired her to become a truck driver.
Emphasis on Truck Drivers’ Personal Safety and Security & How a Commercial Dashcam Is a Driving Force Behind It
According to USA Today, a survey commissioned by Women in Trucking found that when asked to rate how safe they felt on the job on a scale of one to ten, women truck drivers’ responses averaged 4.4. The main threats that concerned women truck drivers were harassment, overnight lodging, and personal safety. The organization said it has been urging truck stops to install better lighting, more surveillance and fencing.
With these factors considered, a significant source of encouragement toward women considering truck driving is the fostering of a safe work environment with available safety resources. With LANA Fleet, CallPass’s fleet tracking platform, drivers are protected on the road at all times using AI dash cameras, real-time video, GPS tracking, and more. The platform’s continual HD video provides insight within the vehicle and front exterior should something go awry. LANA Fleet provides truck drivers 24/7 security and protection, while fostering a safe work and driving environment.
Gender Diversity Means Better Business in the Trucking Industry
The trucking industry is facing a significant transformation in the coming years. As the baby boomer generation retires, major gaps are left in the labor market. Meanwhile, as an e-commerce driven economy increases demand for deliveries, there will be more freight to haul and a greater need for drivers who can haul it.
While women comprise only 10% of the trucking industry workforce, they’re the fastest-growing segment in the industry.
The American Trucking Association estimates a shortfall of more than 80,000 drivers in 2022. For carriers already struggling to hire qualified drivers, tapping into a new source of talent will be critical to their success.
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The trucking industry is a critical part of the American economy, which means it’s crucial for women to participate in this field. For businesses to flourish, CallPass understands that everyone’s contributions are needed, regardless of gender.
CallPass’ real-time high-definition video, artificial intelligence surveillance alerts, and GPS tracking devices work together to help your business mitigate risks, monitor and track your fleet, and protect your drivers as you develop the next generation of great truck drivers. If you have any questions about CallPass’ superior technologies, please don’t hesitate to contact us or request a demo using the button above!
