What it's like to be a woman in the trucking industry
Since 1995, U.S. presidents have issued a series of proclamations designating March as Women’s History Month. This month is dedicated to the contributions women have made to the U.S., as well as celebrating specific achievements they have made throughout various fields.
At Storey, this month means so much more. Not only do we want to celebrate women as a whole, but we’d also like to celebrate the women who have contributed so much to our company and have set a new standard for the trucking industry.
For this month’s blog, we spoke to Virginia V. and Julia R. to learn more about their unique experiences being women in the industry.
Question: Tell me a little bit about yourself and how you got into the trucking industry.
Julia: I started in the medical industry and made the switch to trucking on a dare. I was having a bad day, and someone asked me, “Well, if you’re not going to work here, what will you do?”
At that moment a truck drove by the window, and I said, “I’ll go drive a truck.” They laughed and said, “I bet you won’t.” I took that as a challenge and made the switch.
Virginia: I got my start in ‘88, before a CDL was even required to drive a truck. I started out in a team with my husband.
Q: How long have you been with Storey Trucking?
J: In April, it will be four years. Overall, I’ve been in the industry for around 20 years.
V: In July, it will be four years. I’ve been in the industry for around 30 years.
Q: What do you wish you knew before getting into the industry?
J: I wish I understood just how much time goes into the field on a day-to-day basis. I knew it wasn’t an 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. gig, which isn’t what I was looking for, but I really had no idea it would be a 24/7 thing for three weeks each month. So, I wish I knew about the demand time-wise. Also, how regulated everything is.
V: I wish I knew to save my money! When I got my first paycheck, I thought I hit the jackpot. The more you make, the more you spend. I also wish I knew that I wouldn’t be home as much as I was used to before starting my career. You have an idea that it’s a demanding field, but being in it really changes your perspective.
Q: What has your experience been like working in a male-dominated industry? Have you experienced any difficulties as a woman specifically?
J: I really can’t say it’s been all that difficult. Sure, I’ve had a lot of people give me that “Are you sure you can do that?” kind of energy, but I’ve always found men to be extremely helpful towards me. When a man notices that there is something I physically cannot do, he’ll usually help me without me even asking.
V: When I first got into the industry, a lot of the teams were husband and wife or boyfriend and girlfriend, and it didn’t really feel like a team dynamic. The woman on the team felt more like a secretary on the road than part of the team, you know? She kept track of the log and other things but didn’t really drive.
A lot of stereotypes surrounded women, from what I saw and experienced. At a restaurant, when I’d go to the drivers’ area of the room, I was often ignored if my husband wasn’t around. When he’d come inside or come back from the bathroom, that’s when we’d get greeted and handed a menu. I thought, “Wow, there are a lot of double standards going on here.” It was a man’s world for sure.
Q: Have you seen any change in the industry since you started your career? More specifically, have you seen more women enter the field since you’ve started your journey?
J: I think the biggest change I’ve witnessed has been through technology. We used to have paper logs, now we do everything electronically. A lot of trucks are also automatic rather than manual now.
As for the women aspect, I have noticed more women in the industry than when I first started. A lot of women see the industry as more desirable now, especially since it can offer a lifestyle change and it’s a great way to make good money.
V: For me, one of the most noticeable changes was trailers going from 48 feet to 53 feet. I remember we called them “super trailers” when that happened. Of course, regulations have been updated or changed throughout the years too. There’s a lot more concern around safety than before.
There are a lot more women now than when I started driving. These women are younger and eager to just be a part of something that provides them with a better lifestyle.
Q: What advice do you have for women looking to get into the industry?
J: Go to a great school and work for a company with a great training program. Also, be open to advice. A lot of people, regardless of their gender, think that just because they have the education and license, they know everything. I am constantly learning, even after all this time.
Know what you’re not capable of too and be able to communicate that to people. Asking for help is so important in any field.
V: Remember that you can do anything you set your mind to and know that you’re going to have to work hard to prove yourself. A man at the entry-level does not have to work as hard to prove himself as a woman does, so you have to go the extra mile. If you don’t, not only are you letting yourself down, but you’re also letting other women down by not showing them that we’re just as capable. This lifestyle isn’t for everyone, but anyone can do it.
Also, what they teach you in school is not as impactful as what you’ll learn in real life. School is important, you learn all the technical stuff there, but it does not compare to the learning experience you’ll have when you’re out on the road by yourself.
Being in a male dominated field can be tough, but the women that are part of our family have made leaps and bounds for themselves and have shown other women that they belong just as much as the men do.
We are incredibly thankful for their hard work, dedication and the ways in which they have helped pave the way for new generations of women in trucking.
If you’d like to learn more about the impact women have had, and continue to have, on the industry please visit WomenInTrucking.org.
Happy Women’s History Month to all the incredible women out there!