Femme Fuel & Freight: Haulin Her Way
"Redefining Industry Standards: Your Guide to Thriving in the Trucking and Heavy Equipment Industry"
Welcome to Iron Ladies – your ultimate resource hub for women truck drivers and heavy equipment operators! We are here to support, empower, and celebrate the fierce women who make their mark in these traditionally male-dominated industries. Whether you’re a seasoned driver or just starting your journey, Iron Ladies is your go-to destination for valuable insights, training resources, industry news, and inspiring stories from fellow trailblazers. Join our community of Iron Ladies as we break barriers, shatter stereotypes, and pave the way for a more inclusive and diverse future in trucking and heavy equipment operations. Let’s drive with strength, determination, and grace – because here at Iron Ladies, we know that steel is not just for the machines, but also for the incredible women driving them.
Websites and Organization
Women in Trucking Association
Empower yourself and connect with other women in the trucking industry through this association. Access valuable resources, networking opportunities, and support to help you excel in your career. Women Driving Progress!
National Association of Women in Construction
Women in Trucking Association Online Community
Welcome to the Women in Trucking Association Online Community! We support and empower women in trucking. Join us to break barriers, promote diversity, and celebrate achievements. Access member benefits, forums, and industry insights. Embrace diversity and connect with us!
Real Women in Trucking
Real Women in Trucking is a digital oasis where the voices of women resound in the traditionally male-dominated trucking industry. It's a haven for stories that inspire, empower, and advocate for the women who navigate the highways with strength and determination. As the engines roar, these stories amplify the experiences and triumphs of women drivers, fostering a community that drives change and celebrates diversity on the open road.
Websites and Organization
Professional Women of Construction
Professional Women of Construction
Professional Women of Construction
Immerse yourself in the world of women in construction through our platform. We offer invaluable resources and networking opportunities designed to empower women in the construction sector. Our mission is to bridge gaps, provide insights, and create a strong community within the industry. Want to learn more?
She Drives Trucks
Professional Women of Construction
Professional Women of Construction
Unleash your potential and find inspiration from the stories of women who drive trucks. Access resources, industry news, and connect with others who share your passion. “Women Driving Progress: Fueling Change”
Rolling Strong
Rolling Strong
Rolling Strong
Rolling Strong offers powerful, customizable, and scalable wellness programs committed to creating a healthy culture for individuals, families and in the workplace.
Team Run Smart
Rolling Strong
Rolling Strong
There are many different avenues and career paths that a professional truck driver can pursue. Our Pros can tell you about each of the different stages and what it takes to succeed out on the road! “Succeed today”
Being Female On the Road and What to Expect
Trucking can be quite the boys club, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a viable career for women interested in the industry. While the percentage of women truck drivers is a low 7.89% of the 3.5 million truck drivers in the United States, according to the Women In Trucking Association, the percentage is slowly growing.
Like men, women truck drivers are attracted to the career largely due to the flexibility it offers. Having the ability to work alone and make your own decisions is appealing to independent and entrepreneurial spirited individuals, regardless of age or gender. However, the long hours and time away from home is often discouraging for women who juggle the responsibilities of being wife, mom, and caregiver to elderly parents.
While female truck drivers often face certain difficulties that their male counterparts are exempt from, there is no injustice when it comes to pay. Unlike many professions where salaries aren’t equal between men and women, truck drivers are paid impartially based on hours, mileage, and/or loads.
Read on to learn about some of the challenges that female truckers encounter, as well as suggestions on the best ways to deal with them before, during, or after they’ve happened.
Maintain Safety by Being Prepared
A safety survey conducted by Women in Trucking, revealed that women rated truck stop safety as a 4.4 out of 10. Fortunately, there is a push for these businesses to enhance parking lot safety with improved lighting, fencing, and security monitoring.
The key is being vigilant and attentive to your surroundings at all times. Avoid questionable areas, and walk away from confrontation whenever possible. By taking time to plan road trips in advance, you will stay safer and healthier on future road trips and have a more positive experience.
- Research pit stops in advance. The more you familiarize yourself with amenities such as bathrooms, rest stops, showers and food options along the route, the more confident you’ll be. As often as possible, choose places that are well-lit. Check out online reviews, or if any coworkers are familiar with the route, ask for suggestions.
- Keep your doors locked. Get in the practice of locking your truck doors, whether you’re inside or out. A predator can slip into the cab in a matter of seconds, so take precautionary measures.
- Prepare your own food. Making advanced preparations that allow you to prepare your own food may seem like a chore, but it will enable you to eat healthier, save money, avoid fast food, and not succumb to limited choices on the road. There are a variety of options available for equipping your sleeper cab with energy efficient kitchen appliances including an oven, microwave, mini fridge, and so on.
There’s no denying that female truck drivers have unique challenges on the road, but the incidences are not constant. Many women drivers never encounter such transgressions and others have very infrequent confrontations for several years.
Female Drivers Are Leading The Way
For the most part truck drivers, regardless of gender or age, practice camaraderie and watch out for one another. For example, solo truck driver Tami Clark, shared with USA Today, that she “knows to count on a continuous blast of her truck’s horn to summon other drivers to her aid.”
Every career has pros and cons, and trucking is no exception. The demand for truck drivers is bigger than ever, and the industry is making strides to become more attractive to all genders, especially females. Interestingly, many of the younger female truck drivers view it as an opportunity to play an important role in improving the working environment.
Undoubtedly, it is a profession that takes dedication and hard work, but trucking companies are constantly making improvements in employee compensation, benefit packages, and safety. The business offers independence, and in comparison to a college degree, the training required to become a truck driver is faster and much more cost efficient. Being a contributing member to the back bone industry of America’s economy, offers advantages that far outweigh the negative aspects and it can be a very rewarding and lucrative career.