The transportation sector has always been a male-dominated workforce. Female pilots, truck drivers, conductors, and ship captains are still in the minority. The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) was formed to specifically address the lack of diversity.
Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) recognized the need to address the inequity at the federal level and recently re-introduced a bill, Promoting Women in Trucking Workforce Act. The bill directs the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrator to establish an advisory board to address ways to increase the ranks of women in trucking. Moran was successful in passing similar legislation in the aviation industry.
The bill has received bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate and was created in collaboration with Ellen Voie, President and CEO of WIT, whose mission is to encourage the employment of women in the trucking industry, address obstacles and celebrate the success of its members.
“This legislation not only aligns with WIT’s goals, but it has been an important and urgent objective for years, and today we are celebrating this success,” said Voie. “We also want to thank the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association and the American Trucking Associations for their support in advancing our mission through this advisory committee,” Voie added.
WIT was formed in 2007 and has over 5,500 members, including major industry giants Amazon, Arrow Truck Sales, Daimler Trucks, Expediter Services, FedEx Freight, Great Dane, J.B. Hunt Transport, Michelin, PACCAR, Penske, Ryder System, Walmart, and Waste Management.
“This bill will help us create a more female-friendly environment in supply chain careers so we can not only attract and retain, but promote women in trucking,” said Voie. “We have spent more than a decade working on these issues with little government support, so we are happy to elevate our efforts to the federal level,” Voie added.
The nonprofit association has seen the growth of women as drivers, technicians, managers, and CEOs since its inception, and credits the group’s achievements. The list of accomplishments is extensive but includes advancements in truck cab design and ergonomics, truck stop safety and amenities, a Diversity and Inclusion Index, Driver Ambassador program, and Image Teams comprised of female drivers in both the US and Canada.
WIT is the only international organization that represents women working in the trucking industry and has been recognized for its efforts by the White House as a “Transportation Innovator Champion of Change,” under President Obama.
Voie looks forward to serving on the advisory committee.
The bill can be read here: (https://www.congress.gov/
