Q1. What does Empowering Women in Industry mean to you?
Empowering women means (to me) to give them the tools to succeed. My wish is to educate, stimulate and motivate women to take risks, reach for new goals and find a level of accomplishment that will propel them forward.
Q2. How did you get started working in your field?
I work in the transportation industry. I had a mother who encouraged and supported me, so I took shop class (in the 70s) when most girls took home economics. This allowed me to get a job in the drafting department of a steel fabricating plant, where I was later promoted to the role o assistant traffic manager, and ultimately, traffic manager. I was sent to school for traffic and transportation management and was able to run the entire traffic department for three plants, handle all of the incoming raw materials and outgoing finished product, by the age of 20.
Q3. What do you love most about your job? / What are you most proud of?
The job I am in now, is the most rewarding position I've ever held in my life. I run the Women In Trucking Association, a nonprofit organization with over 4,000 members world wide (men and women) who support our mission to bring more women into transportation careers. From driver to owner to engineer to safety director, we have one goal; to increase the presence of women in trucking.
Q4. What advice would you give someone considering this line of work?
Be prepared, take risks and be ready. In male dominated environments, men will respect and accept you once you have proven that you can handle the job. Don't be a victim, it won't get you anywhere. Believe in yourself and follow through and have a thick skin to deflect any negative comments
Q5. Anything else you would like to add?
The 2019 Women In Trucking Accelerate! Conference & Expo takes place Sep. 30- Oct. 2, 2019 in Dallas, Texas! Women In Trucking Association’s mission is to encourage the employment of women in the trucking industry, promote their accomplishments, and minimize obstacles faced by women working in the trucking industry. www.womenintrucking.org