The group Women In Trucking has been formed to provide a platform that will allow women involved in the trucking industry to voice both accomplishments and struggles dealing with a predominantly male-dominated field. WIT plans to eventually hold its own convention and to also honor industry employers who have proven to be female-friendly in their hiring and retention practices.
“Trucking already has a very talented pool of female employees,” said Ellen Voie, WIT chairwoman and Schneider National's manager of recruiting and retention programs. “We want WIT to be a place where women can network and learn about career choices in trucking and to voice their concerns and opinions about the state of the industry.”
WIT has 11 board members: Deb Whistler, editor, Heavy Duty Trucking magazine; Debbie Sparks, director of marketing, American Trucking Associations (ATA); Elisabeth Barna, vice-president of strategic planning, ATA; Ellen Voie, retention marketing manager, Schneider National; Jayne Gunn, recruiting supervisor, Challenger Motor Freight; Karen Konecny, Rush Enterprises Inc; Lana Batts, managing partner, Transport Capitol Partners; Leigh Foxall, director of sales and marketing, Internet Truckstop; Lenora Hardee, manager of Human Factors and Ergonomics Group, Navistar International; Maggie Peterson, professional driver, Roadway; Marge Bailey, founder and chief executive officer, LadyTruckDrivers.com; Susan Fall, president, LaunchIt Public Relations; and Val Liese, president and CEO, Jack Jones Trucking. Bob Rothstein, general counsel for American Moving and Storage Association, serves as WIT's counsel.
Access www.womenintrucking.org to learn more.