Women's Impact on Trucking: Answering The Call

March is the month we celebrate Women's History, so here's a timeline of some major accomplishments and impactful inventions brought to you by women. These little known facts have shaped the trucking industry and paved the way for women in the industry today.

1918-1919:

• Answering The Call: The featured photo depicts female porters working to unload freight for a railway company in London around 1918. Also during this time, female truck drivers from the Teamsters Union drove medicine and doctors to rural areas during the Spanish flu epidemic. They received commendations for their service.

Photo: Public Domain, Creative Common License, click for source. 

1920s: 

• Paving The Way: Luella Bates was one of the first licensed female drivers, working for the Four-Wheel-Drive Auto company as a test driver and demonstrator. She was also one of the first female members of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, advocating for women's rights and safety regulations in the trucking industry. 

Photo: Public Domain, Four Wheel Drive Company, click here for source. 

1929: 

• Female CDL Holder & Trucking Company: Lillie Elizabeth McGee Drennan becomes one of the first women to receive a commercial driver's license (CDL) in the United States. Although she had hearing impairment, she overcame adversity and was granted her license by the regulatory committee after struggling against ‘sex bias’. She opened Drennan Truck Line, which operated for about twenty-four years, hauling oilfield equipment, explosives, soft drinks, and general freight throughout East Texas. Those twenty-four years were not easy. She has to deal with constant opposition from competitors, shippers, and others who stood against women in trucking. 

Photo: Public Domain Creative Common License, click for source.

1940s-1950s: 

• First Female UPS Driver: Mazie Lanham started the “Brown Betties'' delivery team, sparking the trend of female package delivery drivers. Companies began to hire women truck drivers while men were away fighting World War II.

• Road Map for GPS: Hedy Lamarr, alongside composer George Antheil, develops frequency-hopping spread spectrum technology. This technology was the framework for Wi-fi and wireless communication technology used in GPS navigation systems for trucks. 

1965: 

• Making Tires Stronger: Stephanie Kwolek invents Kevlar, a strong and lightweight synthetic fiber used in tires for trucks. Kwolek discovered Kevlar was five times stronger than steel by weight. Not only did it enhance the durability of tires, it also increased safety. For her discovery, Kwolek was awarded the DuPont company's Lavoisier Medal for outstanding technical achievement. Over her 40-year career at Dupont, Kwolek would file 28 patents.

Photo: Public Domain Creative Common License, click for source.

2007: 

• Women Advocacy in Trucking: Ellen Voie founds the Women in Trucking Association, dedicated to promoting the employment of women in the trucking industry and addressing gender disparities. Today, she serves on the executive team and is a well-known speaker for gender equality.
  

Photo: Granted by WIT, click for source.

Impact

Did you notice a theme? Times of war and conflict not only spark invention but movements. Together, these women throughout history have persevered and proven that women are a necessity in the industry. They've also worked tirelessly to make conditions safer and make opportunities equal for women. There is still a long way to go, but knowing where you've been is a great place to start.

The impact women have had on the industry has only grown stronger as more of the industry joins the cause for women's advocacy. 

Women in Trucking Today

Today, there are many groups dedicated to supporting women in the industry and many more female faces with a seat at the table across executive teams. Women in Trucking (WIT) is an industry resource for data and statistics covering diversity in trucking. According to WIT, their WIT Index is "the official industry barometer to benchmark and measure each year the percentage of women who make up critical roles in transportation."

Their data shows women make up 12.1% of professional drivers today. Their index holds even more details and statistics for you to review. The data is collected each year via a voluntary survey. 

As a member of the Women in Trucking Association, AMX is proud to celebrate the women of our company today and every day.

If you're looking to partner with an experienced transportation provider, let's talk. It all starts with a transparent conversation about your business.