PLOVER, Wis.—With one of its goals being to encourage the employment of women in the trucking industry, the Women In Trucking Association Inc. (WIT) recently launched what it dubbed the “Image Team.”
In addition to boosting the ranks of women in trucking, nonprofit WIT's stated mission is to promote women's accomplishments “and minimize obstacles faced by women in the trucking industry.”
The organization said the purpose of the Image Team “is to represent these goals while bringing awareness of the need for more female drivers and the challenges they face working in a male dominated environment.”
Toward its goals, the WIT Image Team will participate in ride-along events for legislators, regulators and industry leaders “to provide a deeper understanding of the obstacles” truckers—especially female drivers—face on the road. The team also will speak to the media and other drivers at public events and industry trade shows.
To qualify for the Image Team, an applicant must have had a valid commercial license, be a member of WIT for at least one year and submitted an application that required an essay of 250 words to explain why a candidate should be chosen for the team, WIT said. Questions regarding their safety records, previous awards or recognitions, volunteer service and community involvement also were included in the selection process.
Twenty-five applications were submitted to the organization, then were narrowed to 10 finalists, WIT said. A selection committee interviewed the finalists via individual conference calls, and five women were chosen for the 2015 Image Team: Stephanie Klang, Con-way Truckload; Allyson Hay, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. Transportation; Wyzeena Heeny, Covenant Transport; Carol Nixon, Wal-Mart Transportation; and Ingrid Brown, Rollin' B L.L.C.
“The WIT board is extremely excited about the creation of the Women in Trucking Image Team,” said Mark Rousseau, director of logistics and transportation for Frito-Lay North America, WIT board member and Image Team judge.
“These drivers will help the WIT association advance our mission. In addition, the WIT Image Team will assist the industry in improving trucking's image by changing perceptions about truck drivers and their jobs. These women are true pioneers for not just WIT, but for the trucking industry. We congratulate them on their selection to this very impactful role.”
The Image Team was introduced earlier this year at the sixth annual “Salute to Women Behind the Wheel” event in Louisville, Ky., hosted by the WIT to honor female commercial drivers. About 400 people attended.
The association's membership is not limited to women, as 16 percent of WIT “are men who support the mission.” The organization said it is supported by its members and “the generosity of Gold Level Partners” that include: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems; Daimler Trucks NA; GE Capital Transportation Finance; Great Dane Trailers; J.B. Hunt Transport; U.S. Xpress; and Walmart.
More information about WIT is available on its website at www.womenintrucking.org or by calling 888-464-9482.