How to change an industry to make it more female friendly

A male dominated industry is one where the vast majority of workers are men.  For women, the wages are typically higher than careers that are overwhelmingly female, but there are many obstacles that need to be addressed for women to increase their presence.

In 2007, I founded the Women In Trucking Association to encourage the employment of women in transportation careers and to address those obstacles that kept women from entering or staying in the industry, as well as making it a goal to highlight members and celebrate their successes.

At the time, female truck drivers were rare, and even today, they make up a small percentage of the workforce.  However, due to an increasing need for professional drivers, trucking companies have realized that they should no longer ignore half the population as potential drivers. 

At first, it was hard to convince carrier executives that women were capable of doing the job, as there was, and still is, a physical component that required some strength and stamina.  However, these days, those jobs are less common and might include strapping and tarping a flatbed, but  (typically)  no longer are drivers loading or unloading their freight on the dock.

The equipment was historically designed for the larger frames of men, so many women had to sit on pillows to see over the dash or stretch to reach the pedals, not to mention turning the steering wheel without power steering and opening the hood to conduct a pre-trip inspection.

Truck stops were designed for men, as the driver’s lounges were not all that welcome for women and the showers were locker room style with drivers sharing the space.  When a woman needed to shower, she had to recruit someone to stand at the entrance and keep men away until she was finished. 

Loading docks were also less accommodating for women, as the only available restroom was typically for men or just a unisex facility.  Restroom parity wasn’t considered because it just wasn’t common for a solo female to back into the dock.

For the companies that required their drivers to wear uniforms, women were expected to fit into a man’s shirt and even pants that never fit properly. Safety equipment such as steel toed shoes and high visibility gear was also designed with men in mind.

Many women were encouraged to get their commercial driver’s license so they could accompany their husbands or boyfriends on the road. A Women In Trucking study found that over eighty percent of women entered the industry at the urging of the man in their life.

The women who drove semi-trucks years ago have seen tremendous changes that have made their lived easier and their careers less challenging.

As an association, Women In Trucking is supported by its members, and the goal is to ensure they have a voice.  This has led to many positive changes in the supply chain to address the obstacles women have faced in the past.

Truck stops have made the greatest improvements and now showers are all private, and most are determined to keep them clean and ready for any driver after a long day.  Amenities have evolved to include women’s toiletries and much of the food choices have healthier options. 

The trucks themselves have changed considerably, as manufacturers add safety technology while ensuring that cab itself is more ergonomically accommodating to smaller frames and shorter arms and legs.  Hydraulic hoods and power steering, lane departure warnings, automatic transmissions and better creature comfort in the cab is the focus today.

Trucking companies have changed their view of women as well.  Years ago, there was little data regarding safety and if there was a gender factor for drivers.  The American Transportation Research institute found that male commercial drivers are much more likely to be involved in a crash than female drivers.  This is good news for everyone, as the female driver population grows, the roads will be safer because women are less likely to engage in risky behavior.

Women are also vocal about having uniforms that are made for women!  It’s no secret that women’s bodies are built differently than men’s, so why should a woman try to fit into a shirt that does not accommodate her build?

One challenge that has not been remedied is the rest room situation.  The pandemic made things worse, as shippers and receivers denied drivers access to their facilities.  Today, legislation has been proposed to allow truck drivers to use a rest room if one is available.  It’s unfortunate that the government needs to step in to encourage a company to provide access for a driver to use their facilities.

One of the biggest changes in the supply chain is that there is gender related data that helps us accommodate and promote women.  For example, female drivers are more interested in working for a company that looks out for their safety, while men are more focused on the pay.  Not that women don’t care about the wages, but it’s not the reason they leave a company as often as they quit because of the company practices about safety.

As more women enter the trucking industry, their voices become louder and have a stronger effect.  That’s the goal of an association that represents the interests of women in the transportation industry.   We not only want to encourage women to have more career choices, but to ensure that those in traditionally male roles can thrive and succeed.

It’s not easy to influence an entire industry, but the Women In Trucking Association has made great strides in providing a more female friendly environment for all women working in supply chain careers. 

To learn more, visit www.womenintrucking.org