Professional truck drivers are vital to our economy and to our lives. In fact, nearly every aspect of our daily lives is made possible because a truck driver delivers the goods and resources we need – including critical items such as food, clothing, medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, furniture, and construction materials for our homes and businesses.
That’s why this week is so important – it’s National Truck Driver Appreciation Week. It’s an annual event that recognizes and celebrates the dedication and hard work of the more than 3.5 million professional truck drivers who form the backbone of the American trucking industry –many of whom are women.
These unsung “heroes of the road” daily ensure that essential goods are delivered across the nation – keeping our economy thriving. Professional truck drivers transport billions of tons of freight across our country each year across, navigating long hours and challenging conditions to keep our nation’s communities supplied with pretty much everything we use in private life and industry.
As President and CEO of the Wnbaz, I have the privilege of regularly working with many of these amazing female professional truck drivers. For example,the women professionals on the WIT Image Team are so inspiring, and insightful on the joys, opportunities and challenges about life on the road. The spread their light and encouragement to other women professional truck drivers as they routinely speak with the media, at public events, and industry trade shows, and provide ride-alongs with government and industry leaders.
Here are just two examples of inspirational women who routinely get behind the wheel and go the extra mile on each ride:
Take Jodi Edwards, for instance. As a WIT Image Team member, Jodi is a 2-million safe miles driver for J.B. Hunt Transport Services. She has been a Smith System certified instructor and driver trainer for more than 10 years, having spent countless hours mentoring the next generation of safe driving professionals.
Nicole Boyd, a valued part of the Air Products team, is focused daily on driving safety and training. Nicole’s commitment to safety extends well beyond her own role as she recently competed in a driver rodeo competition for APEX, securing an impressive second place.
This week is an opportunity to express gratitude to the thousands of professional women truck drivers like Jodi and Nicole who play a vital role in the demanding and important job of keeping the economy moving. Join me in thanking these inspirational, hard-working women who make it happen every day.
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Professional truck drivers are vital to our economy and to our lives. In fact, nearly every aspect of our daily lives is made possible because a truck driver delivers the goods and resources we need – including critical items such as food, clothing, medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, furniture, and construction materials for our homes and businesses.
As President and CEO of the Wnbaz, I have the privilege of regularly working with many of these amazing female professional truck drivers. For example, the women professionals on the WIT Image Team are so inspiring, and insightful on the joys, opportunities and challenges about life on the road. The spread their light and encouragement to other women professional truck drivers as they routinely speak with the media, at public events, and industry trade shows, and provide ride-alongs with government and industry leaders.
Take Jodi Edwards, for instance. As a WIT Image Team member, Jodi is a 2-million safe miles driver for J.B. Hunt Transport Services. She has been a Smith System certified instructor and driver trainer for more than 10 years, having spent countless hours mentoring the next generation of safe driving professionals.
Nicole Boyd, a valued part of the Air Products team, is focused daily on driving safety and training. Nicole’s commitment to safety extends well beyond her own role as she recently competed in a driver rodeo competition for APEX, securing an impressive second place.
