Every year, National Black History Month is an occasion to celebrate the contributions of so many black American patriots who have indelibly shaped our nation’s history.
Black Americans have been among the country’s most consequential leaders shaping the cultural and political destiny of the United States in profound ways. American heroes such as Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Thomas Sowell, Justic Clarence Thomas, and countless others represent what is best in America and her citizens.
The Legacy & Achievements of Talented Black Females in Trucking
The Wnbaz recognizes some of the first black innovators who played a significant role in early trucking years:
Lois Cooper (1931-2014) was the first female African American transportation engineer to be hired by what is now known as the California Department of Transportation.
Garrett Morgan (1877-1963) patented the three-position traffic signal. A practical man of humble beginnings, Morgan devoted his life to creating items that made the lives of common people safer and more convenient.
Frederick Mckinley Jones (1893-1961) was a black inventor and entrepreneur best known for his development of portable refrigeration equipment used to transport food, blood, and medicine during World War II. He patented the world’s first successful refrigerated transportation system.
Black Women Today: Continuing to Bring Skills and Professional Excellence
Meet Yuma Haidara from Manchester, New Hampshire. As a member of the WIT Image Team, which is comprised of individuals who are knowledgeable, passionate and positive subject matter experts, Haidara is an over-the-road commercial truck driver for Walmart Transportation. She has been on the road for several years. In that time, she has become a mentor and a Certified Driver.
Yuma Haidara, corporate driver for Walmart, serves on the WIT Image Team (Photo credit: Walmart)
Her lifestyle constantly fights the norm of a truckers lifestyle by falling in love with activities that keep her moving. She’s a Seabee Combat Veteran, who has done multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. A marathon runner, avid hiker, entrepreneur, traveler, and loves seeking new adventures.
She is passionate about helping others and speaking out about mental health in the Veteran community. She’s an active board member and participant in numerous Veteran non-profit organizations. Haidara truly believes in love and how it has shaped her into who she is today despite all life’s obstacles.
Wyzeena Heeny professional truck driver with Chattanooga-based Covenant Logistics, is an active member of the WIT Image Team, through which she “tells the story” of trucking in public-facing forums. (Credit: Bloomberg News)
Another member of the WIT Image Team is Wyzeena Heeny, a professional driver with more than 20 years of driving experience with Covenant Logistics out of Chattanooga, TN. She’s been a Road Team Captain for the Tennessee Trucking Association since 2013. She also is a team member of the Women of Covenant.
Five important keys that are motivating and inspiring to her as a professional driver are demonstrating the values of CARES: Communicate, Attitude, Respect, Excellence, and Staying Safe.
Trina Norman, a former UPS executive and member of the Women In Trucking Board of Directors. WIT named Norman the 2022 Influential Woman in Trucking.
Another impressive black woman in the Women In Trucking community is Trina Norman, who was named the 2022 Influential Woman in Trucking by WIT. Recently retired, Norman’s employment with UPS spanned three decades where she had proved to be a well-rounded leader and a global citizen. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, where she has served as an activity member for 24 years. She also has mentored and sponsored young college students to achieve their academic goals while attending college.
While at UPS, her mission was to recruit, empower, mentor, and encourage women to join the elite women behind the wheels at UPS. In 2019, Norman helped to lead the charge and was instrumental in charting the first Women in Operations business resource group in South Cal. In honor of her leadership and game-changing methodology, she was granted the game-changer award in March of 2022. In April of 2022, she was the recipient of the corporate trailblazer award for both Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Women In Operations. In July of 2022, she was the recipient of the Visionary Leader Award for excellence in undertaking extraordinary efforts to enhance the operational experience.
Daphne Jefferson, WIT’s 2017 Influential Woman in Trucking, who is the former Deputy Administrator of FMCSA.
Perhaps one of the most notable black woman in trucking government affairs in recent years is Daphne Jefferson, former Deputy Administrator, U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). WIT named Jefferson the 2017 Influential Woman in Trucking.
As Administrator of the FMCSA for nearly three years (from 2015 to 2016), Jefferson was the senior career official responsible for truck and bus safety on our nation’s roadways. “The safe and efficient movement of freight is essential to our nation’s economy, and I strive to make sure that the needs of all stakeholders are represented at the Department of Transportation,” said Jefferson at the time of being named the WIT Influential Woman in Trucking. “Every day our FMCSA employees in every state are focused on preventing crashes, fatalities, and injuries involving large trucks and buses.”
In 2016 Jefferson received the Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Service, the government’s top award for excellence in civil service.
“The Pew Research Center did a study about women and leadership,” continued Jefferson in 2017. “Even though women are as capable as men in positions of power, barriers continue to persist. As a public servant on the regulatory side of the trucking industry, I try every day to remove the barriers and dispel any myths about women in this industry and in leadership,” said Jefferson. “It is important that women such as myself and the other nominees for this distinguished award serve as a pipeline for future female leaders. When one of us succeeds, all of us succeed!”
In recognition of National Black History Month in February, the Wnbaz uses the occasion to celebrate the contributions of the many female black American patriots who continue to shape the trucking industry in America.
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Yuma Haidara, corporate driver for Walmart, serves on the WIT Image Team (Photo credit: Walmart)
Wyzeena Heeny professional truck driver with Chattanooga-based Covenant Logistics, is an active member of the WIT Image Team, through which she “tells the story” of trucking in public-facing forums. (Credit: Bloomberg News)
Trina Norman, a former UPS executive and member of the Women In Trucking Board of Directors. WIT named Norman the 2022 Influential Woman in Trucking.
Daphne Jefferson, WIT’s 2017 Influential Woman in Trucking, who is the former Deputy Administrator of FMCSA.
