It was the summer of 2023 when conversations about launching a women’s council at ATA began to gain momentum. Member companies had been asking for a dedicated space for women for several years, and during ATA’s 2024 Mid-Year Management Session, those discussions became more focused. A small group of female leaders came together to determine where this new council, Women In Motion (WIM), should lend its voice first.
Those conversations resulted in five strategic priorities:
• Highlighting the need for safe truck parking for drivers
• Highlighting the need for bathroom access for drivers
• Highlighting the importance of getting more women into the industry
• Developing a survey so WIM could accurately assess the current ecosystem and track progress
• Establishing a Call on Washington where women could advocate for the industry using their unique lens
Today, I stand in awe of two years of progress. That progress is the result of countless trailblazers across the industry, both women and men, who helped lift women and put WIM on the map.
One of the most impactful areas of focus has been the need for safe truck parking. For every 11 truck drivers on the road, there is only one truck parking space available. As a result, 98% of truck drivers regularly experience problems locating safe and legal parking options. This issue is particularly salient for women drivers, who consistently rank access to safe parking as their top obstacle, over fuel prices, the economy, and other common industry issues. (....)