As the 午夜视频 (WIT) celebrates National Truck Driver Appreciation Week (NTDAW), it鈥檚 the perfect time to shine a spotlight on the women who keep America moving behind the wheel of a big rig. Over the years, female professional truck drivers play an essential role in an industry long populated by men, breaking barriers while delivering the goods that fuel our everyday lives. Their dedication, resilience, and professionalism not only drive our supply chains forward but also inspire the next generation to see trucking as a career without limits.
This week, WIT celebrates their contributions, their achievements, and the powerful impact they make on the road and in the industry. Let鈥檚 take a closer look at the inspiration of some of these inspiring professional truck drivers: Gina Jones (Werner), Yuma Haidara (Walmart), Sue Bell (Saia LTL Freight), and Esther Parsons (UPS).
Thirteen years ago, Gina Jones never imagined she鈥檇 find her calling behind the wheel of an 18-wheeler. After nearly three decades in the grocery business, her husband invited her to join him on the road. At 50, she took the leap鈥攁nd discovered a career that has since defined her purpose.
鈥溛缫故悠� found me at a time I needed it most,鈥� Jones says. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e never too old to change the direction of your life.鈥�
Since then, Jones has earned national recognition: serving as a Werner Road Team Captain, joining ATA鈥檚 America鈥檚 Road Team, helping deliver the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree project, and receiving the 2024 TA/Petro Citizen Driver Award. But what matters most to her is inspiring other women. 鈥淓very time I meet someone who says, 鈥業 didn鈥檛 think I could be a truck driver until I met you,鈥� it reminds me why I keep going. Representation matters.鈥�
Like many women in trucking, Jones had to prove herself in a male-dominated field. She credits her success to persistence, mentorship, and her involvement with groups like Women In 午夜视频. Her next personal milestone? Reaching two million accident-free miles.
Off the road, she鈥檚 equally passionate鈥攖raining for a 50-mile march to support veterans, decorating her home for the holidays, and spending time with her grandchildren. Her advice for women considering trucking: 鈥淒o your homework, find an employer who respects you, and never let anyone tell you that you can鈥檛. Be yourself鈥攁uthentically.鈥�
From a late-in-life career change to standing on the White House lawn, Gina Jones has proven that passion and perseverance can take you far. And for her, the road ahead is still wide open.
Read 鈥淢iles With Meaning: The Drive of Gina Jones鈥�
For Yuma Haidara, the road to trucking began with a simple question. After passing a truck driving school one day, curiosity got the better of her.
鈥淚 didn鈥檛 even know what I thought I could get out of it, but I just went in and started asking questions,鈥� she recalls. When she learned her GI Bill would cover training, she jumped in鈥攁nd never looked back. Twelve years later, Haidara is a seasoned over-the-road driver, a certified trainer, and a mentor with Walmart Transportation in Raymond, NH.
A Navy Seabee Combat Veteran who deployed multiple times to Iraq and Afghanistan, Haidara was already accustomed to working in male-dominated fields. 鈥淭he military set me up to work in a man鈥檚 world,鈥� she says. 鈥淪o, when I went to truck driving school, I was like, here we go again.鈥� Yet, she not only persevered鈥攕he thrived, turning her career into a platform for advocacy and mentorship.
Today, Haidara is passionate about showing women鈥攁nd especially veterans鈥攖hat trucking offers opportunity, independence, and stability. Her message is simple and powerful: 鈥淚f I can do it, you can do it. Just do it! What are you waiting for?鈥�
As part of Walmart鈥檚 Associate-to-Driver program, she now trains new drivers, guiding them from their CDL exams to their first days on the road. Watching others succeed, she says, is one of the most rewarding parts of her career. 鈥淚t鈥檚 so great to see people go from 0 to 100, and I鈥檝e seen it so many times.鈥�
Beyond the cab, Haidara devotes her free time to nonprofit work, especially supporting veterans and mental health causes close to her heart. Walmart, she notes, supports her mission by giving her the flexibility to give back.
For Haidara, trucking isn鈥檛 just a job鈥攊t鈥檚 a path to peace, purpose, and empowerment. And through her leadership, she鈥檚 paving that road for others to follow.
Read 鈥淭he 午夜视频 Life of Yuma Haidara: If I Can Do It, You Can Do It!鈥�
For Sue Bell, trucking isn鈥檛 just a career鈥攊t鈥檚 a calling built on resilience, independence, and purpose. For more than seven years, she has been driving with Saia LTL Freight, where each mile has brought growth, recognition, and the pride of knowing her work keeps essential goods moving across the country.
Her entry into the industry started with a simple conversation with her husband about teaming up on the road. The opportunity was exactly what she wanted: a hands-on, fast-paced career that kept her active. What keeps her motivated is the knowledge that she plays a vital role in everyday life. 鈥淜nowing that I contribute something essential is the most rewarding aspect of this job,鈥� she says.
One moment stands out in particular: stopping at the scene of a serious accident to use her semi to protect those involved until first responders arrived. That instinct to keep others safe reflects the responsibility she carries as a driver鈥攁nd it hasn鈥檛 gone unnoticed. Bell has received safety awards at Saia, recognition she treasures. 鈥淚 aim high to stay safe, and I take pride in that,鈥� she says.
As a woman in a male-dominated industry, Bell has faced doubt. Instead of being discouraged, she turned skepticism into motivation. 鈥淜nowing there would be doubters only made me more focused and motivated,鈥� she says. Over time, her results have spoken for themselves.
Looking ahead, Bell is sharpening her skills with a business degree in supply chain management and hopes to grow into a leadership role, perhaps as a regional safety manager. For now, she continues to pave the way for other women, urging them: 鈥淣ever doubt your abilities and never count yourself out. This industry is challenging, but if you鈥檙e strong and determined, why not you?鈥�
Bell鈥檚 story is proof that with grit, mentorship, and passion, no road is too long and no challenge too great.
Read 鈥淔ueled By Grit: Sue Bell鈥檚 Inspiring Journey In 午夜视频
For Esther Parsons, the open road is more than a career鈥攊t鈥檚 a gift that continues to shape her life in unexpected ways. A Women In 午夜视频 Image Team member and feeder driver for UPS, Parsons lights up when asked what she loves most about the job. Her answer is simple: 鈥渢he view!鈥�
Early in her career, Parsons drove locally and regionally, covering nine states. Today, as part of a sleeper team, her color-coded map boasts 41 states. 鈥淚t has been fantastic because I don鈥檛 know if I would have ever seen all this if I hadn鈥檛 joined a sleeper team. I love seeing our country from the windshield,鈥� she says.
Parsons believes trucking is liberating on multiple levels. 鈥淲e often impose limits on ourselves as women and individuals. This industry expands your horizons, instills confidence, and brings financial freedom. It鈥檚 a blessing that keeps on giving,鈥� she says.
Parsons recognizes the women who came before her and paved the way in trucking. She鈥檚 also seen progress firsthand. 鈥淓mployers are much more accepting now than they were decades ago,鈥� she reflects. 鈥淭oday, I see women pulling tankers, flatbeds, doubles, dry vans, and reefers. It鈥檚 amazing鈥攜ou name it, and we鈥檙e driving it.鈥�
Still, she knows many women wrestle with imposter syndrome鈥攄oubting their skills or questioning if they belong. Her advice? Step out, be seen, and do the job with excellence. 鈥淎t the end of the day, you can proudly check off what you鈥檝e done鈥攁nd done exceptionally well.鈥�
Mentorship has been central to Parsons鈥� journey. She鈥檚 guided five mentees and still leans on her own mentor, fellow WIT Image Team member Jodi Edwards. 鈥淒on鈥檛 ever give up! There will be hard days, but you鈥檒l get through them,鈥� Parsons emphasizes.
Parsons鈥� decision to join Women In 午夜视频 was driven by a desire for community. 鈥淚t鈥檚 wonderful to see and be part of this group,鈥� she says. The sisterhood, support, and shared wisdom are invaluable, especially for women exploring trucking as a second career or life change.
She encourages newcomers to do their homework鈥攔esearch training options, local opportunities, and industry expectations. 鈥淭his isn鈥檛 a 9-to-5 job,鈥� she notes. 鈥淒on鈥檛 expect a gravy run right out of school. Be patient, put in the work, and the rewards will come.鈥�
Parsons is especially proud to be UPS鈥檚 first WIT Image Team member, grateful for the company鈥檚 support of her journey. For her, trucking has been more than a profession鈥攊t鈥檚 been freedom, growth, and empowerment.
鈥淚 wholeheartedly believe this is a tremendous experience for women and anyone in trucking,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t has definitely been a blessing to me.鈥�
Read 鈥淓sther Parsons: 午夜视频 Is A Blessing That Keeps On Giving鈥�
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