RWIT Board Member Kenyette Godhigh-Bell   Making the right decisions about which CDL School and starter company to choose will define your experience in the first critical months as you enter the trucking industry. We understand that many people have a sense of urgency to get started but you need to know that trucking has a lot of bad companies who train people and use students as a cheap labor source, so they often do not care about your long-term career aspirations. That is why it is important you become knowledgeable to start with to avoid the schemes. Here is your first tip: The wor ..read more

Sexual assault affects every industry and trucking is no exception. Our organization formed specifically to eliminate sexual violence in trucking. Bitzy Gomez and the Coalition of Women Truckers first raised this issue of the “sleeper test” in the late 1970’s and for the past fourteen years we at REAL Women in Trucking have worked tirelessly to drive this industry to corporate accountability. On April 27, 2022, the Department of Labor Women’s Bureau hosted a “Day of Action” – To Promote Safety and Prevent Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment in the Trucking Industry. This is a history making m ..read more

Keys to Success in 2022 for Carriers A re-blog from DAT Freight & Analytics Trucks are in huge demand, with historically tight capacity pushing truckload rates to record highs. But inflationary forces are hitting both sides of the ledger for motor carriers, with major increases in the cost of doing business. How can carriers navigate the currently tumultuous market while planning for upcoming corrections? Get your copy of 2022 Freight Focus: The Transportation Logistics Outlook to get the full report on how to navigate these volatile times. Control your costs Prices for fuel, in ..read more

REAL Women in Trucking welcomes Jess Graham to a full voting Board Seat. Jess has served as an alternate Board Member for two years to learn the ropes of the organization. We are excited to have her as a permanent voting Board Member. Director: Jess Graham  Jess began her career in transportation in 2007 as part owner of a sedan service in Detroit Michigan. Following the rise of ride sharing, she transitioned to big trucks in 2012, attending a training program at a mega carrier. When she started out, her daughter traveled with her, and she homeschooled on the truck. During her time as a c ..read more

In honor of our friend Pat Hockaday “JoJo” who passed away this month, I am reposting some of his writings on detention and driver wages that he worked tirelessly to research. Pat was incredibly detailed and wrote long articles. I will try to cut them down to be more readable but they are filled with information for future advocates who want to see change in this industry and this is why I feel they should be made public and easily accessible. You will be missed Pat. We will keep trying to fight for what is right. ~ R.I.P. Driver   Detention Time – Pat Hockaday  “In order to consider ..read more

On July 8th, RWIT President Desiree Wood was invited to participate in a roundtable discussion hosted by the US Department of Transportation on Truck Driver Retention and Supply Chain. Important topics were discussed among different groups with different perspectives on how to improve truck drivers’ work lives and the impact of this work on safety, the supply chain and workforce stability.  The virtual event was attended by US Department of Labor Secretary Walsh, Department of Transportation Secretary Buttigieg, and facilitated by FMCSA Administrator Meera Joshi. Guests in attendance incl ..read more

Hope you had a fantastic 4th of July! We left off last month talking about if you put enough time and distance between you and a possible attacker you will not be a victim. (You can read that post HERE). We discussed that the first and foremost skill you need to learn is understanding and being aware of your surroundings. By doing this, your mind is now set to prepare yourself physically against an attack. Remember Time + Distance = Safety. This month we will progress in learning the next phase in Situational Awareness. I want to teach you a simple way to remember to stay alert and aware. Bel ..read more

Congratulations to the 2021 Queen of the Road and Trucking Industry Trailblazer Award Winners! The 5th Annual Queen of the Road award ceremony will be held Saturday August 14, 2021, at 6:30 PM Pacific Time at Brio Tuscan Italian Grille in Las Vegas, Nevada. All are invited and encouraged to attend with RSVP We will be serving lite refreshments. The awards ceremony will take place during our annual lady truck driver multi-day get together. Please plan to JOIN US in Las Vegas, Nevada August 12 – 16, 2021 for networking and FUN! We will be kicking off the weekend with a Meet and Greet at 6pm Thur ..read more

REVEALED! The 2021 Queen of the Road Award Notable Nominees  Brita Nowak I am intrigued by her stories of growing up in East Germany  Imagine living in a communist country and living through history as the wall was torn down. She was born in East Germany, moved throughout her childhood, and calls East Berlin her home. She reached a point in her life that she sought warmer weather, packed 2 suitcases, and moved to Los Angeles. Almost instantly, she made appearances in TV and movie backgrounds. Shortly after her divorce, her nomadic tendency came calling and she decided to drive a truc ..read more

RWIT Board Member Kenyette Godhigh-Bell   Making the right decisions about which CDL School and starter company to choose will define your experience in the first critical months as you enter the trucking industry. We understand that many people have a sense of urgency to get started but you need to know that trucking has a lot of bad companies who train people and use students as a cheap labor source, so they often do not care about your long-term career aspirations. That is why it is important you become knowledgeable to start with to avoid the schemes. Here is your first tip: The wor ..read more