Professional drivers and trucking companies give so much to the nation. Without them, the Wreaths Across America mission to remember, honor, and teach would be nearly impossible. Veterans’ wreaths move by planes, trains, ships, and livestock trailers, but trucks and their professional drivers transport the lion’s share of America's respect. In 2022, to be specific, 609 truckloads of wreaths were delivered, representing 439 different carriers.
In November and December, one of the busiest periods of the year for the transportation sector, the Wreaths Across America mission brings drivers together in an effort of unparalleled unity. With a positive, “can-do” work ethic, these professionals make it possible for Americans to honor millions of veterans laid to rest at home and overseas. In 2023, with over 3,700 participating locations, in addition to Arlington National Cemetery, transportation logistics are immense.
Many of these drivers are military veterans and say the truckload of fresh balsam-fir wreaths is the most precious cargo they transport in their careers. Wreaths Across America shares their stories and what motivates them to serve and succeed in the “Trucking Tributes” feature online and on Wreaths Across America Radio.
Wreaths Radio’s Susan Patten spoke with Ellen Voie, Founder of Women In Trucking Association, Inc. and its incoming President and CEO, Jennifer Hedrick, during the recent Truckload Carriers Association annual convention in Orlando, Florida. It was a fitting location for the interview. “I started Women In Trucking during Women’s History Month in March of 2007 at the TCA Convention,” Ellen explained her motivation. “I saw a need in the trucking industry for more gender diversity. The industry was not focused on attracting or retraining half the population-women. When I explained to people that trucks are designed for men, uniforms are designed for men, and your truck stop showers were designed for men and asked, " What are you doing to attract women, it became clear, and the trucking industry has been supportive. When we started sixteen years ago, we had no data to make it a level playing field, but now we know today women are safer drivers, better with customers, better with the equipment and paperwork, and they’re risk-averse. Who do you want behind the wheel of an 80-thousand-pound truck coming down the road?”
Ellen Voie was never interested in traditional domestic-related activities that many young women pursued when she was younger. “I was in shop class in high school,” she proudly professed. “I wanted to learn welding, woodworking, and auto mechanics. I was hired at a steel fabricating plant, but I was drafting and drawing. One day they came to me and said they wanted to move me into traffic and would send me to school for traffic and transportation management, and that’s how I got my start.”
Advocacy within the industry is paying off. “When we talk with truck stops about providing secure and well-lit areas, they get it. We’ve talked to companies about safety issues regarding where they’re sending their drivers. We’ve talked about how to better accommodate a woman’s shorter stature, so women don’t have to sit on pillows to see over the dash, and there are hydraulics to lift the hoods. The industry has said, ‘we see the value in what you do, how can we support you.’”
“We have a lot of veterans in the trucking industry, so anything we can do to honor the people who have served is positive,” Ellen shared. “One of our ambassadors KellyLynn, hauled wreaths a couple of years ago. We hope to do it again because we think having the Women In Trucking name attached to Wreaths Across America is important because we’re both positive-image programs.”
Ellen heard many stories from her father about his military service before he passed. “Dad served in the Navy on the hospital ship U.S.S. Consolation during the Korean War. One of my Dad’s wishes was to have his children attend one of their reunions.” Ellen gathered her siblings, and they attended a reunion with him in Virginia before he passed.
Jennifer Hedrick has officially taken over the responsibilities for the Women In Trucking Association as the new President and CEO. She said her father served in the military too. Her father was stationed stateside in the US Army (1967-1969) during the Vietnam war. “It’s always been a source of pride for him, and he encourages military service.”
Jennifer’s background includes years in the association and nonprofit sectors. Jennifer is an accredited executive by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). For five years, she led the National Industrial Transportation League (NIT League), focusing on issues across highway, rail and ocean freight transportation. In that role, she advocated on behalf of members to create efficiencies throughout the commercial freight transportation network.
Jennifer is focused on strategic planning and looks forward to continued advocacy in the trucking industry through the Women in Trucking Association.
You can hear more about the wonderful things Ellen and Jennifer are accomplishing through the Women In Trucking Scholarship Foundation on Trucking Tributes, listened to every Truckin’ Tuesday on Wreaths Across America Radio at 11:00 AM and again at 4:00 PM Eastern. Tune in!
