First, the author suggests that married women are more responsible than unmarried women and they are “less likely to be flirtatious.” The assumption that responsibility and marriage are complementary is doubtful, as women who are single are the ones who don’t have the security of a second income. Ellen Voie CAE President/CEO Women In Trucking, Inc
Many of the tips concern a woman’s physical needs. “Give every girl an adequate number of rest periods during the day,” the author writes. The extra breaks allow her to wash her hands more often and apply fresh lipstick and tidy her hair so she can have more confidence and be more efficient. By allowing women to rotate to different jobs during the day, they will be happier and less nervous than staying in one position all the time.
How to hire women An excerpt from a 1943 transportation magazine has been recently circulated through out the industry. It has been verified as a true reprint by Snopes, which claims that the author is L.H. Sanders, who wrote the article for Mass Transportation Magazine’s July issue. The intent was to assist (male) managers in choosing the right women to work in jobs formerly held by men who va- Physical exams that focus on “fecated their positions for military male conditions” is suggested in service during WWII. order to avoid lawsuits, and to uncover any mental or physical Although the author seems to be weaknesses. “Husky” girls are patronizing women, he (or she) better employees because they was probably not intending to are more efficient and even temportray females as unmotivated, pered than their thinner counterincapable and fragile as the text parts. Keeping women happy by appears. However, the eleven ensuring that their uniforms fit “helpful tips” show us how far we well is a point made by Sanders, have come in proving our ability who writes, “this point can’t be to work alongside men in many stressed too much.” occupations.
One tip for employers suggested that “older women” are inclined to be “cantankerous and fussy,” and they must be reminded to be “friendly and courteous” because of their difficulty in dealing with the public. The author suggests that only women who have worked outside the home previously would be acceptable, since they often have a hard time “adapting themselves.” The definition of “old” isn’t included, but today this tip could be the basis for a discrimination lawsuit! In addition to concerns about age and physical limitations, women apparently had mental and emotional issues that should be addressed! One tip was to never criticize women, as they are more sensitive than men and it would adversely affect her efficiency. Also, strong language should be avoided or it may cause female workers to “grow to dislike a place of business.” Probably the most demeaning tips implied that women were not capable of managing themselves. The author states that the male supervisors must ensure that female workers understand the importance of time and that, “a minute or two lost here and there makes serious inroads on schedules.” Sanders writes that women need to have their
schedule filled and outlined in advance so that they don’t “bother the management for instructions every few minutes.” This is due to the fact that women do not have the same initiative as men. Although the article was written for “transit companies” and appeared in a transportation magazine, the tips appear to be for women who were working in a factory setting. Apparently it wasn’t even an option to put women behind the wheel or under the hood! Since the assumption was that women needed close supervision and lots of time for rest and to make themselves presentable, operating a big rig or working on an engine would be out of the question. This article was written 65 years ago and it shows how far women have advanced in the workplace. However, we still have reasons to further progress women in the transportation industry. Despite a more even ratio of women in the workforce as a whole, there are twenty male drivers for every woman behind the wheel. We no longer have to prove that we can manage ourselves, or that we can forgo breaks to apply our lipstick, but we do need to find our footing in this industry. Women are capable, available
and needed in trucking. We’ve come a long way, but Women In Trucking Association’s goal is to advance us even further in the next 65 years! How can YOU support Women In Trucking? Most of us recognize the need to support women in the trucking industry. We want to encourage more women to consider a career as a driver, mechanic, safety director, dispatcher, broker or more. How can you, as an individual, make the trucking industry more “female friendly?” First, if you are not already a member of the Women In Trucking (WIT) Association, please consider joining now (https://www.womenintrucking.or g/join/join-1.cfm). The larger our organization, the more influence we can have in both industry and legislative areas. The non-profit organization was formed to represent all of us who want to see more women involved in all aspects of trucking. Membership is not limited to women only, as WIT is not just FOR women, it is ABOUT women! If you are already a member, then your help in encouraging others to join as individual or corporate members is needed. Call our of-
fice (888-464-9482) or download the membership application and give it to your co-workers, friends and anyone who might wish to support our mission. Become familiar with the goals of WIT so you can confidently discuss them with someone who may be interested in becoming a member. There are other ways to increase your involvement in WIT. If you have an area of expertise or interest, we invite you to visit our message forum and help respond to questions from current or potential members. You will find that there are many women (and men) who are considering a career in trucking, but they have many concerns about the industry or the lifestyle. You can help educate and inform and encourage them with your involvement in this forum. There is also a great deal of wisdom from our current members who are willing to share their knowledge and offer advice to others. If you have an interest in speaking on behalf of Women In Trucking, we can assist you by providing a power point presentation that you can give to local organizations. There are many work support and educational groups that might be interested in bringing more women into the industry. Check your local newspa-
per listing of public meetings and offer to give a short talk. You might have the opportunity to share your involvement with your employer if they are not already a corporate member of WIT. Ask for your human resource department or diversity coordinator to join you and the recruiting staff for a presentation or question and answer session.
group. Some of our goals involve helping to influence legislation that might affect the success of our members. Although we represent all areas of the trucking industry, some of our concerns reach from owner-operators to large corporations. If you have any legislative concerns, please let us know and the board of directors will determine whether there is a need for involvement If you would be willing to volun- and how we can influence teer at an event such as a career change. fair or trade show, we would provide the materials and support for Finally, if you wish to become a the event. We would also publish member of the board of directors, the details in our newsletter an on please let us know. Currently, our website to encourage atten- nominations are not being condance and promote the show. sidered for immediate appointContact Char in our office for ment, but you can send your more information and to offer letter of interest to ellen@womyour assistance in this area. enintrucking.org and I will pass it along to the nominating commitMany of our members have back- tee for future consideration. The grounds or education in areas time to become involved is now, that can help our members be- and your visibility to the board will come more successful. If you be an important part of their decan help by providing articles for termination for a board position. the website or our newsletter on ways to encourage, support or Every member (and potential educate our readers, we wel- member) of Women In Trucking come your input. You could be a is important to us. You can help great resource by sharing your us further our mission by becomknowledge with others so that ing more involved. Help us inthey can learn from your expert- crease the number of women and ise. to encourage, support and promote the accomplishments of our As a non-profit organization, we members. are a dues based, member driven You can make a difference!