The WIT and its mission are very dear to my heart, that is a given. Upon thinking about the WIT and things that I thought it should be doing and how, I sent Ellen an email a week or so ago asking some fairly tough questions and unfortunately, and unintentionally, it came across as critical or at least more critical than I intended. For that I am sorry.

However, Ellen's gracious reply got me thinking a little more in depth about the WIT and Ellen's and our roles in it.

Ellen has many years in the transportation industry in one way or another though not as a driver. Her involvement has been more on a corporate or office level along with being an owner operator with her ex and working in other male dominated fields. This experience on her part provides the WIT with a sophisticated, savvey lady at the wheel of the organization that can meet one on one with corporations and carriers and who knows how to relate to them to effect change.

As I have said many times, changes are effected through using a tap hammer, not a sledge hammer. Ellen weilds the tap hammer very well. Her way though may not be clear to those of us who are more radical activists and those of us who want to change things overnight.

Any time an organization or business works with advertisers or sponsors, one walks a very fine line in how they approach things or they lose the funding to do the very work they are set up for. This is something that most drivers especially do not understand....along with the costs that running an organization like the WIT inccurs. Ellen understands this aspect of organizational management also, very well.

Our roles as members of the WIT are to represent women in a positive light within the trucking industry and to assist Ellen by working with her to identify areas we think could be strengthened within the organization and in identifying problems within the industry itself. Also, we should be encouraging others to join.

I also would strongly suggest that if any of you have any questions about the direction the WIT is going, how it is run or anything else concerning Ellen or Char or the WIT, email them or call them and ask them. You will get an honest answer. Do not do as some do and bash and flame them and the WIT all over the net...that is counterproductive to all women in the trucking industry along with the WIT.

The trucking industry did not develop the problems real or perceived for women overnight, the changes to correct any problems will not be solved overnight either. It will take people like you and me who are activists and advocates along with Ellen who can work with the highest placed executives to make the changes happen.

Sandy

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The only stupid question is the one you do not ask...

Sandy, how can I thank you?

You corrected a misconception from a webmaster and because of your efforts, he has taken the time to set the record straight.

http://www.truckdriversnews.com/women-in-trucking-interview-with-ellen-voie/

Thank you for your diligence and for your true support. It energizes me to think that we have such wonderful members who represent us!

Ellen

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Ellen Voie
President/CEO
Member 10002-I
Women In Trucking, Inc.

You owe me no thanks Ellen, I am a member here and I believe in speaking the truth, I do not deal in sentionalism (sic). I do not belong to the WIT or OOIDA lightly nor without thought nor to further any agendas of my own other than supporting the organizations I believe strongly in as I do this one and to benefit all drivers and the industry that employs me.

As you found out, I am just as quick to take issue if I do not agree with things, but I take issue in private and get honest answers in return. One does not tear an organization or industry down to the ground in hopes it rebuilds, one works within the organization or industry to make the changes one thinks necessary...sometimes those changes might already be in the works, sometimes they are not feasible, and sometimes it takes time....but one will never find out if one deals in lies and innuendos or if one never asks the people in charge.

Nice article at truckdrivernews. Takes a big man to admit he was wrong and mis-informed.

Sandy

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The only stupid question is the one you do not ask...