Every year, Black History Month is an occasion to celebrate the contributions of so many Black Americans who have indelibly shaped our nation’s history.
Black Americans have been among the country’s most consequential leaders shaping the cultural and political destiny of the United States in profound ways. American heroes such as Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Thomas Sowell, Justice Clarence Thomas, and countless others represent what is best in America and her citizens.
The Women In Trucking Association recognizes some of the first Black innovators who played a significant role in early trucking years:
Meet Yuma Haidara from Manchester, New Hampshire. As a member of the WIT Image Team, which is comprised of individuals who are knowledgeable, passionate and positive subject matter experts, Haidara is an over-the-road commercial truck driver for Walmart Transportation. She has been on the road for several years. In that time, she has become a mentor and a Certified Driver.
Her actions constantly fight the norm of a truckers' lifestyle by falling in love with activities that keep her moving. She's a Seabee Combat Veteran, who has done multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. A marathon runner, avid hiker, entrepreneur, traveler, and loves seeking new adventures.
She is passionate about helping others and speaking about mental health in the Veteran community. She's an active board member and participant in numerous Veteran non-profit organizations. Haidara truly believes in love and how it has shaped her into who she is today despite all life's obstacles.
Another member of the WIT Image Team is Wyzeena Heeny, a professional driver with more than 20 years of driving experience with Covenant Logistics out of Chattanooga, TN. She's been a Road Team Captain for the Tennessee Trucking Association since 2013. She also is a team member of the Women of Covenant.
Five important keys that are motivating and inspiring to her as a professional driver are demonstrating the values of CARES: Communicate, Attitude, Respect, Excellence, and Staying Safe.
Another impressive Black woman in the Women In Trucking community is Trina Norman, who was named the 2022 Influential Woman in Trucking by WIT. Recently retired, Norman’s employment with UPS spanned three decades where she had proved to be a well-rounded leader and a global citizen. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, where she has served as an activity member for 24 years. She also has mentored and sponsored young college students to achieve their academic goals while attending college.
While at UPS, her mission was to recruit, empower, mentor, and encourage women to join the elite women behind the wheels at UPS. In 2019, Norman helped to lead the charge and was instrumental in charting the first Women in Operations business resource group in Southern California. In honor of her leadership and game-changing methodology, she was granted the game-changer award in March of 2022. In April of 2022, she was the recipient of the corporate trailblazer award for both Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Women In Operations. In July of 2022, she was the recipient of the Visionary Leader Award for excellence in undertaking extraordinary efforts to enhance the operational experience.
Perhaps one of the most notable Black women in trucking government affairs in recent years is Daphne Jefferson, former Deputy Administrator, U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). WIT named Jefferson the 2017 Influential Woman in Trucking.
As Administrator of the FMCSA for nearly three years (from 2015 to 2016), Jefferson was the senior career official responsible for truck and bus safety on our nation’s roadways. “The safe and efficient movement of freight is essential to our nation’s economy, and I strive to make sure that the needs of all stakeholders are represented at the Department of Transportation,” said Jefferson at the time of being named the WIT Influential Woman in Trucking. “Every day our FMCSA employees in every state are focused on preventing crashes, fatalities, and injuries involving large trucks and buses.”
In 2016 Jefferson received the Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Service, the government’s top award for excellence in civil service.
“The Pew Research Center did a study about women and leadership,” continued Jefferson in 2017. “Even though women are as capable as men in positions of power, barriers continue to persist. As a public servant on the regulatory side of the trucking industry, I try every day to remove the barriers and dispel any myths about women in this industry and in leadership,” said Jefferson. “It is important that women such as myself and the other nominees for this distinguished award serve as a pipeline for future female leaders. When one of us succeeds, all of us succeed!”
In recognition of Black History Month in February, the Women In Trucking Association uses the occasion to celebrate the contributions of the many female Black American patriots who continue to shape the trucking industry in America.
As a member of the Women In Trucking Association, stay on top of emerging trends and business issues impacting transportation and logistics; learn the importance of gender diversity in the workplace and the need for more women drivers; and see best practices in encouraging the employment of women in the trucking industry. Join today! Learn More