The late 1970s marked a pivotal era of transformation in the trucking industry — both in terms of regulation and gender dynamics. When Ellen Voie (who eventually founded the Women In Trucking Association) began working as a dispatcher during that time, the industry was on the cusp of major change. Government deregulation was reshaping how carriers operated, while shifting cultural attitudes were slowly opening doors for women in a profession long dominated by men.
To understand how transformative the late 1970s were, it’s important to look back. The federal government had regulated transportation since 1887, when President Grover Cleveland established the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) to prevent railroads from charging unfair or discriminatory shipping rates. Over the years, the ICC’s authority grew to include ferries, pipelines, and later, motor carriers such as trucks and buses.
By the 1930s, the ICC controlled nearly all interstate transportation. It dictated where trucking companies could operate, which routes they could serve, and how much they could charge. Carriers had to apply for “authority” to haul freight across state lines, and those with authority were bound by ICC-approved tariffs. Because all common carriers were required to charge the same rates, competition was limited not by price but by reliability and service quality.
“When I entered the industry, my role as a dispatcher in the steel fabricating business required navigating this system,” recalls Voie. “Even though rates were fixed, salespeople competed for my business by promising dependable service — or by resorting to unprofessional tactics, such as flirting or offering bribes. The regulatory environment made the business predictable but stagnant.”
The status quo changed dramatically when President Jimmy Carter signed the Motor Carrier Act of 1980. The law, initially proposed under Richard Nixon, sought to reduce transportation costs, cut government red tape, and encourage competition. Carter described it as removing “45 years of excessive and inflationary Government restrictions.”
For those of us in the industry, deregulation was both liberating and disorienting. Voie had just earned a degree in Traffic and Transportation Management, studying tariffs, freight audits, and the intricate process of applying for ICC authority. She even testified at ICC hearings. Overnight, much of that knowledge became outdated. The new law allowed carriers to set their own rates and operate more freely, opening the market to new entrants and increasing competition.
Before deregulation, each state also set its own maximum weight limits for trucks. For example, Illinois restricted loads to 73,280 pounds, while western states allowed up to 80,000 pounds. Those rules still mattered, but the business landscape shifted rapidly as pricing and routing became more flexible.
While deregulation gave carriers more freedom, new technologies would later introduce another kind of control — digital monitoring. In the past, truck drivers prized autonomy. Many kept multiple paper logbooks to stretch their hours, and before the introduction of the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) in 1986, drivers often held chauffeur’s licenses in multiple states, hiding violations from employers.
Today, that freedom is gone. Electronic logging devices (ELDs) automatically track driving hours using GPS and data from toll booths and weigh stations. Citations and traffic records are stored in centralized databases accessible nationwide. Trucks now come equipped with exterior and interior cameras, which initially caused resistance among drivers. While some saw them as invasions of privacy, the cameras often protect drivers by providing evidence in accidents or false claims.
In some ways, technology has replaced the human oversight once imposed by the ICC. Drivers still value independence, but their every move is now digitally traceable — a new kind of regulation in a deregulated world.
The 1970s also brought major social changes, particularly for women in the workforce. The women’s liberation movement had opened new opportunities, but trucking remained overwhelmingly male. Few women were drivers, and many of those who appeared in logbooks were actually passengers—wives or girlfriends of male truckers — whose names were used to skirt hour-of-service limits.
For the women who did drive, blending in was key. They avoided drawing attention to themselves to escape harassment, ridicule, or worse. Trucking culture was unapologetically male-centered. Trucks themselves were designed for men — seats too high, pedals too far, steering wheels enormous and unassisted by power steering. Female drivers had to improvise, using pillows to see over dashboards and blocks to reach the pedals.
Truck stops were equally unwelcoming. Showers were communal and exclusively male, forcing women to skip basic hygiene or rely on male colleagues to guard the door. Lounges were social hubs for men, and when a woman entered, conversations stopped cold. Even employees often refused to believe women were legitimate drivers, shooing them away from service counters or ignoring them entirely.
Uniforms offered another reminder of exclusion. Companies issued only men’s sizes, leaving women swimming in oversized clothing. It took years before female drivers had access to uniforms designed for their bodies.
Training also posed challenges. Most trainers were men, which created uncomfortable dynamics when they had to share cabs with female trainees for long hauls. There was risk of harassment on one side and suspicion or gossip on the other. Some male trainers involved their wives in the vetting process to ensure trust — a revealing sign of how new and awkward the situation was for everyone involved.
As a woman starting out in the trucking industry many years ago, Voie became accustomed to teasing and inappropriate remarks that would be unacceptable by today’s HR standards. The sexism of that era was normalized, she says, and women were expected to tolerate it. Some men were merely patronizing; others were openly hostile, resenting women’s presence in “their” field.
“Even decades later, as the Founder of the Women In Trucking Association, I still encounter men — usually older — who accuse me of taking jobs away from men,” recalls Voie. “I don’t argue with them. The truth is, women have every right to pursue careers in trucking, and the industry desperately needs them. With driver shortages continuing, there is ample opportunity for both men and women. The presence of more women has strengthened the industry by diversifying its workforce and perspectives.”
From the rigidly controlled world of the ICC to the deregulated, technology-driven landscape of today, the trucking industry has undergone sweeping transformation. The Motor Carrier Act of 1980 ushered in freedom and competition, while modern monitoring systems reintroduced oversight in digital form. Socially, the industry has evolved from exclusion to inclusion — though not without resistance.
What began as a man’s world has gradually opened to women who proved that skill, resilience, and professionalism — not gender — determine success on the road. Deregulation changed the rules of commerce, but the growing presence of women changed the culture of trucking itself.
From small-town Wisconsin roots to founding the Women In Trucking Association, Ellen’s journey is one of grit, resilience, and relentless advocacy for gender diversity in transportation. This book takes readers through her decades-long quest to empower women behind the wheel, shift industry perceptions, and fight for safety, ergonomics, and inclusion. One mile at a time.
Part memoir, part movement, this is a must-read for anyone interested in leadership, social change, and the power of one woman to rewrite the rules of the road.
Through deeply personal stories, industry insights, and behind-the-scenes moments, Ellen shares the challenges she faced as a woman navigating a male-dominated field — from being the only woman in the room to pushing back against outdated policies and advocating for practical change. Readers will discover how her passion turned into a global movement that redefined what was possible for women in transportation.
This book is a testament to what’s possible when one person dares to ask tough questions, create new opportunities, and lead with purpose. Whether you’re a professional in logistics, a champion of gender equality, or simply someone seeking inspiration to spark change in your own world, From Dispatcher to Disruptor delivers a compelling roadmap for making impact that lasts.
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