by Brian Everett, on Dec 11, 2025 1:33:00 PM
For four decades, Ingrid Brown has logged millions of safe miles as a professional truck driver. Along the way, she’s witnessed first-hand how the trucking industry has evolved — not just in safety and technology, but in how it welcomes women into professional roles once considered off-limits. Her story is one of perseverance, progress, and pride in helping pave the way for other women who choose the open road.
Who Is Ingrid Brown?
A native of the Southern Appalachians, Brown lives by this philosophy: "Nothing in life is simple. It takes hard work and in the end it's a positive journey to success". Her trucking career has been diverse, roles which include independent Owner/Operator, Chief Executive Officer, Company Driver, and Operations Manager of specialized refrigerated freight.
Brown is a charter member of the Women in Trucking Association (WIT) since it was founded in 2007. As a current member of WIT’s Board of Directors, she passionately supports the mission of WIT, which is to encourage the employment and advancement of women in trucking, foster connections, and recognize achievements.
Since 2015, she been an inaugural member of the WIT Image Team member, which is comprised of professionals who can provide insights into the life, opportunities and challenges through public speaking to the media, public events and industry trade shows.
Throughout her career, Brown has dedicated her driving career toward commercial motor vehicle (CMV) safety and the safety of the general motoring public. She continues to work directly with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for safer highways.
In 2019 Ingrid was chosen as FMCSA's CMV “Our Roads, Our Safety” campaign, which uses interviews and resources to educate all road users on safely sharing the road with large trucks and buses. Through her safety advocacy, she has been seen on billboards, and heard on podcasts, television commercials, SiriusXM and major media.
Significant Changes in Trucking Over the Years
Through her decades of experience, Brown has seen significant changes and developments directly impacting women in the trucking industry.
One of the most meaningful changes Brown has experienced is the growing respect for women in physically demanding jobs. Whether hauling livestock, managing heavy equipment, or handling open-deck freight, women are proving day after day that they can deliver with the same skill and dedication as their male counterparts. Shippers, receivers, and fellow drivers alike increasingly view women as equals who bring professionalism and care to their work.
For Brown, the biggest change is also the most encouraging: there are simply more women in trucks. Whether driving solo, working in teams, handling over-the-road routes, or managing local deliveries, women are joining the industry in record numbers. They are finding not only jobs, but also fulfilling careers with room for growth, independence, and pride.
Another dramatic change in trucking? When Brown first began her career most equipment was designed with only the physical stature of male truck drivers in mind. Adjusting a seat, reaching pedals, or accessing overhead storage could feel like wrestling with a one-size-fits-all design that didn’t actually fit all. Today, truck manufacturers have responded by making trucks more inclusive of female drivers, in part through dialogue and support by WIT. Adjustable seats, pedal distances, cabinet heights, and even door handle placements are designed with ergonomics in mind. These changes may sound small, but for women—and men of different statures — they make the workday safer and far more comfortable.
Brown describes how life on the road has become easier as well. The truck stops of her early years bore little resemblance to what’s available today. She observes that modern facilities now offer co-ed and women-only showers, expanded restrooms, and access to hygiene products and clothing that support female drivers. Beyond the basics, health and wellness are taking a front seat. Truck stops increasingly provide healthier food choices, fitness rooms, walking trails, and even dog parks — recognizing that drivers need more than fuel to thrive on the road.
As Ingrid Brown reflects on her journey, she sees a future where trucking continues to break down barriers, welcoming more women to the driver’s seat. “The road is open for us all,” she says. And thanks to drivers like her, that road is smoother for the women who follow.
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