by Women In Trucking Staff, on Sep 15, 2025 1:10:38 PM
As the Women In Trucking Association (WIT) celebrates National Truck Driver Appreciation Week (NTDAW), it’s the perfect time to shine a spotlight on the women who keep America moving behind the wheel of a big rig. Over the years, female professional truck drivers play an essential role in an industry long populated by men, breaking barriers while delivering the goods that fuel our everyday lives. Their dedication, resilience, and professionalism not only drive our supply chains forward but also inspire the next generation to see trucking as a career without limits.
This week, WIT celebrates their contributions, their achievements, and the powerful impact they make on the road and in the industry. Let’s take a closer look at the inspiration of some of these inspiring professional truck drivers: Gina Jones (Werner), Yuma Haidara (Walmart), Sue Bell (Saia LTL Freight), and Esther Parsons (UPS).
Gina Jones of Werner Enterprises: Driving Change in Trucking
Thirteen years ago, Gina Jones never imagined she’d find her calling behind the wheel of an 18-wheeler. After nearly three decades in the grocery business, her husband invited her to join him on the road. At 50, she took the leap—and discovered a career that has since defined her purpose.
“Trucking found me at a time I needed it most,” Jones says. “You’re never too old to change the direction of your life.”
Since then, Jones has earned national recognition: serving as a Werner Road Team Captain, joining ATA’s America’s Road Team, helping deliver the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree project, and receiving the 2024 TA/Petro Citizen Driver Award. But what matters most to her is inspiring other women. “Every time I meet someone who says, ‘I didn’t think I could be a truck driver until I met you,’ it reminds me why I keep going. Representation matters.”
Like many women in trucking, Jones had to prove herself in a male-dominated field. She credits her success to persistence, mentorship, and her involvement with groups like Women In Trucking. Her next personal milestone? Reaching two million accident-free miles.
Off the road, she’s equally passionate—training for a 50-mile march to support veterans, decorating her home for the holidays, and spending time with her grandchildren. Her advice for women considering trucking: “Do your homework, find an employer who respects you, and never let anyone tell you that you can’t. Be yourself—authentically.”
From a late-in-life career change to standing on the White House lawn, Gina Jones has proven that passion and perseverance can take you far. And for her, the road ahead is still wide open.
Read “Miles With Meaning: The Drive of Gina Jones”
Yuma Haidara With Walmart: Driving Change, Inspiring Others
For Yuma Haidara, the road to trucking began with a simple question. After passing a truck driving school one day, curiosity got the better of her.
“I didn’t even know what I thought I could get out of it, but I just went in and started asking questions,” she recalls. When she learned her GI Bill would cover training, she jumped in—and never looked back. Twelve years later, Haidara is a seasoned over-the-road driver, a certified trainer, and a mentor with Walmart Transportation in Raymond, NH.
A Navy Seabee Combat Veteran who deployed multiple times to Iraq and Afghanistan, Haidara was already accustomed to working in male-dominated fields. “The military set me up to work in a man’s world,” she says. “So, when I went to truck driving school, I was like, here we go again.” Yet, she not only persevered—she thrived, turning her career into a platform for advocacy and mentorship.
Today, Haidara is passionate about showing women—and especially veterans—that trucking offers opportunity, independence, and stability. Her message is simple and powerful: “If I can do it, you can do it. Just do it! What are you waiting for?”
As part of Walmart’s Associate-to-Driver program, she now trains new drivers, guiding them from their CDL exams to their first days on the road. Watching others succeed, she says, is one of the most rewarding parts of her career. “It’s so great to see people go from 0 to 100, and I’ve seen it so many times.”
Beyond the cab, Haidara devotes her free time to nonprofit work, especially supporting veterans and mental health causes close to her heart. Walmart, she notes, supports her mission by giving her the flexibility to give back.
For Haidara, trucking isn’t just a job—it’s a path to peace, purpose, and empowerment. And through her leadership, she’s paving that road for others to follow.
Read “The Trucking Life of Yuma Haidara: If I Can Do It, You Can Do It!”
Sue Bell: Fueled by Grit, Driven by Purpose
For Sue Bell, trucking isn’t just a career—it’s a calling built on resilience, independence, and purpose. For more than seven years, she has been driving with Saia LTL Freight, where each mile has brought growth, recognition, and the pride of knowing her work keeps essential goods moving across the country.
Her entry into the industry started with a simple conversation with her husband about teaming up on the road. The opportunity was exactly what she wanted: a hands-on, fast-paced career that kept her active. What keeps her motivated is the knowledge that she plays a vital role in everyday life. “Knowing that I contribute something essential is the most rewarding aspect of this job,” she says.
One moment stands out in particular: stopping at the scene of a serious accident to use her semi to protect those involved until first responders arrived. That instinct to keep others safe reflects the responsibility she carries as a driver—and it hasn’t gone unnoticed. Bell has received safety awards at Saia, recognition she treasures. “I aim high to stay safe, and I take pride in that,” she says.
As a woman in a male-dominated industry, Bell has faced doubt. Instead of being discouraged, she turned skepticism into motivation. “Knowing there would be doubters only made me more focused and motivated,” she says. Over time, her results have spoken for themselves.
Looking ahead, Bell is sharpening her skills with a business degree in supply chain management and hopes to grow into a leadership role, perhaps as a regional safety manager. For now, she continues to pave the way for other women, urging them: “Never doubt your abilities and never count yourself out. This industry is challenging, but if you’re strong and determined, why not you?”
Bell’s story is proof that with grit, mentorship, and passion, no road is too long and no challenge too great.
Read “Fueled By Grit: Sue Bell’s Inspiring Journey In Trucking
Esther Parsons of UPS: “Trucking Is a Blessing That Keeps on Giving”
For Esther Parsons, the open road is more than a career—it’s a gift that continues to shape her life in unexpected ways. A Women In Trucking Image Team member and feeder driver for UPS, Parsons lights up when asked what she loves most about the job. Her answer is simple: “the view!”
Early in her career, Parsons drove locally and regionally, covering nine states. Today, as part of a sleeper team, her color-coded map boasts 41 states. “It has been fantastic because I don’t know if I would have ever seen all this if I hadn’t joined a sleeper team. I love seeing our country from the windshield,” she says.
Parsons believes trucking is liberating on multiple levels. “We often impose limits on ourselves as women and individuals. This industry expands your horizons, instills confidence, and brings financial freedom. It’s a blessing that keeps on giving,” she says.
Parsons recognizes the women who came before her and paved the way in trucking. She’s also seen progress firsthand. “Employers are much more accepting now than they were decades ago,” she reflects. “Today, I see women pulling tankers, flatbeds, doubles, dry vans, and reefers. It’s amazing—you name it, and we’re driving it.”
Still, she knows many women wrestle with imposter syndrome—doubting their skills or questioning if they belong. Her advice? Step out, be seen, and do the job with excellence. “At the end of the day, you can proudly check off what you’ve done—and done exceptionally well.”
Mentorship has been central to Parsons’ journey. She’s guided five mentees and still leans on her own mentor, fellow WIT Image Team member Jodi Edwards. “Don’t ever give up! There will be hard days, but you’ll get through them,” Parsons emphasizes.
Parsons’ decision to join Women In Trucking was driven by a desire for community. “It’s wonderful to see and be part of this group,” she says. The sisterhood, support, and shared wisdom are invaluable, especially for women exploring trucking as a second career or life change.
She encourages newcomers to do their homework—research training options, local opportunities, and industry expectations. “This isn’t a 9-to-5 job,” she notes. “Don’t expect a gravy run right out of school. Be patient, put in the work, and the rewards will come.”
Parsons is especially proud to be UPS’s first WIT Image Team member, grateful for the company’s support of her journey. For her, trucking has been more than a profession—it’s been freedom, growth, and empowerment.
“I wholeheartedly believe this is a tremendous experience for women and anyone in trucking,” she says. “It has definitely been a blessing to me.”
Read “Esther Parsons: Trucking Is A Blessing That Keeps On Giving”
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- Thanks To Women Drivers Who Go The Extra Mile Every Day
- Thank You Professional Truck Drivers
- Recap: National Truck Driver Appreciation Week
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