Recap: Honoring Women Drivers During National Truck Driver Appreciation Week

Every September, the industry (and the nation!) pauses to recognize the people who power our economy: truck drivers. National Truck Driver Appreciation Week (NTDAW) is more than a recognition of miles driven and freight delivered — it’s about celebrating the grit, resilience, and commitment of the men and women who keep America moving. This year, the Women In Trucking Association (WIT) put a well-deserved spotlight on women behind the wheel.

Traditionally viewed as a male-populated industry, trucking is experiencing a transformation. Women are stepping into roles across the board — not only as drivers, but also as mechanics, dispatchers, safety leaders, and fleet managers. Their contributions are proving that determination and skill matter far more than outdated stereotypes. From long-haul drivers who crisscross the country to regional haulers balancing work and family, women are rewriting the story of trucking and inspiring others to follow their lead.

How WIT Encouraged Members to Celebrate Women Drivers

Throughout the week, WIT encouraged individuals and companies alike to celebrate the drivers who keep shelves stocked, hospitals supplied, and communities connected. Some of the ways included:

• WIT Members and Staff Take a Moment to Thank a Professional Truck Driver Online. WIT’s Driver Engagement Director Jenny Fall encouraged WIT board members, committee members, staff and members at-large to record messages. She then edited them in a video series and WIT pushed them out through its various social media channels.
• Individuals Met Drivers to Express Gratitude — WIT President & CEO Jennifer Hedrick along with Jenny Fall hosted pop-ups at TravelCenters of America to hand out swag and meeting drivers to say a heartfelt “thank you.” Also, WIT members were encouraged to get out to truck stops or their corporate facilities to connect with drivers.
• WIT Shared Stories of Inspiring Female Drivers on social media with hashtags like #NTDAW, #WomenInTrucking, and #ThankATrucker.
• WIT Hosted a Voices from the Road Webinar featuring driver members of the WIT Image Team. The webinar was facilitated by Jenny Fall.
• WIT Offered 50% off Driver memberships in appreciation

WIT President & CEO Jennifer Hedrick hit the road to host pop-ups to hand out swag, share gratitude, and connect with drivers who keep America moving. 

WIT shared stories of inspiring female drivers on social media, including Gina Jones of Werner Enterprises who is the 2025 August Member of the Month.

WIT offered 50% off driver membership during National Truck Driver Appreciation Week as a way to say “Thank You” and to encourage more drivers to join the WIT community.

Highlights of WIT Members Appreciating Drivers

Several WIT Corporate members went above and beyond to recognize and celebrate drivers through this year’s National Truck Driver Appreciation Week. Here are just a few examples.

Landstar recently gave away its 52nd truck to one very lucky owner-operator leased to Landstar. Independent owner-operator Christian Sanchez Cantù was randomly selected as one of five finalists and was lucky enough to win the new Landstar blue 2026 Freightliner Cascadia. The giveaway took place during Landstar’s annual BCO Appreciation Days event held this year in Bossier City, Louisiana, on Sept. 18, 2025, and was part of National Truck Driver Appreciation Week.

C.H. Robinson celebrated professional truck drivers with:

• A thank-you campaign: C.H. Robinson invites the world to #ThankATruckDriver. For each social media post using that hashtag during the week of September 15-21, the C.H. Robinson Foundation will donate $10–up to a total of $50,000–to the St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund, which provides support to truck drivers in need.
• In-person celebrations: C.H. Robinson is hosting events in 13 cities across the U.S. and Mexico to thank truck drivers in person. At these company, customer, and carrier locations, employees will share food, care packages, and other tokens of appreciation. In partnership with the St. Christopher fund, they’ll also hand out health and wellness packets with free resources that can help truck drivers manage the physically demanding nature of their jobs. C.H. Robinson is also thanking carriers in Latin America and Europe.
• More donations for truck drivers in need: New this year, the C.H. Robinson Foundation will contribute an additional $15 to the St. Christopher fund for every hour C.H. Robinson employees volunteer for Truck Driver Appreciation Week activities.

Love’s Travel Stops is extending the National Truck Driver Appreciation Week celebrations with exclusive offers throughout September. All month, professional drivers can visit Love’s locations to redeem offers through Love’s loyalty program, My Love Rewards, and on the Love’s Connect App. Love's also offered drivers extra savings, rewards, and points, including: Earn double My Love Rewards points on any in-store merchandise purchase in September by adding the Mobile Deal to your My Love Rewards card; receive a Premium Bundle truck wash at the Deluxe Bundle price by adding the Mobile Deal to your My Love Rewards card; free driver appreciation hat with the purchase of three packs of gloves; and free Traverse Pro Series hat with the purchase of a Traverse Travel Gear seat cushion or Traverse Pro Series flashlight.

National Truck Driver Appreciation Week is an annual reminder of how essential drivers are — and how the trucking industry itself is evolving. Women aren’t just filling seats behind the wheel; they’re taking the lead in shaping the industry’s future.

To all the women truck drivers out there: thank you for every mile driven, every safe delivery made, and every barrier broken. Your work keeps America moving forward — and your stories are paving the way for a more inclusive, resilient trucking industry.

Related Articles:

• Celebrating the Women Behind the Wheel This Truck Driver Appreciation Week
• Celebrate National Truck Driver Appreciation Week
• Thank You Professional Truck Drivers!
• Thanks to Women Drivers Who Go the Extra Mile Every Day
• HERstories Recap: National Truck Driver Appreciation Week

Like this kind of content?

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