by Women In Trucking Staff, on Sep 01, 2026
The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) has named Shawnta Wortham as its September 2026 Member of the Month. Wortham is a Critical Cargo Specialist with Boyle Transportation, a Highway Diamond lease operator and a member of the Class of 2026 WIT Image Team. Throughout her career, she has remained committed to safety and professionalism, earning a Driver Safety Award as a Landstar Ranger.
If someone had told Wortham years ago that she would become a professional truck driver, she probably would have laughed. Before entering the trucking industry, she worked in the medical profession, a field she found rewarding because it allowed her to care for others, make a difference in their lives and build meaningful connections through her work. After the loss of her mother, however, she didn’t feel emotionally ready to return to work and found herself searching for a new direction in life.
That’s when she came across a Prime Inc. training video on YouTube and something about it caught her attention. “I decided to take a chance on a career I had never imagined for myself,” she says. “Looking back, I truly believe God was opening a new door for me.”
Wortham’s father served in the military and later became a truck driver, but she had never pictured herself following in his footsteps.
After earning her CDL, she quickly realized trucking would challenge her in ways she had never experienced. She wasn't afraid to ask questions and was determined to keep learning. Experienced drivers taking the time to teach her and offer guidance, in addition to her determination, helped her become the driver she is today.
“One of my biggest accomplishments was purchasing my own truck. For me, it wasn't just about owning a truck. It represented years of faith, determination, hard work, and refusing to give up. My faith gave me the strength to keep moving forward, and my determination kept me focused on my goals. Discipline creates success,” Wortham says.
As her career continued to grow, Wortham found opportunities to expand her role in the trucking industry beyond driving. She eventually became a transportation business owner, allowing her to take on new responsibilities and continue building on the experience she had gained behind the wheel. In August of this year, another meaningful opportunity came when she was selected to serve on the Women In Trucking Image Team. She has also traveled to Capitol Hill, met with members of Congress and their staff, and spoke about issues affecting professional drivers.
Through each stage of her journey, Wortham says her faith, family and the values instilled by her parents have remained at the center of her life. Her parents taught her the importance of taking things one day at a time, a lesson that has helped her navigate both the challenges and opportunities that have come her way. Those lessons continue to shape the way she approaches her career, her family and the goals she has set for herself.
Additionally, her children and grandchildren are among her biggest sources of motivation. She hopes they understand that hard work, determination and perseverance can make a difference, even when circumstances are difficult.
Outside of work, Wortham enjoys the simple things that give her an opportunity to relax and reconnect with the people she loves. She makes time for her family and enjoys watching television and shopping. She also appreciates taking time for herself, whether that means getting her hair, nails or toes done.
Moving forward, Wortham hopes to use her experiences to help others who are considering a career in the trucking industry. One of her goals is to create a program that educates, mentors and encourages future professional drivers and transportation business owners. Having benefited from the guidance of experienced drivers early in her own career, she understands the value of having someone willing to share their knowledge and offer encouragement along the way. She hopes to provide that same kind of support to others as they begin their own journeys.
Ultimately, Wortham wants her story to serve as encouragement for anyone who may be facing uncertainty or wondering what comes next. Her path into trucking was unexpected, but it opened the door to opportunities she never imagined, from purchasing her own truck and becoming a business owner to advocating for professional drivers on Capitol Hill. Through it all, she has remained grounded in the belief that perseverance and faith can help carry you through difficult seasons and toward something better.
What began as a leap into an unfamiliar industry became a new direction for Wortham, one built on faith, perseverance and the determination to keep moving forward.
Related Articles:
- Gina Smith: Creating Career Pathways, Changing Lives
- Bobbi Leach: Opening Doors for Women in Trucking
- Sue Lawless: Bringing Fairness and Clarity to Trucking Compliance
- Jenna Walker: Carrying a Family Legacy Forward One Mile at a Time
- Lisa Cook: Driving Alignment and Inspiring Progress
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