by Fran Bernard, on Aug 18, 2025 9:37:32 AM
April Crysel initially became involved with the Women In Trucking Association (WIT) back in 2015 when she found WIT’s Facebook Discussion Group page for professional drivers. Sandy Long, a professional truck driver and active advocate for female drivers who passed away in 2017, then mentored her.
"Sandy was a great mentor,” she recalls. “She talked me through things and told me how to cope.” Crysel feels that coping mechanisms can be a problem when you're out there and feel like you're stuck. However, having a mentor who can relate to you is very helpful.
Fast-forward to today, Crysel is an Image Team member and is thrilled to be a mentor to others. She wants to be a support system to others and feels that doing thorough research starting at the beginning when looking for a school to attend, is essential. She feels that a good training facility makes a big difference. Contacting WIT to find help with schools and jobs is an advantage to being part of the WIT community.
She knows from her experience that you need the ability to turn to a person with expertise and to ask questions about making a good decision. Mentors are an effective way to reassure mentees that they are making a good judgment call.
"If you have an issue out there, chances are one of us has had to deal with a similar situation or the same thing at one time in our lives, and we can help you not have to experience the situation by yourself," Crysel states. “It will make the inexperience less scary. Mentors can talk mentees off the ledge and show them that it is not the end of the world. They are fine, alive, and well, and the truck is still running. We will start over again tomorrow.”
Crysel recently changed jobs and started driving for Daybreak Express, a transportation company based in Newark, NJ. Daybreak express is a specialized for-hire trucking company that provides both less-than-truckload (LTL) and full truckload (TL) services, as well as cold chain and specialized cargo services. She is enjoying being a part of this unique, specialized carrier.
What does Crysel think are some of the biggest barriers for female professional truck drivers? She finds that many women are afraid to be out on the road by themselves. However, if they are being safe they shouldn't be scared to be out there. "Can it be dangerous? I mean, can it be, of course, but you can find that anywhere," she emphasizes, "I have heard so many women say, 'I couldn't do it, I would be too scared to be out there by myself,' and I tell them you just need to pay attention and be aware of your surroundings." She has learned that there are many things you can do to ensure your safety by being informed and prepared to defend yourself against someone who comes after you. "You need to be in control of your career and your life," she adds.
There may come a time when you need to discuss a run with dispatch. If you genuinely believe that your safety or life is at risk, it's crucial to communicate your concerns to your dispatcher. Your health, safety, and life should never be compromised. Building up your self-confidence is key. You should feel empowered to tell your dispatch if you have concerns about a run and explain why. Remember, you are in control of your career and your life.
She does see a lot more women out driving now. She sees many women in day cabs running the port, and she now passes more women in truck stops. Crysel mentions, "It's a great feeling to see all these women realizing that they can do this."
Crysel enjoys her freedom on the road the most. You've got that feeling that you can and have accomplished something by driving your truck, she says. There is a lot more scope to truck drivers than just driving a truck down the road. There is a lot more to know to accomplish our job. Seeing the beautiful sunrises and sunsets is a win. Things you wouldn't be able to see sitting in an office. She has seen so much of the United States that she would never have seen otherwise had it not been for her job. “Not to mention all the ‘free vacations!’” Crysel adds. "I would recommend truck driving to women. Travel the roads, enjoy the scenery, and make good money."
Related Articles:
- WIT Announces Member of the Month April Crysel
- WIT Announces Class of 2024 Image Team
- The Trucking Life of Yuma Haidara: “If I Can Do It, You Can Do It!”
- Esther Parsons: “Trucking Is A Blessing That Keeps On Giving”
- Women In Trucking’s Image Team
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