WIT Rolls Into DC With Big Conversations — and a Holiday Tree

Jennifer Hedrick, WIT President & CEO, DOT Secretary Sean Duffy, and WIT Board Member and professional truck driver Ingrid Brown invest time together during a special DOT tree lighting.  

It was one of those weeks that reminds you why the work matters — and why the road sometimes can lead straight to the Nation’s Capitol. Last week, Women In Trucking (WIT) had some stand-out moments that blended leadership, relationship-building with key government stakeholders, and a little holiday magic.

WIT board member Ingrid Brown of Blackjack Express LLC kicked things off the only way a professional truck driver knows how: behind the wheel. Driving from her hometown of Boone, NC, Brown made her way to Washington, D.C., picked up WIT President & CEO Jennifer Hedrick about 150 miles outside the city for a ride-along, and delivered a Christmas tree to the U.S. Department of Transportation headquarters. The tree marked the launch of a new annual tradition — a DOT tree lighting — which took place last Thursday evening and set a festive tone for an already meaningful visit.

DOT Secretary Duffy connects with WIT Board Member and Professional Truck Driver Ingrid Brown in her cab while she delivers the holiday tree at DOT headquarters. 

Over several days in Washington, Hedrick and Brown had the opportunity to spend time with the DOT Secretary Sean Duffy and newly appointed Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Derek Barrs—engaging directly with government leaders who are shaping the future of trucking. DOT recently shared a two-minute video snapshot of the visit, and it perfectly captured the spirit of the week:

Video on LinkedIn
Video on X (formerly Twitter)

“Beyond the celebration, there was great conversation,” says Hedrick. “Ingrid, WIT’s government affairs consultant Tom Jensen, and I also spent some time with Administrator Barrs discussing his role at FMCSA, his priorities in trucking safety, and how government and WIT can work together to better serve drivers and the broader trucking community. It was thoughtful, productive time—and time well-spent.”

WIT has a long-standing relationship with leaders with both DOT and FMCSA to share concerns and voice opinions in issues critical to women in the trucking industry. Such issues as training to overall driver safety on the road are key to WIT’s mission: To champion the employment and advancement of women in trucking, foster connections, and recognize achievements.
 
Over the years, WIT has actively engaged with various DOT leaders and programs, including FMCSA’s Our Roads, Our Safety® campaign, a “Touch a Truck” Tour for FMCSA leadership, and sharing training solutions during a White House Listening Session.

Related Articles:

• WIT Engages with FMCSA in “Our Roads, Our Safety” Campaign
• WIT Hosts “Touch A Truck” Tour for FMCSA’s Deputy Administrator
• WIT Sends Four Appointments to FMCSA Safety Committees
• WIT Advocates for Same-Gender Training Solutions During White House Listening Session
• DOT/FMCSA Leader Daphne Jefferson Named Influential Woman in Trucking

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