The annual award recognizes outstanding female professional drivers who lead the industry in safety standards while actively enhancing the public image of the trucking industry.
Every year, Women In Trucking seeks nominations for the Driver of the Year award sponsored by Walmart. The award recognizes outstanding female professional drivers who lead the industry in safety standards while actively working to enhance the public image of the trucking industry.
Bass is professional driver at Transport Designs, Inc. and has been a long-haul professional driver for 50 years, accumulating 6 million accident-free miles! She is a lifetime member of WIT and Owner/Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA). She is involved in numerous charities including St. Christopher Foundation, Hats for Heroes, Special Olympics, Trucker Buddy, and Charities for troops. At 78, she is still driving long haul across the United States while encouraging and mentoring other women in the trucking industry.
“Candy Bass has given extensively to the trucking profession, not only during her time on the road and commitment to safe driving, but through mentorship and her desire to be a guiding star for women at all stages of their careers,” said Jennifer Hedrick, president and CEO, WIT.
Bass was among three finalists for the award. The other finalists include Ally Cooper, professional driver, Penske Logistics and Ann McFarland, company driver, Leonard’s Express.
Peggy Arnold, a company driver at Yellow Corporation for nearly 30 years. She received Yellow's Million Mile Safe Driving Award with nearly 1.9 million accident-free miles. Arnold is proud to serve on Yellow’s leadership team, the Women's Inclusion Network Employee Resource Group and is also part of the safety team. “Our safety team spends countless hours helping our fellow drivers prevent on the job injuries and with a goal to be accident free. I am a part of our new drivers training program and take my job straight to the heart. Every day I do my best to train and teach to the best of my ability,” she said. Arnold was named as a 2022 Top Women to Watch in Transportation by WIT, American Trucking Associations America's Road Team Captains Finalist 2022, Yellow's Road to Excellence Award 2021, and Certified Safety Trainer 2021.
FedEx Freight
Weaver has been a professional driver for over 20 years. For the first seven years of her career, she was an over-the-road driver. Then, she became a company driver with FedEx Freight and has been with the company for 13 years. She now has more than 2 million accident-free miles and zero moving violations.
Since 2019, Weaver has served as an America’s Road Team Captain. She was most recently a finalist for the Luella Bates Award at FedEx Freight and is a two-time winner of the prestigious Bravo Zulu Award, an award created by FedEx Freight founder, Fred Smith. She speaks to community colleges about the trucking industry as well as the Pennsylvania State Police Academy’s new commercial officer cadets. She is an advocate for Truckers Against Trafficking and has attended their leadership conference and is also involved with outreach programs in her community. Her 10-year-old son is proud of her and loves what she does for a living.
Day and Ross
Susie De Ridder, company driver for Day and Ross, was the winner of the first annual Female Driver of the Year award.
“Susie De Ridder has been a visible advocate for women in the trucking industry and we are so proud to honor her with the first-ever ‘Female Driver of the Year award.’ Her safety standards and community involvement enhance a positive public image of the trucking industry,” said Ellen Voie, president and CEO of WIT.
Contact Lana Nichols at (208) 217-2147 or programs@womenintrucking.org.