Ellen Voie (Voy-a) is an internationally recognized speaker and authority on gender diversity and inclusion for women working in non-traditional careers in transportation. She has been invited to speak to audiences in Sweden, Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, France, Mexico, and Canada, in addition to being a popular speaker at conferences throughout the United States. Voie founded the Women In Trucking Association in 2007, and currently serves as the nonprofit organization’s President & CEO. The Women In Trucking Association was formed to promote the employment of women in the trucking industry, to remove obstacles that might keep them from succeeding, and to celebrate the successes of its members. Voie also currently serves on the Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee (MCSAC) to provide recommendations and advice to the FMCSA on motor carrier safety programs and motor carrier safety regulations. Voie’s background in the trucking industry began as the assistant and later Traffic Manager for a steel fabricating plant in the upper Midwest. She then worked as a dispatcher for a grain hauling carrier before becoming co-owner of a small fleet. After starting a family, she used her background to become a freelance transportation consultant to carriers in Wisconsin, licensing and permitting trucks for more than 16 years. Voie also served as the Executive Director of Trucker Buddy International, Inc., a pen pal program between professional drivers and elementary students. Voie holds a Master’s in Communication degree from the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point, where she completed her Thesis research on the complex identities of women married to professional drivers. She also hold a degree in Traffic and Transportation Management from LaSalle Extension University. Voie has earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential from the American Society of Association Executives, the leading authority in association management.

Columnists,Ellen Voie |
April 2, 2020

Until a few short weeks ago, none of us could have imagined a world with COVID 19, social distancing and government mandates to stay in our homes. Each day we listen to news reports telling us the numbers of people affected and how many deaths have occurred.

In the past, we’ve all agreed that the trucking industry had an image problem.  First, most of the folks who drive four wheelers don’t understand how to operate around tractor trailers.  In addition, they don’t appreciate the impact the trucking industry has on their own lives, much less the economy as a whole.

Now, as the airlines, motor coach and school bus, passenger rail and other modes of transportation are suffering because of the virus, the trucking industry continues to move forward (literally!).

The average citizen is finally starting to understand how that big truck on the road impacts them, personally. In fact, we’re actually seeing a surge in appreciation for the drivers who are delivering food, gas, household goods and hand sanitizer!

While governments shut down restaurants for indoor seating, they didn’t consider how a driver was supposed to maneuver a rig into a drive thru lane, while walking up to the window was prohibited.  McDonalds took the lead and promoted their mobile app so drivers could pay and receive the order in a designated area. Thanks McDonalds for #SteeringTowardKindness

Hotels and Motels are concerned about accommodating professional drivers and many are closing their doors.  Drury Inn & Suites reached out to us to let us know that their staff is welcoming drivers and have reduced rates to their cost.  They’re offering a “Travel Healthy” room for $59 to include free breakfast, fresh popcorn and free evening reception to include hot food and cold beverages, including beer and wine.  Pools and whirlpools are also available for drivers to ease those muscles.  Thanks Drury Inn for #SteeringTowardKindness

Truck stops are vital for drivers who need parking, food and fuel. Sapp Brothers is suspending paid parking at all locations.  Love’s has converted their self-service grills and delis to full service so their team members will serve the food products.  All of the nation’s truck stops have remained open, continue to provide fuel and food and showers, but report they have implemented higher levels of cleaning and sanitization.

Trucking companies are working hard to continue to deliver medical supplies, hand sanitizers and COVID 19 test kits.  Many carriers are providing supplies and snacks to their drivers.  Paper Transport, Inc. in Green Bay, Wisconsin, went beyond that and President Jeff Shefchik pledged one half of their profit in April to nonprofits helping people affected by the virus. Thanks Paper Transport for #SteeringTowardKindness

In order to keep the momentum going, we’d like to hear your stories.  Let’s all look at the bright side of this pandemic and show each other how we’re steering toward kindness.  If you’re on the Women In Trucking Facebook page, post your story there and tag #SteeringTowardKindness.  Share it on Twitter and tag us @WomenInTrucking.  You can also send your story to president@womenintrucking.org and I’ll read it on the Women In Trucking show on SiriusXM’s Road Dog Trucking Channel 146 on Saturday, April 11th from 10 am to noon central.  Better yet, call in and share the story yourself.  You can reach the studio by calling 888-876-2336 (888-8 ROAD DOG).

While we work through this devasting virus, we can be assured that the trucking industry will continue to deliver the needed food and supplies to help the world deal with this horrific challenge. In every one of those cabs is a professional driver who is braving the challenges he or she is facing in order to complete the load. Thank you for #SteeringTowardKindness.

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Ellen Voie (Voy-a) is an internationally recognized speaker and authority on gender diversity and inclusion for women working in non-traditional careers in transportation. She has been invited to speak to audiences in Sweden, Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, France, Mexico, and Canada, in addition to being a popular speaker at conferences throughout the United States. Voie founded the Women In Trucking Association in 2007, and currently serves as the nonprofit organization’s President & CEO. The Women In Trucking Association was formed to promote the employment of women in the trucking industry, to remove obstacles that might keep them from succeeding, and to celebrate the successes of its members. Voie also currently serves on the Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee (MCSAC) to provide recommendations and advice to the FMCSA on motor carrier safety programs and motor carrier safety regulations. Voie’s background in the trucking industry began as the assistant and later Traffic Manager for a steel fabricating plant in the upper Midwest. She then worked as a dispatcher for a grain hauling carrier before becoming co-owner of a small fleet. After starting a family, she used her background to become a freelance transportation consultant to carriers in Wisconsin, licensing and permitting trucks for more than 16 years. Voie also served as the Executive Director of Trucker Buddy International, Inc., a pen pal program between professional drivers and elementary students. Voie holds a Master’s in Communication degree from the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point, where she completed her Thesis research on the complex identities of women married to professional drivers. She also hold a degree in Traffic and Transportation Management from LaSalle Extension University. Voie has earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential from the American Society of Association Executives, the leading authority in association management.