Sexism In Trucking From A Woman's Perspective

I thank you all for your support and G Town's compliments.

I know women will balk at my philosophy, but I wanted to point out the defense of women on this forum.

This week we had a woman post that she wants weekends off with no to little experience and a company that wont monitor her driving unsafely. We had a student in CDL school a couple.months ago who claimed sexual harassment and she asked for advice on what to do, then wrote ad naseum about how poor she is and how her and her boyfriend live in a car...so much the damsel in distress i was expecting a GoFund me link at any moment. She didnt think she should have to pay for the school tuition because the instructor pulled her bra strap....which she never said anything to the school or police until encouraged by the men on this forum. Even after telling her friends, family and boyfriend she got more support from the male truckers here!

What makes me laugh is that the same men truckers who are supposed to be so sexist and hate women are on this forum being extremely cordial...to the point it makes me sick every once in a while.

Perhaps the guys here are sexist because they go out of their way to be nice to a woman. I know if a man posted asking for weekends off and no safety features on the vehicle he would have been told to go to fantasy land. Instead, Errol very nicely explained the realities of trucking.

Honestly, if being treated nicely is sexist...then yeah...im all for it.

and i whole heartedly defend the men on this forum and MOST of the men i have met OTR. There have been only a few guys i can say who were truly obnoxious, and i am not sure it was about me being a woman or.being new and backing slowly.

But i digress. As we constantly say here...its about attitude. If someone wants to hunt for the negative and focus soley on one thing, then negativity is what is experienced.

I wish her luck and good fortunes.

Feeling a random moment of weakness, my wife just snapped this picture of me, in an attempt to make G-Town laugh again!

...if you wear a bra....

Well, big boy...

Oh Rainy, you found the words I could not. I have with one outlandish exception been treated with respect out here. And when I'm not, maybe I just ignore it.

I had a couple of student who just couldn't understand how I was so comfy out here. I've had the company give me ladies numbers to help coach, and I can't handle the freak outs about a guy looking or whistling or asking if they need help. I've never felt like "every man who talks to me out here wants in my pants" yet plenty of women I've talked to seem to throw that out there. It's frustrating.

Oh Rainy, you found the words I could not. I have with one outlandish exception been treated with respect out here. And when I'm not, maybe I just ignore it.

I had a couple of student who just couldn't understand how I was so comfy out here. I've had the company give me ladies numbers to help coach, and I can't handle the freak outs about a guy looking or whistling or asking if they need help. I've never felt like "every man who talks to me out here wants in my pants" yet plenty of women I've talked to seem to throw that out there. It's frustrating.

I think people identify themselves as one thing or another and nothing else. That can skew our perceptions of others. Often we assume someone may be looking at us funny for.being female, black, lesbian (insert any adjective here). sometimes people are looking at how messed up your hair is from the wind. Or the sky above your head. Perhaps admiring your shirt.

if we continue to always take things so personally, we only hurt ourselves.

plus... i love men. ;)

Jeremy making us all laugh...

Feeling a random moment of weakness, my wife just snapped this picture of me, in an attempt to make G-Town laugh again!

...if you wear a bra....

Well, big boy...

Horrified...

I am now in need a cornea transplant...thanks! Life as I know it will never be the same. LOL so much gasping for air!

Great article Rainy! I agree that everyone could use this advice, even outside of trucking.

Great Article, I'm a new lady trucker. Just got my license and starting my first job next week. That being said, I have worked around men and in male dominated professions most of my life. In my experience, most of the men I have chosen to be around and work with are great. Most of them actually enjoy having women around and are willing to make them feel comfortable. So far everyone has been nice to me and I haven't felt the slightest bit sexually harassed. It is the few who ruin it for the many for sure. I do agree that women need to take some responsibility and stop playing the victim card. I know this is a stereotypical "man's job". If you need your princess pillow and intend to wear heals and makeup and not get your hands dirty then you're probably not going to make it. Just saying.

Today we published an amazing new article by Rainy:

Sexism In Trucking From A Woman's Perspective

I've gotta say this has instantly has become one of my favorite articles of all time, and we have a lot of em! But that's the truth. Rainy's message of empowerment is one that I admire wholeheartedly. She doesn't believe in being meek, playing the victim, or begging for sympathy.

Rainy believes in having strong character, standing up for yourself when the situation calls for it, and performing at a high level with no excuses.

I also admire Rainy's courage for taking the approach she does toward women in the trucking industry. There will be some women who don't agree with her approach but she pulls no punches when she shares her belief that those women are causing more problems than they are solving. Rainy not only has the courage to speak her mind, but she lives by her beliefs and stands strong.

This is an article that everyone should read. We've all been victimized at times in our lives. We all have inherent disadvantages in some ways. We've all been bullied or written off without being given a fair shake at some point. You will find Rainy's approach to be inspiring in many ways no matter who you are.

If you need your princess pillow and intend to wear heals and makeup and not get your hands dirty then you're probably not going to make it. Just saying.

Hey Martha, welcome to Trucking Truth!

Your comment above gave me a chuckle, because I've seen a few men out here wearing heels and makeup! I'm not sure how their careers are going, but they sure do get some attention at the fuel islands.

Prime is constantly doing all.sorts of.fund raisers for charity.Many times Prime matches what the employees raise. I can recall walk a thons for heart disease, breast cancer, the red cross and more.

This month it is a Domestic Violence chariry.

ICare fundraiser

Prime has a "Highway Diamonds" Program that has an annual gala.for women drivers, nominates top women or those who helped the most, and discusses women in trucking issues.

Even so, some women want to go on and on about how trucking is not woman friendly. What crap!

I posted this not to try to ask.for.donations, but strictly to shown the kinds of things trucking companies are doing with womens issues in mind.

As woth everythong, its.all.about attitude, if you look for sexism, racism, antisemitism everywhere then you find it.

First off Rainy D another incredible and well written article. I know that sexual harassment continues to be a hot button with not only with women but also with men. Here is my take on female truck drivers. If I see a female exiting a the driver side of a truck all I see is a "driver" same goes with males. I am still extremely knew too this field. But from what I have seen women seem to be treated for the most part as equals in this career field.