Sexism In Trucking From A Woman's Perspective

When I drove before, I never saw any women harassed or belittled. Maybe a few "cat calls", but I don't think that having women truckers out here is a bad thing, and should be treated with respect, but they also don't need to be pulling the "damsel in distress" card (unless they are really asking for help.) And most guys will help. But lady, why would you want to stir the s*** pot the way you are. Most lady truckers I met before when I did Fedx Ground, didn't act like a primadonna. They came into the fuel stops to fuel, maybe get something to eat, chat maybe with another trucker on how their day was going and back on the road to do her job. PERIOD! I don't care what color, or gender you are, can you drive the truck and stay in your lane and do it safely. That is all anyone should ask for.

"Our society in general promotes victimization because it makes some people feel special and unique. Some feel solidarity in sharing their stories with other victims. Women need to stop playing the victim card if they want equality. They need to stop hating men."

YES!!!!!! SO MUCH THIS!!! Thank you, Rainy, for saying something I think all the time! Every human being should read your blog whether they're female or male, trucker or not!

Thanks so much Jo Anne!!

Im glad i can help, and you see will many will disagree with me, but who cares. do whatever is good for you, safe for you, and makes you happy.

Bad attitudes get bad results. Great attitudes get big $$$$ in the bank ;)

From Brett about Rainy:

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.

These are some of the reasons I admire Rainy. I have a hard time biting my tongue around "woe is me" and "poor me" people in general (not just women). People have WAY more control over what "happens to them" than some would let on. Thanks, Rainy, for this awesome article and thanks for Brett (again and always) for this awesome forum!

I have a hard time biting my tongue around "woe is me" and "poor me" people

It's hard not to notice that the "poor me" types irritate me to no end. I was raised in a world where mental and physical toughness were cherished. "Take it like a man" was a common mantra and it wasn't something you ever wanted to be told because it meant you were being a crybaby, the worst thing imaginable.

I've been known to ask people if they've ever read the book, "How to Cry, Blame, and Complain Your Way To The Top" and of course the answer is "no" because that book doesn't exist and never will.

I absolutely love Rainy's approach to life. She takes challenges head on, she fights her way through tough times and unfair circumstances, and she'll poke you in the eye if you run your mouth the wrong way. When she brings up tough or unfair circumstances she's had to face it's only to let people know, "Hey, I made it through all this so you can get through your troubles just the same." That's the kind of person I respect immensely.

If you read through their stories you'll notice that all of our moderators have very high levels of toughness and ambition. They're out there getting the job done day in and day out, performing at a Top Tier level without making excuses or blaming or crybabying.

"When the going gets tough, the tough get going." My parents must have said that to me 5,000 times growing up. I lived by that and I admire others who do also.

Rainy:

I've read many posts and articles that you've written over time, and today I just read the one on this topic. Knowing what I've seen from you in the past, I had high hopes for it, and I was not disappointed. In fact, I was even more impressed by you.

And I was coming here to tell you that, and then I read the replies. I then read your response back to one particular reply, and I didn't think that my respect for you could go any higher, but it just did.

What an absolute class act you are.

And based on what you wrote, you're a lot like me. I don't even bother with worrying about what someone else is doing. Why should I? It doesn't affect my life, I've got enough to think about and concentrate on, and I have goals. Gossiping about what someone else is doing is not my thing, nor is scrutinizing the way they present themselves and live their lives.

Anyway, I could say so much, but will leave it at: You really are a wonderful person, and I thank you so much for sharing your views, your experiences, tips, suggestions, and what you've learned along the way. Whenever I see "By Rainy", I click immediately.

Have a great day, Happy New Year, and stay safe. We need people like you.

OMG... all of you have me blushing!!! Thank you all so.much!

Serenity, About that one commentor...i always laugh and say "But im a WOMAN! i cant be wrong or you are sexist, right? that is what you believe, women are always right, so im right." hahaha

im a witch, i admit it. Thanks for.reading!

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.

I keep waking threads up.

Rainy, this makes me want to work for Prime. How awesome is that!! Touches my heart.

I'll peep in on "Lady Diva's" statement above as well. Sorry but I CANNOT help myself...

She said her experience was mostly from the oil field: --Well; so is mine. Oil and Commercial fishing, to be exact. If anyone reads back these amazing threads--thank you thank you Rainy! And wonders about the boys of oil..

I have been treated with nothing but respect in both of those industries. And though I am old now; while fishing I was young and pretty 😊. It does go to show you, attitude IS everything.

Anyway --sorry for doing this yet again... Perhaps it is better to do a new thread and link to it? At any rate I will try my best to refrain.

This one just took the cake.

Anyway --sorry for doing this yet again... Perhaps it is better to do a new thread and link to it? At any rate I will try my best to refrain.

This one just took the cake.

You can revive old threads. We have a treasure trove of them. I enjoy seeing the good ones pop up again. Carry on.

Anyway --sorry for doing this yet again... Perhaps it is better to do a new thread and link to it? At any rate I will try my best to refrain.

This one just took the cake.

You can revive old threads. We have a treasure trove of them. I enjoy seeing the good ones pop up again. Carry on.

Oh thank you Brett! ☺️ Glad I’m not in trouble.

Also thank you for letting me post without admin pre-approval.

On another topic—I got the kindle version of your book last night. I had already read it online (when I first came on here); and it is just as good the second time through.

Thank you so much for doing all of this for all of the newbies, and making it free to boot!

Appreciate it very much! ☺️

As said when I first came on; my earlier decision (2001) to join the industry stopped in its tracks after what is fondly referred to in this forum as terminal rats scared me stiff! —And this was even with being in fantastic physical shape after commercial fishing in the 90’s. —And spending my teens in semi trucks over in Europe, where my best girlfriend’s dad owned a small fleet.

I ran to manufacturing and then (oil) construction and didn’t look back for over 15 years.

I remember what you told me then, this was exactly why you started the forum.

So thank you! ☺️