The event brought together 32 women from 14 states representing motor carriers, suppliers, and other transportation businesses for three days of meetings with members of Congress, congressional staff, and federal officials.

According to ATA, the discussions centered on policies affecting professional truck drivers, freight transportation, and the industry’s long-term workforce.

Truck Parking Remained a Key Topic

One of the primary issues raised during meetings on Capitol Hill was the continued shortage of safe truck parking.

Women In Motion members also encouraged lawmakers to support a long-term surface transportation reauthorization bill, protect independent contractor opportunities, improve restroom access for truck drivers, and address staged vehicle crashes that contribute to rising insurance costs throughout the trucking industry.

The group also discussed the importance of continued investment in transportation infrastructure and regulatory policies that support freight movement across the country.

Meetings Included Federal Agencies and Members of Congress

The council’s schedule included a regulatory briefing from Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Administrator Derek Barrs and a meeting with Acting Department of Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling.

Members also met individually with lawmakers, including Senators Joni Ernst of Iowa, Todd Young of Indiana, and John Boozman of Arkansas, along with Representatives Adelita Grijalva of Arizona, Steve Womack of Arkansas, and Mike Collins of Georgia.

Cait Hone, director of Women In Motion, said bringing industry professionals directly into discussions with policymakers gives lawmakers a better understanding of the challenges facing trucking.

“Our members brought real-world perspectives to Capitol Hill and highlighted practical solutions that would boost safety, strengthen the workforce, and support an industry that Americans depend on every day,” Hone said.

Annual Advocacy Event Continues to Grow

This year marked the third Call on Washington organized by Women In Motion.

ATA said the annual event gives women from across the trucking industry an opportunity to speak directly with elected officials about issues affecting carriers, professional drivers, and businesses that support the freight industry.

Women In Motion was established by ATA to encourage leadership and professional development for women working throughout trucking. Its membership includes truck drivers, technicians, human resources professionals, executives, suppliers, and other industry professionals.

The TDUSA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering trucking news, industry updates, safety, regulations, and career information for professional truck drivers across the United States. Each article is built to reflect real-world experience, industry developments, and information drivers can use on and off the road.

Last Updated: July 24, 2026

Source: The Trucker

Image Source: ATA

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Their goal: to improve working conditions for truckers, defend independent contractor rights, and ensure women’s voices are front and center in shaping transportation policy.

“Women In Motion was founded to amplify the voices of women in the trucking industry, highlight their unique insights, and inspire lasting change,” said Cait Hone, WIM director. “Thanks to ATA’s strong relationships on Capitol Hill and throughout Washington, we were able to bring WIM’s mission directly to key national leaders. We’re incredibly grateful to our members and sponsors who joined us for our member-only Call on Washington. The progress we made advancing our legislative priorities is a vital step toward building a supportive industry for all.”

Real Voices. Real Issues.

Over a packed three-day schedule, WIM members participated in dozens of meetings with federal lawmakers and key policy influencers. Their focus? Getting real about what drivers experience every day—and what’s needed to fix it.

Top of mind was the ongoing truck parking crisis and the lack of reliable restroom access for drivers on the road. Both are everyday struggles for truckers, especially women, and WIM attendees made it clear that these issues can’t be sidelined anymore. They pushed for action on the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act, a proposal that would allocate dedicated federal funding to expand and upgrade parking infrastructure nationwide.

Another priority was protecting the right to work independently. The women stood firmly behind the Modern Worker Empowerment Act, which defends the status of independent contractors across multiple industries, including trucking.

“The trucking industry has given me a fulfilling career and helped me support my family,” said Dee Sova, America’s Road Team Captain. “That’s why I’m passionate about encouraging more women to pursue the same opportunities. Women In Motion has allowed me to uplift others and strengthen this incredible industry. Earlier this year, I had the honor of standing with the President at the White House to voice trucking’s support for the One Big, Beautiful Bill—an unforgettable moment. It was also rewarding to share my perspective with Members of Congress and White House officials on how to better support women in trucking.”

Conversations That Matter

During their time on the Hill, WIM members had face-to-face discussions with lawmakers, including Reps. Mike Bost (R-IL), Rick Larsen (D-WA), Mike Collins (R-GA), Kevin Kiley (R-CA), Tom Barrett (R-MI), and Zach Nunn (R-IA). They also met with Deputy Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling and participated in a breakfast with Reps. Claudia Tenney (R-NY), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), and Jen Kiggans (R-VA).

These meetings weren’t just ceremonial—they gave lawmakers a direct window into the lives of working women in trucking and helped solidify bipartisan support for several transportation-focused bills.

WIM members also joined the House Education & the Workforce Committee to mark the passage of the Modern Worker Empowerment Act, introduced by Rep. Kevin Kiley. The bill aims to ensure that individuals in the trucking industry—and beyond—can continue operating as independent contractors without interference.

Image Source: WIM
Source: The Trucker

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Understanding Women’s Experiences in Trucking

“We’re thrilled to launch this groundbreaking survey focused on the experiences of women in the trucking industry,” said Sarah Rajtik, ATA COO and co-chair of WIM. “While designed to highlight women’s perspectives, we welcome participation from everyone in the industry to help us gain a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities in trucking. The insights gathered will shed light on key issues, helping us drive meaningful change and create a stronger future for women.”

The survey aims to collect diverse perspectives from trucking professionals at all levels and roles. By gathering this input, WIM seeks to uncover best practices for attracting women to the industry and creating environments that encourage long-term career growth.

A Broad Approach to Meaningful Insights

Open to all non-driving contributors within trucking, regardless of gender, the confidential survey focuses on various critical aspects, including entry points into trucking and pathways fostering career retention. By drawing on a wide range of voices, WIM can develop a clear picture of both the challenges and opportunities affecting women in today’s trucking industry.

Survey responses will play a crucial role in shaping the future of WIM’s initiatives. The data will inform policy recommendations, guide the development of impactful resources, and help establish industry standards tailored to supporting women in trucking.

What’s Next?

The WIM survey closes on April 18, and participants have the added incentive of being entered to win a pair of AirPods, awarded to three randomly selected respondents.

If you’re part of the industry and want to contribute to this change, take the survey here: WIM Survey.

Source: Truckers News

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Honoring Excellence in Transportation

The inaugural honorees of the Women in Motion Recognizes Award are inspiring leaders from diverse areas of the trucking sector. These women have exemplified excellence, innovation, and dedication in their respective fields. The 2024 award recipients are:

• Alexandra Frye – ContainerPort Group

• Jennie Malafarina – Virago Marketing

• Bonnie Supan – Brenny Transportation

• Vanessa Villegas – Hippoz Express Inc.

• Tomika Willis – TDS Trucking, Training & Technology

• Laura Wilson – Lawrence Companies

“Women in Motion remains committed to building a supportive community for women in transportation. The WIM Recognizes Award embodies this mission, empowering women from all areas of the industry to foster inclusivity, pursue career goals, and break barriers,” stated Nikki Thomas, ATA Vice President of Industry Affairs. “Through this award, we’re creating new opportunities and celebrating the innovation these women bring to the industry, and I want to congratulate these first six winners on exemplifying what this Council is all about.”

Driving Innovation and Inclusion

The Women in Motion Recognizes Award highlights the strength and impact of women in trucking by spotlighting their contributions to innovation, leadership, and inclusivity. Honorees are selected by the Women in Motion (WIM) Board of Directors and are acknowledged for embodying the values of mentorship, progress, and diversity within the industry. Each recipient received a $500 award to support their professional development and career growth.

“These women proudly represent the future of trucking. By creating mentorship opportunities, advocating for women, and driving success in transportation, they are inspiring future generations and setting the standard across the industry,” shared ATA COO Sarah Rajtik. “Over the past year, we’ve been inspired by the innovative ideas we’ve seen, and we look forward to even more applications in 2025.”

Industry Support and Recognition

The Women in Motion initiative thrives with the support of ATA members and corporate sponsorships. “This award, and the other good work WIM is doing, would not be possible without the backing of ATA members. I want to express heartfelt gratitude to our corporate members for funding this initiative through their annual dues, and to our Founding Sponsor, FedEx, for their invaluable support,” added Rajtik.

This award signifies an ongoing commitment to fostering a more inclusive and empowered transportation industry, celebrating the women who continue to drive progress and innovation.

Source: Truckers News

Image: American Trucking Associations

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“FedEx is making significant strides in advancing opportunities for women within their organization,” said Chris Spear, ATA President and CEO. “We are fortunate to have their support and expertise as we work together to showcase the opportunities, they, and the entire trucking industry, are providing for women in the transportation industry.”

The Women In Motion program holds a dedicated mission in the transportation industry: to establish connections and empower women, irrespective of their level of experience, within the sector. Its vision is to create a supportive and nurturing environment where women can assist one another in navigating the challenges and celebrating the triumphs of their careers, as outlined in a press release.

Through the promotion of advocacy, mentorship, networking, and collaborative learning, WIM aspires to bring about transformative changes in the trucking industry, ultimately fostering a strong and inclusive community.

“This is an exciting day, not only for ATA but for our entire industry. The overwhelming response from our members affirms that we are in the right place at the right time, and we eagerly anticipate the journey ahead,” said Sarah Rajtik, WIM co-chair and ATA chief operating officer.

The collaboration is, “the next big step in WIM’s effort to champion the advancement of women in the transportation industry and promises to advance the council’s goal of delivering meaningful change,” according to the news release.

“For decades, the logistics industry has been male-dominated, but we continue to break that mold at FedEx; and thanks to ATA’s unwavering commitment to our industry and their aggressive advocacy, we are confident trucking is positioned to push for real change for women in the transportation industry,” said Lisa Lisson, senior vice president, Network Operations for FedEx Express. “Our missions and goals are seamlessly aligned, making it a natural decision to support ATA’s Women In Motion. We are honored and excited to be part of this initiative.”

Source: The Trucker

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Trucker Path’s original mobile app aided truck drivers in locating rest stops with all the necessary amenities. As the app has evolved, it’s expanded its offerings. The company is focused on comprehensively improving its services for women truck drivers, emphasizing facilities with good lighting, safe and secure bathrooms, and on-site personnel.

“Trucker Path was born to help drivers find truck stops – that was the very first functionality that we offered,” said Chris Oliver, Trucker Path’s chief marketing officer. “So, this just lined up perfectly.” This partnership aligns with the mission of Women in Motion, an initiative by the American Trucking Associations to promote and support the advancement of women in the trucking industry.

“This partnership between Women in Motion and Trucker Path is a way to address one of the persistent concerns women in trucking express — safety,” said Chris Spear, ATA president. He said that helping women drivers find truck parking facilities with safe and secure amenities, including well-lit parking, bathroom access, and on-site security, is essential in addressing a long-standing challenge in the industry.

The new feature on the mobile app allows users to indicate the various amenities a rest stop offers, including lighted parking, bathroom access, lounge areas with lighting, shower facilities with all-day access, laundry facilities with all-day access, around-the-clock maintenance, and on-site security.

“When we first had this conversation, it was like this is a perfect extension of what we already do,” said Oliver. Truck stops that get a checkmark in all seven of the amenities will be distinguished with the Women in Motion logo.

“This worked out perfectly because every dot on our map [is] a truck stop; we have details about that location,” said Oliver, as he expressed his confidence in this enhancement.

“We’re proud to announce this partnership here and are looking forward to continuing our important work to make the trucking industry safer and more inclusive,” said Sarah Rajtik, Women in Motion chairman.

 Source: Transport Topics

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