When people picture a truck driver, they often imagine a man behind the wheel of a big rig. But the history of trucking tells a different story. Women have been part of this industry for more than a century, helping move freight, break barriers, and reshape what the profession looks like.

One of the earliest pioneers was Luella Bates, who began driving trucks in 1918 during World War I. She worked as a test and demonstration driver for the Four Wheel Drive Auto Company in Wisconsin. At a time when very few women were operating heavy vehicles, Bates traveled the country demonstrating trucks and teaching audiences how they worked.

In 1920, she made history by becoming the first woman to receive a truck driver’s license in New York.

But Bates was only the beginning.

During World War II, women again stepped in to help keep the country moving while many men served overseas. They drove trucks, worked as mechanics, and helped maintain the equipment that powered the nation’s supply chain.

Today, women continue to make their mark across the trucking industry. From long haul drivers to safety directors and company owners, women are helping lead the industry into the future. Organizations like the Women In Trucking Association have helped create opportunities, mentorship, and recognition for women working across transportation.

Women are also helping change the culture of trucking. Their presence has encouraged companies to improve driver support, safety programs, and workplace inclusivity.

The trucking industry has always been about resilience, independence, and hard work. Those qualities are not defined by gender.

From pioneers like Luella Bates to the growing number of women driving today, women have helped shape trucking into the industry it is today and will continue driving it forward for years to come.