Women in Trucking: Laura Heggins-Strode

According to the Women in Trucking Association (WIT), increased demand for professional truck drivers has led more women to join the transportation industry. The National Transportation Institute (NTI) reports the percentage of female truck drivers is 7%, up from 6% in previous years. Tri-State fleet is over 34% female – an unheard-of rate of female Drivers in the industry! Although the women in transportation statistics are small, opportunities continue to grow. The open road is calling more and more women to become professional drivers.

Tri-State Motor Transit (TSMT) continues to be one of the top companies for women to work in transportation. With a focus on treating drivers with the highest level of dignity and respect every day, top drivers earn more than $100,000 a year, and 100% employer-paid health insurance offered – TSMT is known as the female-friendly carrier.

As TSMT celebrates all the hard-working women in the transportation industry, here is our Women in Trucking spotlight on Laura Heggins-Strode:

Question: How did you get into trucking?
Laura: There were layoffs from my previous employment. One day while at the unemployment office, they told me about a grant offered to pay for truck driving school. I went to the local college and took my SAT, passed, and went to truck driving school.

Q: What is your favorite aspect of driving a truck for a living?
L: I get to share it with my husband.

Q: How do you keep yourself entertained on the road?
L: Reading, audible, hanging out with my husband, talking to my dad and best friend, and social media.

Q: What advice do you have for women thinking about getting into trucking?
L: Make yourself more valuable and more money by getting all the endorsements on your license.

Q: What’s the best way to build relationships with other truck drivers?
L: Get out and mingle when you are at a terminal and social media.

Q: Do you have pets? Do you take them on the road with you?
L: I used to take my dog with me. She is retired now.

Q: What’s your favorite place to drive your truck? (And why)
L: City driving. It’s more of a challenge.

Q: How do you stay healthy on the road?
L: Stay away from fast food. Low carb. Walk as much as I can.

Q: What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not on the road?
L: Ride my motorcycle and work on my farm.

Q: If you weren’t a truck driver, what job would you love to do?
L: I would be a veterinarian.


Discover more about TSMT female drivers in this featured article.

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