Some see old chauvanistic ideas die hard but much has changed gains cannot be ignored
By Ruza Zivkusic-Aftasi | March 8, 2013
With the International Women’s Day (IWD) upon us, some of the transport’s bold women speak of the progress made in the male-dominated environment and challenges they face despite the industry becoming more acceptable.
Transport Women Australia (TWA) Chair Pam McMillan, who runs D&P Haulage with her husband, says there are still some men out there who think transport is a ‘man’s world’.
She says equality is present in some areas, but not all.
“If I sign an email from myself it may not get answered but if I send it from my husband Doug’s name it gets a response,” McMillan says.
“Some men may address their comments to Doug even though I could be standing there with him and we run the business together.”
Many of the women she has met in the industry have expressed loneliness and find it hard to lead a balanced lifestyle.
“At the end of the day, we don’t close the door and go home forgetting about everything until we open for business the next day,” she says.
“We live and breathe our job and industry and we care about it.”
Nola Bransgrove, Director of family-operated company BransTrans,
says honest and open communication is critical and women should not take themselves too seriously as ‘nobody else does’.
“Be prepared to learn from others no matter how small you think they may be – you never know who could end up being your boss,” Bransgrove says.
“Your job is only what you do, not who you are; you are way more than that and you aren’t restricted by a job description, so dream big.”
The South Australian Road Transport Association (SARTA) President Sharon Middleton says there were hardly any women in the 1980s when she joined the industry.
“Now there is a strong presence of women holding down management roles within transport companies, sitting on boards and committees, running training programs, heading up marketing departments, managing compliance and developing IT,” Middleton says.
She believes the industry is challenging for both men and women but says there is a long way to go in achieving parity.
“I personally have never been a real woman’s libber as such because I do believe there are many tasks that are more suited to men, particularly with regard to physical strength. But having said that, women bring organisational skills, pride and professionalism that within a business as a team can make no end of difference.
“The knowledge of men that have been in the industry for decades and often following the paths of fathers and grandfathers is valuable but it needs to be used in conjunction with current work practices, laws and accreditation requirements.”
Former TWA director Jacquelene Brotheron says the industry’s image needs changing.
“The major issue is not from within but from other people when you say you work in the road transport industry,” Brotherton says.
“The image they have is not of someone like me. They are expecting blue singlets and tattoos.
“The majority of people employed are decent hardworking people; no different to anyone else. They are just trying to make a living and get home safely.”
Women in Trucking Association USA CEO Ellen Voie says still gets calls and emails from men who don’t think women should be in the trucking industry.
“For this reason I am more intent on making sure we add women and that they have a level playing field,” Voie says.
“Being a woman in the trucking industry means you are working with men who don’t always understand why you are competing with them, or working alongside them.
“When I became the traffic manager at a steel fabricating plant where carriers wanted my business, they tried to convince me with gifts instead of pointing to their level of service or freight rates.
“Although times have changed, there are still men who don’t appreciate what women can add in the industry but fortunately those men are getting fewer and fewer.”
To celebrate IWD, the Australian Trucking Association (ATA) is calling for nominations for its National Trucking Industry Woman of the Year Award.
Established in 1997, the award recognised women who have gone above and beyond to improving the safety, professionalism and viability of the road freight transport industry.
Jan Pattison, who won the 2010 award and works for the Queensland Trucking Association (QTA) is calling on people to make a nomination.
“Take the time to nominate a remarkable woman for International Women’s Day,” Pattison says.
“The International Woman’s Day recognises the contribution that women make to our society, inspires women and girls to reach for their goals and celebrates our achievements.
“The ATA award does the same thing. You’ll not only be recognised for the efforts of a woman in our industry; you’ll also help to inspire others.”
The winner will receive a one-week travel package for two to visit the Cummins factory in the US, courtesy of Cummins Couth Pacific.
The award will be presented at ATA’s Trucking Australia 2013 conference on June 21.
Nominations close on May 1.
For more information, visit www.truck.net.au/awards
