Women Driving Change: The Growing Impact of Women in Freight Transportation
Published by Stingray Expedite | August 2025
The freight transportation industry is experiencing a remarkable transformation. As we navigate an era of technological advancement and evolving business practices, one of the most significant changes isn't found in new equipment or software—it's found behind the wheel, in corporate boardrooms, and across every level of logistics operations. Women are reshaping the freight industry, bringing fresh perspectives, exceptional performance, and leadership that's driving measurable results across the sector.
The Numbers Tell a Powerful Story
The statistics surrounding women in freight transportation reveal both progress and opportunity. Eight percent of truck drivers are women, marking the seventh consecutive annual increase. While this might seem modest, it represents consistent upward momentum in an industry historically dominated by men. The impact becomes more pronounced when examining leadership roles. The 2024-25 WIT Index survey found a substantial number of women in influential leadership roles. Approximately 28% in CSuite/executive positions are women, 34.5% in supervisory leadership roles are women, and 29.5% of those who serve on boards of directors are women. What's particularly interesting is how company size affects female driver representation. According to this year's WIT Index, micro/small companies with less than 500 employees report that 12.5% of their overall professional driver population who hold CDLs are women. Large/medium enterprises with 500 to 4,999 employees report that approximately 10.5% of their overall professional driver workforce who hold CDLs are women. Giant/major enterprises with more than 5,000 employees report that approximately 7% of their truck driver population who hold CDLs are women. This trend suggests that smaller, more agile companies like Stingray Expedite may be better positioned to attract and retain female drivers—a competitive advantage worth leveraging.
Breaking Down Barriers, Building Up Performance
The challenges women face in freight transportation are well-documented, but so are their solutions and successes. 83% of women enter the trucking industry due to encouragement from a friend or family member, highlighting the importance of community and referral networks in recruiting efforts. Safety remains a primary concern, with research indicating that sexual harassment — a primary barrier to growing the number of women working in trucking — goes unreported as much as half the time because victims do not believe reporting incidents will make a difference. However, forward-thinking companies are addressing these challenges head-on, creating safer, more inclusive work environments that benefit everyone. The results speak for themselves: women in trucking typically demonstrate superior safety records, lower insurance claims, and higher customer satisfaction ratings. Their attention to detail, communication skills, and professional approach to customer service align perfectly with the premium service standards that expedited freight requires.
Leadership That Drives Innovation
Women aren't just entering the industry as drivers—they're ascending to leadership positions where they're driving innovation and operational excellence. Women are becoming increasingly crucial in logistics and supply chains for several reasons. Firstly, they bring a valuable skillset. The industry thrives on organization, planning, and meeting tight deadlines–areas where women often excel. Additionally, women bring diverse perspectives that can spark innovation and improve problem-solving in a complex global network. This diversity of thought is particularly valuable in freight brokerage, where problem-solving, relationship management, and operational efficiency are paramount. Companies that embrace gender diversity often find themselves better equipped to navigate complex logistics challenges and deliver superior customer experiences.
The Technology Advantage
Modern freight operations increasingly rely on sophisticated technology platforms—an area where women are making significant contributions. From transportation management systems to AI-powered route optimization, women in logistics technology roles are helping shape the digital transformation of freight transportation. At Stingray Expedite, our advanced TMS platform represents the kind of technology-forward approach that attracts diverse talent and enables superior operational performance. When women bring their skills in systems thinking, process optimization, and user experience design to logistics technology, the entire industry benefits.
Economic Impact and Business Case
The business case for increasing female participation in freight transportation extends beyond social responsibility—it's about market performance and competitive advantage. More than 55% of North American truckers believe that trucking is a safe industry for women to work in, indicating growing industry acceptance and support.
Companies that successfully recruit and retain women drivers often report:
Lower turnover rates
Improved safety statistics
Enhanced customer satisfaction
Stronger company culture and team dynamics
Better financial performance
The Stingray Expedite Advantage
As a technology-driven freight brokerage platform, Stingray Expedite is uniquely positioned to lead in creating an inclusive, supportive environment for women in freight transportation. Our 15% premium compensation model, 48-hour payment processing through StratoPay, and focus on driver satisfaction create conditions where all professional drivers—regardless of gender—can thrive. Our commitment to operational excellence, technology leadership, and premium service delivery aligns with the strengths that women bring to freight transportation. By fostering diversity at every level of our organization, we're not just doing the right thing—we're building a competitive advantage that benefits our drivers, customers, and investors.
Looking Forward: The Road to Parity
The freight transportation industry stands at an inflection point. With total truck tonnage will rise from an estimated 11.27 billion tons in 2024 to 13.99 billion tons in 2035, the industry needs all available talent to meet growing demand. The continued advancement of women in freight transportation isn't just about equality—it's about industry sustainability and growth. Research organizations like the American Transportation Research Institute are actively studying barriers faced by women drivers and developing strategies to overcome them. This research was identified as a top priority by ATRI's Research Advisory Committee to address workforce shortages, safety concerns for women drivers, and identify steps the industry can take to increase the percentage of women drivers.
A Call to Action
The data is clear: women are making significant contributions to freight transportation at every level, from the driver's seat to the C-suite. Their impact on safety, customer service, operational efficiency, and innovation is measurable and meaningful. For companies like Stingray Expedite, the opportunity is substantial. By continuing to create inclusive environments, competitive compensation packages, and growth opportunities, we can attract top talent regardless of gender while building a more diverse, capable, and successful organization.
The women driving change in freight transportation aren't just breaking barriers—they're building bridges to a more efficient, safe, and profitable industry. At Stingray Expedite, we're proud to be part of that transformation, creating opportunities for all drivers while delivering exceptional value to our customers and investors.
Ready to join a freight brokerage that values diversity, performance, and professional growth? Learn more about driving opportunities with Stingray Expedite, where technology meets opportunity and every driver is valued for their contribution to our success.
Contact Stingray Expedite today to explore how our platform can accelerate your career in freight transportation.
