I am a company driver for a local produce company and have been driving for Sunrise Transport for 15 years. I am out on the road five days a week driving and delivering produce to the tri-state area.
I came on board with no experience, fresh out of driving school. For many years, I was the only female driver. Earning the respect of my fellow male drivers took some time. I had to prove myself it seemed and it wasn’t always easy, but I kept at it. I earned the respect of my fellow drivers by working hard and never giving up.
Being on the road as a female has its ups and downs. I am a very personable individual, so dealing with the customers on a day-to-day basis was the easy part. At first, there were alot of stares and comments good and bad. It seemed as though I was put on a stage for others to watch. I just tried to remain focused on completing my job and learning how to back my trailer into some of the craziest places. Now 15 years later I can just about put my trailer in anywhere. The doubt I could succeed is long gone and now I am considered, without ever being too confident, one of our top drivers.
In 2009 I decided to take a part-time position with a local driving school. I wanted to advance my career and possibly teach full-time at some point. My company learned of this driver training job I had and offered me a position at my company training their new drivers coming aboard. So, for about the past three to four years I have been training new drivers for Sunrise Transport. I generally am assigned the rookie drivers right out of driving school since my experience at the driving school was with new students.
In February 2014, I was awarded driver of the year for 2013. I now have my name on my tractor. This is a wonderful honor to be awarded this honor. I am the first female to ever receive this award. I also serve on the accident review board where we review all accidents that occur with our fleet.
I can honestly say I never thought this is where I would be at this point in my life. It has been a bumpy road with a breast cancer diagnosis in November 2013, added to life’s difficulties. I fought through this struggle all last year with tons of doctors visits, surgeries and radiation treatment. This ordeal has helped me see life in a much different way now. I now live my life for each day as I never know what tomorrow will bring. I am a fighter, a survivor and I plan on keeping up the fight, enjoying life and making a difference.
I know the women I have trained and interact with on road know if Joanne could do it, so can I! Thats what its all about. The feeling I get when I see a trainee succeed. I know I helped them to get there. How gratifying …
Submitted by Joanne C. Fatta
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
from Overdrive http://ift.tt/1NyrAgy
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