34 Oregon Trucking Association, Inc. Oregon Truck Dispatch Women in Trucking, cont. Mona Chisum – TP Trucking When Mona Chisum started driving log trucks in the Rogue Valley in 1990, she was the only lady driver she knew. She got her CDL, and they put her in a log truck that same day and while it took some time to prove herself, she was quickly accepted into the male dominated world of trucking. “I couldn’t have asked for a better group of guys,” said Mona. “In the very beginning, the guys would stand back to make sure I could really do the job and that I could really drive the truck. It was only a month maybe until I was treated like their little sister. They gave me advice and took me under their wing. It was like I had 29 big brothers.” She’s since served as a safety director, learned the ins and outs of over-the-road refrigerated freight, and today works as a driver supervisor for TP Trucking. She says her experience helps her day-to-day interactions with drivers. “A lot of times, the drivers we get don’t know that I have experience driving,” said Mona. “I find that if I give them some info about my background, they start listening to what I say. I’ve lived their jobs, so I know exactly what I’m talking about.” Mona’s advice for women who want to get into trucking is to make sure you know and can perform the job and if you can’t, ask for help. “The men lose respect for the women drivers if they’re not willing to perform the job duties like they are,” said Mona. “I have always asked lady drivers to make sure you can do the job. Make sure you know what you’re doing. There’s no shame in asking for help but attempt the job first. You don’t grow as a driver unless you’re willing to try the hard things. You must challenge yourself or you won’t ever excel.” “The men lose respect for the women drivers if they’re not willing to perform the job duties like they are,” said Mona. “I have always asked lady drivers to make sure you can do the job. Make sure you know what you’re doing. There’s no shame in asking for help but attempt the job first. You don’t grow as a driver unless you’re willing to try the hard things. You must challenge yourself or you won’t ever excel.”
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