CELEBRATING WOMEN IN FREIGHT
Luella Bates
Luella Bates stood out in the 1920s as the first female truck driver, breaking gender barriers in the freight industry. She became a celebrated figure for safely driving a 3-ton truck nationwide, promoting the viability of women in freight during an era when their roles were heavily restricted. Her legacy paved the way for future generations of women in transportation.
Edwina Justus
Edwina "Curlie" Justus trailblazed as Union Pacific Railroad's first African American woman locomotive engineer. Overcoming the rejections due to her race and gender, she rose from a Traction Motor Clerk to an esteemed engineer in 1976. Despite facing intense discrimination, including a cross burning on her lawn, she courageously led locomotive operations in Nebraska, skillfully transporting essential goods and exemplifying resilience in the face of adversit
Lillie Elizabeth Drennan
Lillie Elizabeth Drennan holds the distinction of being the first licensed female truck driver in Texas and the whole of the United States. In 1929, after her divorce, Drennan became the sole owner of Drennan Truck Line. She managed her company for almost 24 years, during which she maintained an exemplary safety record, received numerous safety awards, and gained recognition for her dynamic personality and strict yet effective management style.
Ramona Hood, President and CEO, FedEx Custom Critical
"The transportation industry is looking to become more diverse and as a member of this industry I want to remember this,"
Ramona Hood started her career at FedEx as a 19-year-old receptionist. And in 2020, she was elevated to CEO of one of the company's most high-stakes lines of business after decades of climbing the ladder in her current division at FedEx's brokerage unit.
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