Louisville, Kentucky — Women in Trucking (WIT) presented its 2024 Drivers of the Year awards on March 22 at the Mid‑America Trucking Show, singling out three female operators for exemplary safety records and industry leadership.
The ceremony took place during the Salute to Women Behind the Wheel program, an event that spotlights the contributions of female commercial drivers across the United States. Recognizing women in a field that remains 93% male sends a clear signal to fleets, owner‑operators and aspiring CDL‑A drivers that talent and dedication matter more than gender. The awards also reinforce WIT’s mission to improve driver recruitment and retention by showcasing role models who break barriers.
Carmen Anderson of America’s Service Line logged 2.5 million accident‑free miles and earned the distinction of being the first woman named Driver of the Year by the Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association. Deb LaBree, who has been behind the wheel since 2006, drives for Castle Transport LLC under a Landstar lease and previously collected both Bronze and Silver Star of Quality honors from Landstar for consistent customer service. Jodi Edwards, a veteran of J.B. Hunt Transport Services with more than 25 years on the road, surpassed 2 million collision‑free miles and amassed a string of safety accolades that underscore her commitment to mentoring other women in trucking.
What This Means for Drivers
Fleet managers can point to these three careers as benchmarks for safety programs, using their mileage statistics to justify investments in driver training and technology. Owner‑operators seeking to differentiate themselves may leverage the publicity around WIT’s awards to attract more truck driver jobs that value a clean safety record. The recognition also gives OTR truck driver recruiters concrete examples of how mentorship and public‑facing advocacy can improve driver morale and reduce turnover, a critical factor as trucking companies hiring aggressively to meet FMCSA regulations.
Industry Reaction
WIT President and CEO Jennifer Hedrick praised the honorees, noting that each driver participates in ride‑alongs with legislators, regulators and industry leaders to illustrate the real‑world challenges faced on the highway. "Their visibility helps shape policies that affect every CDL‑A driver," Hedrick said. Across the sector, carriers are using the awards to highlight diversity initiatives, and driver advocacy groups are calling for more sponsorships that support women pursuing truck driver jobs.
Key Points
- Carmen Anderson reached 2.5 million safe miles and was the first female WMCA Driver of the Year.
- Deb LaBree has driven since 2006 and earned Landstar’s Bronze and Silver Star of Quality awards.
- Jodi Edwards logged 2 million collision‑free miles during a 25‑year tenure at J.B. Hunt.
- All three serve on the WIT Image Team, conducting ride‑alongs and media appearances to promote safety and gender equity.
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