It takes a heavy dose of courage to go out on your own and make a life for yourself. For many, the volume of “what if”s and “what about”s is enough to keep them in their comfort zone, never venturing out, never exploring what all is possible.
But that’s not Wanda Billups. She wanted a life where she was in charge, not someone else. It was a risk, but one that paid dividends.
Watch Wanda share her story here
“Trucking has afforded me some nice things. I can take care of my family, buy a home, be in control of my time – I love to travel – I can take time off when I want,” Billups says. “I don’t punch a clock. I buy my time. I do what I want.”
More than just independence, trucking gives Billups something else: peace of mind while seeing the country.
“Trucking’s afforded me the ability to see this whole country. The ins and the outs. Grabbing the open road, you go places you never would’ve gone,” said Billups. “Driving gives me peace of mind. It takes me out of my traditional element. I get to think in my truck. It’s soothing – I get to calm my mind and just think.”
As we celebrate Women’s History Month, let’s acknowledge the women of trucking just like Wanda Billups, who are out on the road in the driver’s seat of their lives, not sitting shotgun. Maybe it’s best if we let Wanda sum it up herself:
“You know, when I started, there wasn’t a lot of women in the industry. I started way back in 2000. It’s hard work, but it’s doable – you know, females are resilient. We find a way to do everything. It’s touching to see so many of us now building legacies for our families. Women – we out here, trucking!”
Watch Wanda share her story here
