Women In Trucking calls for nominations: 2024 Distinguished Woman in Logistics Award
The Women In Trucking Association, Truckstop, and Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) are seeking nominations for the 2024 Distinguished Woman in Logistics Award.
"We are proud to recognize the talents and passion of women leaders in the logistics industry not only for their career accomplishments but their desire to grow future leaders as well," said Jennifer Hedrick, president and CEO of Women In Trucking.
Supported by Truckstop and TIA, the award is open to high-performing women in any field related to logistics, including supply chain management, third-party logistics, and trucking.
"In an industry dominated by men, it is important to acknowledge the impact women have on the trucking industry," said Anne Reinke, president and CEO of TIA. "Since its inception, this award recognizes the accomplishments and hard work of women in this industry, and we are proud to be a continued partner in celebrating their achievements."
Among the members of the award selection committee are representatives from WIT, Truckstop, TIA, and academia. The DWLA 2024 winner will be announced at TIA 2024 Capital Ideas Conference & Exhibition in Phoenix, Arizona, on April 12.
To nominate a candidate, complete and submit the nomination form on WIT’s website. Nominations are due Feb. 12, 2024.
Trucking Cares Foundation welcomes new Founders Club members
The Trucking Cares Foundation (TCF) recently welcomed two new members to its Founders Club: Great West Casualty Company and Groendyke Transport.
Founders Club donors are individuals and corporations that are committed to making a donation of $100,000 over a period of 10 years. Members of the Founders Club receive special recognition across Trucking Cares Foundation programs for their early and generous contributions.
“Because of the support of Great West, Groendyke, and all of our Founders Club members, the Trucking Cares Foundation is able to provide critical support for important causes in the U.S. and around the world,” said John Lynch, president of the Trucking Cares Foundation. “Their contribution allows TCF to respond quickly when needs arise as well as make ongoing contributions to important causes throughout the year.”
Goodyear mascot tire art tradition continues at the 88th Cotton Bowl Classic
Goodyear recently welcomed Ohio State University's Brutus Buckeye and University of Missouri's Truman the Tiger to its lineup of art sculptures handcrafted annually for the 88th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.
Collectively, these Goodyear tire-fabricated sculptures stand between six and seven feet tall and weigh 385 pounds. It took Blake McFarland, Goodyear's commissioned tire artist and former minor league baseball player, 392 hours over 19 days to handcraft these sculptures from more than 280 Goodyear-branded tires and 24,000 hidden staples.
This will be the first time Mizzou's Truman the Tiger will be immortalized with a tire art sculpture commissioned by Goodyear. Brutus Buckeye will be featured for a second time, with his first tire art appearance occurring at the 82nd Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic in 2017.
"We look forward to honoring both the Missouri and Ohio State football teams through tire art sculptures for the eighth year at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic," said Ryan Waldron, president, North America Consumer for Goodyear. "First introduced in 2015, these tire art sculptures quickly became a fan-favorite tradition that celebrates the hard work and dedication that drove each team's journey to the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic."
Ford fights transportation insecurity
Ford Motor Company Fund, the company’s philanthropic arm, recently invested $5 million in mobility solutions focused on addressing transportation insecurity in Ford’s hometown communities. One in four Americans lack access to safe, reliable, and affordable transportation options, which limits their ability to access essential services and economic opportunities.
Through partnerships with over a dozen nonprofit organizations, Ford Fund is helping bridge the gap between transportation-limited communities and access to resources and services, including health care and fresh food. Community partners include United Way of Southeastern Michigan’s “Ride United” program and Feonix - Mobility Rising, a nonprofit organization focused on removing transportation barriers in under-resourced communities.
“Feonix is honored by the opportunity to work alongside the Ford Motor Company Fund to address transportation barriers to social determinants of health in urban and rural communities,” said Valerie Lefler, Feonix executive director and founder. “This investment will provide not only life-changing impact locally for residents but also establish data and mobility service insights that can be expanded across the nation.”
Ford Fund is investing $600,000 in Feonix - Mobility Rising to support the launch of three new mobility programs in two Ford communities. In Detroit, a “Grocery Express” program will provide transportation services to and from local grocery stores, expanding access to food for 200 Detroiters each week. Additionally, an “Access to Care” pilot will provide rides to and from medical appointments for Detroit-based maternal health patients. In West Tennessee, Feonix - Mobility Rising is developing a new Transportation Assistance Hub that will connect individuals to existing transportation resources and establish new mobility operations to meet rural community needs in Stanton and the region.
In Michigan, 38% of households struggle to afford basic needs like transportation. Ford Fund has committed $250,000 to support the Ride United program to help Detroiters regain suspended driver’s licenses, make needed car repairs, acquire a vehicle, access on-demand rides, and integrate with broader United Way supports.
Truckers Against Trafficking hosts training sessions
In preparation for National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, Truckers Against Trafficking Deputy Director Kylla Lanier, along with Joy Friedman, a survivor-leader and founder of The Missing Peace, conducted a four-hour training for 200 frontline workers in Paris, Illinois.
Later that evening, they shared practical ways to help lessen vulnerabilities in a community in order to safeguard people from traffickers and other exploiters with a group of 50 community members.
“Trafficking is just as much of an issue locally as it is nationally,” said Officer Doug Cochran of the Kansas Police Department in Illinois. “We’re trying to get boots on the ground and keep everyone informed. Not only is this a real issue, but it’s a growing issue for our area as well as the state of Illinois. This is more than a law enforcement issue; it’s an issue for all citizens to become aware about and get involved.”
