Status of Women
The logistic sector is still a male dominant sector even though there has been a rise of women in the business world. An estimated total of 125 million people work in the logistics industry but women only make up one to two percent of the workforce. According to Infografic, the Logistics Industry has the highest percentage of male graduates, 65% of the graduates are male and 35% are women. Within the logistics and supply chain industry, only 20% of the management positions are occupied by women. A recent Supply Chain Management Review article demonstrates that 5% of the top-level supply chain positions are filled by women, compared to 15% of executive officer positions at the same companies.
Celebrating Women in the Industry
Companies are trying to re-dress the gender imbalances in the industry and more and more women are joining the logistics and supply chain companies at all levels. It is time we learn more about the role of women in logistics, and put faces to the names of these remarkable women. The six women featured below have risen, made strides and have also created opportunities for other women to do the same.
1 – Ellen Voie
Insights Success magazine named Ellen Voie- who is the president and CEO of the magazine- one of the “30 Most Inspirational Leaders in Business.” The White House honored Voie as a ‘transportation Innovator and Champion of Change’ in the year 2012.
Voie is the founder and CEO of ‘Women in Trucking’ which is an organization which aims to encourage the employment of women in the trucking business. Women in Trucking hosts an Annual Award ceremony for women, it also creates a platform for women to network with each other and become more knowledgeable about the industry.
2. Judy R. McReynolds
Not only is ArcBest Corporation a multi-billion-dollar company and one of the biggest logistics companies, it is also under the leadership of a remarkable woman, Judy R. McReynolds. McReynolds joined ArcBest in 1997 as the Director of Accounting. She has been the Chief Executive Officer of ArcBest since the beginning of 2010, and has an impressive track record of over 26 years of experience in the industry.
3. Jacqueline O’ Donovon
The Managing Director of O’Donovon Waste Disposal, Jacqueline O’Donovon, started creating her strides at age 19. Read an article by Anna Isaac where O’ Donovon opens up about how difficult it was to be taken seriously in the industry as a young woman. On top of that, she also had to deal with the pressure of following in her father’s footsteps. However, she is proud of the fact that O’ Donovon Waste Disposal has grown and has a turnover of more than £19m.
4.Ann Drake
Ann Drake has been in the logistics sphere since the 1980s. Drake is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DSC Logistics, and is the first (and only) recipient of the ‘Council of Supply Chain Management and Professionals’ Distinguished Service’ Award. She is the founder of AWESOME—Advancing Women’s Excellence in Supply Chain Operations, Management and Education. This is an organization which acknowledges that there is a need to create more opportunities for women in the Logistics sphere. AWESOME provides a platform for women to network, work together and assists in the career progression of women through providing scholarships and resources.
5.Shelley Simpson
Shelley Simpson is a recipient of the 2016 Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) “Capital Ideas” Award. She received this award at the Conference and Exhibition in San Antonio. Simpson is also the executive vice president, chief marketing officer and president of Integrated Capacity Solutions and Truckload for J.B.
6.Elizabeth Dole
In 1983, Elizabeth Dole became the first female Secretary of Transportation. Dole was known for working with MADD-Mothers Against Drunk Driving. MADD advocated or advocates for people to use seat belt. Mothers Against Drunk Driving also collaborated with various manufacturers to encourage the installation of airbags in new cars.
The Way Forward
Women are certainly breaking boundaries, they are entering work spaces that were (and still are) dominated by men and that’s something worth celebrating. Let us continue to encourage women- especially younger women- across all boarders to join those who have made strides, let us constantly remind them that their gender should not define or determine what they can or cannot do. Read an article by Nicole Lewis on how to encourage and draw more women into the Logistics field.
SOURCES:
Women in Logistics Leading Top-Level Supply Chain and Logistics Operations:
https://cerasis.com/2017/08/07/women-in-logistics/
Infografic: https://morailogistics.com/infographic-the-status-of-women-in-the-logistics-industry/
Telegraph Connect: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/connect/small-business/as-a-19-year-old-woman-hard-to-be-taken-seriously/