Women In Trucking President/CEO Ellen Voie was recently invited to meet with United States Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood in Washington, DC. Also at the meeting was Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrator, Anne Ferro.

Secretary LaHood and members of his staff listened as Voie described some of the challenges facing women in the transportation industry and how the Women In Trucking Association is addressing those needs. Issues such as driver harassment concerns, safety and security on the road, using technology to reduce physical limitations and other topics were discussed.

Prior to the meeting with the Secretary, Voie and Women In Trucking Chairwoman, Leigh Foxall, spent time with Ferro and her staff to explore opportunities to encourage women to consider careers in typically male dominated fields.

"Many of the issues women in the trucking industry face are also concerns for women in mining, timber, construction, electrical and other blue collar fields," said Foxall. "Our goal is to reach out to these groups and find common solutions for common goals."

"I was honored to be invited to spend time with Secretary LaHood to share our initiatives with him," Voie said. "I was especially pleased with how focused he was on learning about the Women In Trucking Association and exploring ways that our programs support the Department of Transportation's objectives."

Voie was also invited to participate in the White House Council on Women and Girls Budget discussion with Valeria Jarrett, Senior Advisor to President Obama and Chair of the Council along with other Senior Administration Officials.