A North Carolina woman who owns a trucking company and driving academy is launching a non-profit aimed at providing more opportunities for single moms to join the industry.
The founder, Katrina Dailey, became a truck driver in 2016, and in less than a year, she had her own company, Legacy Truck Driving Academy. Dailey credits her determination as a young single mom of three for her desire to now help other women become financially independent through truck driving.
“I chose trucking because it’s fun, very lucrative, and it’s an industry that’s growing,” said Dailey to WRAL.com.
The non-profit, HER Legacy, NC, will launch this August on Wesleyan Boulevard in Rocky Mount. It will offer resources, like connecting drivers with childcare centers, for working single mothers with children who are 17 years and younger.
While many truck driving jobs require weeks away from home at a time, Daily says moms who complete her training will receive an 8-5 job at her company.
“If would have had this as a young mom – being a mom at 17 years old in high school – I know I would have made different decisions,” she said. “But it was necessary for me to go through this so that I could be an example for other mothers to let them know that you can still do it.”
“It’s not for everyone,” she admits, “But this is why we bring you in and coach and counsel you in the beginning to make sure that you have clarity as to what it is that you want to do.”
Dailey hopes to change the negative perceptions that women might have about the trucking industry, and prove that it is successful career path for moms.
“When I first decided to go into it, I was thinking ‘men,’ the ‘dirty men,’ you see what I’m saying? Because that’s what we always saw. There are lot of women that are going more into the industry that look very much like me, that are mothers, that are wives, that are sisters and friends,” she said.
Dailey already has women enrolled in smaller classes. Stacy Tucker is one of her first students, a single mom of four who works long overtime hours at a convenience store.
“It feels like a weight has been lifted off of me, to know in my mind and in my heart to know what I wanted to do,” says Tucker, “And then have someone placed in my life that can show me the ropes and guide me.”
“Being able to take trips, vacations, and knowing that when we get home the bills will be paid, you still got a roof over my head food, on the table. It’s a good feeling.”