Girls Can’t Be Truck Drivers

Posted by: gretchen on February 2, 2008 |

Trucker PhotoMy grandpa was a manager for Yellow Freight trucking and I recall spending an occasional Saturday visiting the terminal when grandpa got called in to handle some unexpected business. I got to sit at his desk and sometimes he’d let me use the CB radio and pretend to be the dispatcher. Check out the photo (click to enlarge it) of me in his Yellow Freight trucker’s hat and with a big button pinned to my shirt that read “I like trucks”. So it is no surprise to find this written in my memory book:

When I Grow Up

Yup, that’s what I wanted to be in the second grade. On all the other years I listed multiple careers, but in the second grade I was apparently focused on driving a semi. I was so into trucking that many of my childhood photos show me in a Trucker’s cap and I knew the meaning to this saying which hung on my grandpa’s wall:

“Seville, der day go. Tousin buses innarow.
Nojo, demstrux, summit cowsin summit dux.”

So to honor my trucking history, I created the Girls Can’t WHAT? trucking design in the colors of the Yellow Freight company, with the Girls Can’t WHAT? initials on the side of the trailer.

Truck Driver Design

Support your favorite female trucker with Girls Can’t WHAT? trucker gear. This design is available on T-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, hats tote bags and more in the Girls Can’t WHAT? shop.

Trucker Tote BagTrucker HatTrucker Shirt

Comments

9 Responses to “Girls Can’t Be Truck Drivers”

  1. Kel1 on February 2nd, 2008 1:48 pm
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    OMG, that design is so freaking CUTE! :D I love it!
    Great story, too. ;)
    My grandpa didn’t drive a semi, but he had a CB radio in his truck and I liked to mess with it. He also had an 8-track tape player (Kenny Rogers and Marty Robbins were usually playing), so that will tell you how old I am. :)) I recall the wonderful days of the 8-track.

  2. gretchen on February 2nd, 2008 2:54 pm
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    I still have a couple of 8-tracks. ;) They are both “Carpenters” albums and I don’t even know if they still play. I bet I could sell them on ebay along with some of the records I still own. My dad played a lot of Mel Tillis, Merle Haggard and the Oak Ridge Boys, etc. Good times. ;))

  3. cieva on February 6th, 2008 7:29 pm
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    That is a very cute picture of you as a child. I would support my little one in an instant if they professed the want to drive trucks, so good for you. What does that saying mean anyway?

  4. gretchen on February 6th, 2008 10:44 pm
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    I don’t know what it means really - I just now how to interpret it…

    “Say Bill, there they go
    thousand buses in a row”

    “No Joe, them is trucks.
    Some with cows and some with ducks.”

    Trucker speak. ;)

  5. Pamela Febbo-Lougheed on March 4th, 2008 3:06 am
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    Finally someone else other that me is standing up for your rights, who should we be bare foot and pregnant slaving over a hot stove for the men. I’m like you it was my dream as a child to become a trucker and every man in my life put me down and told me that it was a mans job. Look I am not afraid to get my hand dirty. Good site keep up the good work.

  6. gretchen on March 4th, 2008 8:42 am
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    Hey Pamela - glad you like the design. Would you be interested in being interviewed for the site?

  7. Pamelafemaletrucker on March 4th, 2008 10:52 am
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    Hey Gretchen I love this site, us women have got to stick together, and a interview any time. Lets get-er-done.

  8. graham crofts on April 21st, 2008 7:58 am
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    im a truck driver articulated and ide love a girlfreind who understands what it is to be a truck driver ide love her to come with me im 35 nottingham england can you help me thanksbabe x x x

  9. Pamela Febbo-Lougheed on April 21st, 2008 6:40 pm
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    This a reply to the gye that wrote about having a girlfriend that understands about being on the road, i too am a truck driver that understands and have had my relationship fail cause of me being on the road. I know that it is hard to find someone that will be there for you either at home for a short time or on the road to make money to bring home. I know you are from England and I live far from you, in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada. If you ever want a friend to talk to give me a ring my ears are open. Email me at pamelafemaletrucker@gmail.com.

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