Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/522363
50 | Overdrive | June 2015 T hree women have been named finalists in Overdrive's Most Beau- tiful contest, which recognizes female drivers who stand out for image and professionalism. Two rounds of audience voting, the first of which decided the top 10, narrowed the field from 86 nominees. The three will compete for first-place honors, which comes with a trip to The Great Ameri- can Trucking Show and a profile feature in Overdrive. The winner will be announced in late June. MOST BEAUTIFUL Where image meets the road Overdrive's Joanne Fatta: Sunrise Transport J oanne Fatta, 51, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, hauls produce full time as a company driver for Sunrise Transport while helping to train new drivers. Ray Gonzalez, Sunrise transportation manager, says the company re- lies on Fatta's evaluation of new drivers, but she also offers much more. Everyone knows Fatta is "not a quitter" and that she's dependable and conscientious of her work, Gonzalez says. Of more than 125 drivers at the company, she was named 2013 Driver of the Year. As a single parent, Fatta appreciates that Sunrise adapts well to her schedule and knows she sometimes needs to be home with her daughter. "Trucking can help women become independent and financially se- cure," she says. "Work hard, keep a good attitude, and you can achieve your goals." Just more than 15 years ago, Fatta and a friend were looking for a change of pace from their jobs. The friend went to a seminar that aimed to teach women about jobs dominated by males, one of which was trucking. Fatta got her commercial driver's license at truck driving school and within a month had an offer from the company where she still drives today. "I feel like a lot of women can say, 'If Joanne can do it, so can I,' " she says. THE TOP (in alphabetical order) 3 Fatta's 4-year-old German shepherd, Skye, accompanies her when she goes hiking, swimming, to the beach, to the bay, camping and boating. Erikalynn Graham: C.R. England E rikalynn Graham, 44, of Hendersonville, Tennes- see, is a safety ambassador for C.R. England. Safety Manager Marie Hunt says Graham's positive attitude is appreciated along with her driving credentials. "She's well- liked here," Hunt says. "She talks to other women, trying to encourage them to get into trucking." A former Driver of the Month, Graham also recently was named C.R. England's April Safety Ambassador of the Month. "I take pride in my safety record, my equipment and ap- pearance, and believe that beauty comes from the confidence that you get being able to support yourself," says Graham, who's driven professionally for nine years. "Trucking is my passion, and I have always been fascinated with it." Graham's passion doesn't stop at trucking, though. She also loves cooking healthy meals on the road, fishing with her son,