Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/805422
32 | Overdrive | April 2017 Overdrive's MOst Beautiful Michele Dupre Hometown: Galliano, Louisiana Occupation: Company driver, American Eagle Years trucking: 30 Hauls: Trailer, equipment "I have been blessed with getting to see some of the most beautiful country that I never knew existed and the opportunity to share it with my children and family." Michele Dupre started driving 30 years ago. She was able to raise her two children on her own while maintaining her career. She's also powered through health issues, including back problems caused by driving, to keep on trucking. Regardless of her health, "she still gets up at the crack of dawn and cranks that truck up and chugs on down the road," says her daughter, Samantha. Dupre says self-care can be a bit of a challenge "without the amenities of home. I try to eat as well as I can on the road, which is next to impossible being on the go. I learned how to do a lot of improvising!" Even so, she knows what she does is meaningful, fulfilling work. "What is beautiful about female drivers is the confidence it brings out in us," Dupre says. "I myself feel a huge sense of accomplishment after each load is complete." Stephanie Klang Hometown: Fidelity, Missouri Occupation: Company driver, CFI Years trucking: 37 Hauls: General freight "I've learned over the years that a lot of drivers look and act angry. I tell them, 'Sweet pea, if you don't like your life, change it.' I say it with a laugh, and usually, I can get them to lighten up." This America's Road Team Captain served a 2013-14 term and has been trucking for 37 years. Stephanie Klang's early days were spent driving team, but she's been solo for nearly 30 years – solo, that is, except for her elderly tomcat, Fred, who has traveled most of her three million miles with CFI. Klang enjoys being a role mod- el for women and girls interested in a trucking career. She works with a Girl Scout Troop, speaks to high school classes, appears on safety panels and handles CFI's ridealong requests for media members and elected officials. Having had a hardscrabble life growing up, Klang says trucking is a way to become financially secure, the true definition of independence for women. "It's my whole world, and I make the most of it," she says. Rebekah Meadows Hometown: Henrico, Virginia Occupation: Owner-operator, leased to J Grady Randolph Years trucking: 15 Hauls: Oversized "It's hard to balance everything, but through sheer determination, hard work and the support of my family, I'm stronger than ever. My friends and loved ones see 'me,' and that's what makes me beautiful in their eyes." Heads swivel when the pint-sized trucker, Rebekah Meadows, steps out in front of her 2006 Peterbilt 379 with its 84-foot trailer stacked with an ultra-oversized 12-foot-wide load. She juggles family duties, including caring for a young daughter with special needs, her passion for horses and the sheer workload of hauling oversized freight. Meadows says it took courage to enter this contest because of serious facial scarring from cystic acne. But on the road, she's treated as one of the guys and is called "Hollywood" by her peers. Her husband gave her the nickname when he met her, saying he had never seen such a pretty trucker. Despite brutal surgeries to repair her facial scars and other health problems, Meadows finds joy in operating her horse farm, rescuing horses, running her trucking business and, after se- vere financial setbacks, preparing to make her last truck payment. Gretchel Ramos Hometown: McMinnville, Tennessee Occupation: Lease operator with Roadrunner Transport Years trucking: Four Hauls: Various windows, blinds, car seats "We're out there letting [young girls] know you can do anything you want, regardless of any stereotypical standards. I love who I am and what I do and hope to inspire other women to get behind the wheel." Gretchel Ramos always has been independent and able to focus on any task without constant supervision. "I decided to drive a truck to make more money and have more independence, the opportunity to be able to have more freedom," she says. Her goal is to own a few trucks. "If it's a larger fleet, you kind of lose touch," she says. "I'd like to do an all-female trucking compa- ny. I feel women take better care of their equipment than men. They're a little calmer, and it's like, 'OK, let's get in the truck, and let's go.' They're more safe." Owning her trucks and hiring other drivers also would help her lead others toward trucking. "I would like to inspire some people, maybe some women who are down in the dumps," she says.