Mavis Bobbitt

Years With Prime: 30

How did you get started driving?

My uncle had his own company. One day, I asked him to teach me, but he told me women don’t drive. I told him I’ll show him one day, and when I did, he was so proud of me.

What was it like being one of the few women drivers back then?

Well, there were three of us women learning to drive when I went to school in California. So I learned from guys and women, and it was okay when I was in school. It got harder when I got my CDL because I was the only woman solo on the road, and the guys really put me down. I finally told them to shut up and leave me alone.

What made you stick with driving when you faced so many hurdles?

It was what I wanted to do, and I figured in time, they’d come around and accept me. It took a long time but they did.

Do you think things have improved for women in this industry?

It has. Women are not treated the way I was treated when I came out. The men used to say it’s a man’s job, but I would say no it’s not. If I can do it, anyone can do it. I weigh 100 pounds, and I get it done. I’ve had several women thank me for opening the door for them. That makes me proud.

How did you get connected with Prime?

No one would hire me since I was a woman. I went looking everywhere, and I ended up at Swift and CR England. At CR England, there was a guy who suggested we team up and go to Prime. We made a good team, and when he said he was bringing me with him, Prime said, “Bring her on.”

Did you notice a difference in how you were treated once you were at Prime?

It didn’t matter to Prime if it was a woman or a guy driving the truck. And Robert’s mother always called me daughter. She just really loved all the drivers. She called all of us her kids. Even the other drivers and dispatchers were welcoming.

You didn’t know you’d won the 2023 Highway Diamond award until the moment your name was called at the gala, so what did that feel like?

This was the first time I’ve actually been to the Highway Diamond dinner. I usually stay out and run, but Steven Wray, my dispatcher, told me he wanted me in Springfield. I was the last one they called up on stage, and they started reading about the Highway Diamond winner and I thought it sounded familiar. I said, “What! She’s talking about me!” Steven just started laughing. They pulled one over on me for sure.

Shandricka Riddle

Years With Prime: 1

What inspired you to become a driver?

Getting my CDL has always been on my list. My dad is a trucker and my grandpa was a trucker. And before this, I was a single mom and I wasn’t making the money I wanted to give my kids a better life. I thought there has to be more out there. I want to do more. I don’t want to be the typical struggling single mom. So I got my sister on board and I told her I needed her support watching my kids while I drove. Honestly, I was scared because I didn’t know what would happen next.

It had to be hard leaving your kids for several weeks.

My kids are 7 and 9, and I’m on the road three to four weeks at a time. I have my days when I miss them a lot, and I cry, but I’m doing something for all of us. I’m creating a brighter future for all of us.

You’re almost done with your first year at Prime, so how has it gone so far?

It’s been great. My kids were excited about it, and they were even on the truck for a while. Now I drive team with my husband—we met through a TikTok live. This man is heaven-sent.

Yeah, your social media presence has been huge! How did you begin making content centered around your life in the truck?

Before I went to trucking school, I’d watch all these videos of women drivers on TikTok, and it was really motivating. I knew I was good at making content, so I figured why not make my own content about life as a driver. One of my first ones was when I was in TNT. I talked about my first truck stop shower. It was an immediate hit. My shower routine video got 480,000 views, and it took off from there.

What kind of feedback do you get from your followers?

My audience is mostly women who want to get into the industry. I hear from them all the time about how I’m inspiring them to get out there and try this. They’re part of my journey and get to watch me as I grow.

What advice would you share with others who might be considering trying driving? Change doesn’t happen overnight. You have to work for what you want, and if you really want something, tune out the ones who don’t believe in you and go after it. Otherwise you’re going to spend your whole life wishing and dreaming. Take the risk. In the end, it’s always worth it.

You haven’t even been on the road for a full year yet, and you’ve already been part of the Highway Diamonds gala. What was that like?

I felt loved and celebrated. I was in a room full of people who were cheering me on and supporting me. It was beautiful. One goal of mine is to be a motivational speaker, and me being able to sit in front of all those people and speak on stage was a first for me and it felt good. It gave me a glimpse into my future.

It seems like you always have a plan in mind, so what’s in store for you when you look to the future?

I tell a lot of drivers, especially women, if you come out here, have a plan. I didn’t plan to come out here and still be in a truck in seven years. I came out here to start my career and to get to know the industry. I have big plans, and I want to run my own trucking business one day.