Escaping a Toxic Past
Shortly after completing her trucking education, Jess Graham drove her 18-wheeler to her ex-partner’s home in Michigan. She took her ten-year-old daughter with her, leaving behind an abusive relationship in pursuit of financial independence. However, this journey may also lead to a distancing from her loved ones.
Pursuing a Dream
In Arizona, another truck driver, Brandie Diamond, was seeking a change of pace. After 25 years of driving big rigs, she aimed to transition into culinary school and explore her passion for cooking. Yet, she grappled with a lifelong secret that weighed heavily on her mind.
Reflections on the Road
This week’s episode features two American women in the long-haul trucking industry who find new insights while navigating the roads ahead. Their narratives of solitude, freedom, and connection unfold within the confines of their trucks, prompting reflections on remote work and self-discovery: How can solitary moments during work help us understand our true selves and desires?
Additional Resources
To learn more about this topic, consider reading Anne Balay’s book, “Semi Queer: Inside the World of Gay, Trans, and Black Truck Drivers,” which delves into the lives of working-class queers. Additionally, look out for the feature-length documentary “Driver” by filmmaker Nesa Azimi, focusing on women long-haul truckers.
Stay Updated
You can follow Jess’ journey in the trucking world on her Twitter account. While this episode includes some classic trucking songs focused on men, check out songs celebrating women in the industry, such as “Truck Driving Woman” by Norma Jean (1968) and “Bad Mother Trucker” by Eric Church (2020). Furthermore, after decades of male-centric trucking films like “Smokey and the Bandit,” women truckers will finally feature prominently in their own thriller, “Paradise Highway,” set for release this year.
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