Meet Sue Peña: A Journey to Trucking Success

“Hola, mi gentes!” This translates to “Hello, my people!” Sue Peña greets her TikTok followers in a lively series that documents her journey to becoming a professional truck driver. Originally from Brooklyn, New York, but now residing in central Arkansas, Peña embraces her Puerto Rican and Taino Indian heritage.

Although she wasn’t raised in Puerto Rico, Peña stays connected to her roots. “We are a proud culture known for our hospitality, often offering food to others, even if they aren’t hungry,” she remarked. Her background includes culinary expertise, having graduated from culinary school in New York in 2007. “I even had a chance to appear on ‘Hell’s Kitchen,’ but as a single mother, I couldn’t leave my young son Nicolas behind,” she added, noting he is now a supportive 20-year-old in the National Guard.

During her 30s, she set her sights on becoming a professional driver, but it took nearly a decade before she acted on that dream. By the time the team from The Trucker Jobs Magazine met her in July 2022, she was balancing multiple roles as a forensic technician and EMT while taking night classes at Diesel Driving Academy in Little Rock. By October, she had successfully completed her training and passed the driving portion of her CDL exam, earning hazmat and tanker endorsements.

“My biggest hurdle was believing in myself, especially starting this journey later in life at 44,” Peña shared. “While I had confidence in signing up, I often questioned whether I could handle the demanding training. Watching other women in the trucking industry inspired me; they motivated me to think, ‘If they can do it, so can I!’” With supportive instructors and peers, she gained both skills and confidence throughout her training at DDA.

As a woman entering a male-dominated field, Peña faced additional challenges. “I had to stay ten steps ahead due to my gender, ethnicity, and height,” she humorously noted. Her confidence was bolstered by her female instructors, such as Ms. Kat and Ms. Rachel, who inspired her on tough days. “If it weren’t for women like them, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” she said.

Peña recalled several memorable milestones, including her first solo drive across the practice pad. “Feeling the truck move and knowing I was driving made it all real. It was exhilarating!” she described. While excited for her new role, she recognizes that the road ahead will present new challenges, ones she’s eager to face.

In offering advice to aspiring drivers, Peña stated, “Whether male or female, follow your passion for trucking. If this is what you truly want, pursue it with commitment and sincerity.”