The Ryder Charitable Foundation, which directs charitable giving and support on behalf of Ryder System, Inc., in four strategic pillars – expertise, innovation, safety, and community collaboration – today announced its $25,000 donation to the Women In Trucking (WIT) Foundation, affiliated with the non-profit organization Women In Trucking Association, Inc. As part of Ryder’s giving strategy supporting expertise, this gift will help educate the next generation of transportation professionals by providing student scholarships.

“Ryder is taking the lead in drawing more women to the transportation industry, at a time where the industry needs to grow the pool of qualified diesel technicians and professional drivers,” said Patrick Pendergast, Group Director of Recruiting Services, Ryder. “Together with the Women In Trucking Foundation, we are able to make technical education more affordable for women who are striving to make a career in trucking a reality.”

In March 2016, the Ryder/WIT Foundation Scholarship was awarded to five recipients who are working toward careers in the trucking industry. A check in the amount of $1,500 for tuition and fees was given on behalf of each student to the technical school of her choosing. This year’s initial scholarship winners are:

  • Corinna Carter – enrolled at the University of Memphis in Memphis, Tenn.
  • Heather Dodson – enrolled at Chesapeake College in Wye Mills, Md.
  • Wanda Lee-Ann Edwards van Muijen – enrolled at Professional Transport Driver Training School in Winnipeg, Man. in Canada
  • Susan Murphy – enrolled at Midwest Technical Institute in Springfield, Mo.
  • Shanna Waters – enrolled at Ogeechee Technical College in Statesboro, Ga.

“When I first found out that I was going to receive the Ryder/Women In Trucking Scholarship Award, the timing could not have been better,” said Ms. van Muijen. “As a mother of three and going to school, it is definitely tough to make ends meet at home. It is because of this scholarship program that I am able to complete my course, and provide for my family at the same time.”

“We greatly appreciate the Ryder Charitable Foundation’s generous gift as it has afforded the Women in Trucking Foundation’s ability to increase the number of scholarships awarded this year,” said WIT Foundation Chair Debora Babin Katz of TrucBrush Corporation. “The positive impact which these awards offer in the lives of women who wish to forward their careers in transportation and for the industry is immeasurable.”