Documentary Explores Women’s Experience in Trucking
Jessica Sanders never considered becoming a truck driver until she found herself behind the wheel. “I love driving; it’s always been a way for me to express myself,” she reflected, noting her life as a single mother of four boys. “Traveling was something I always dreamed of, but I didn’t see truck driving in my future.”
Sanders is featured in “Drive Like A Girl,” a short documentary highlighting women’s experiences in the traditionally male-dominated trucking industry. Directed by Samantha Calicut, a local journalist and graduate student from the University of Arizona, the film provides insight into the unique challenges and triumphs faced by female truck drivers.
“It’s vital to discuss these issues now,” Calicut stated. “Though we’ve progressed, stereotypes still linger about who can be a ‘truck driver’.”
After relocating from Chicago to Tucson in 2021, Sanders traveled around the country, even taking a brief trip to Louisiana in 2022, which ignited her passion for long-distance driving. “Sometimes you need to change your surroundings to gain a new perspective,” she explained. “I wanted to explore the world — why not do it this way?”
However, the journey to becoming a truck driver was not straightforward. Sanders sought out the right training and tuition support, reaching out to the One-Stop Center in Pima County, which helps adults navigate career changes.
Sanders ultimately decided to enroll at the HDS Truck Driving Research Institute, known for its “Ladies Night” events aimed at aspiring female drivers. It was there that she met Calicut, who was gathering material for her Capstone Project, her first documentary.
“I wanted to craft a documentary that would convey an important story,” Calicut recounted. Inspiration struck at a job fair while discussing Arizona’s unemployment rate. She discovered the event for female drivers at HDS and saved their flyer.
Months later, she revisited the flyer and realized it was the story she wanted to tell. Collaborating with experienced director Elvio Anderson, she aimed to create a polished film, capturing the essence of women’s experiences in trucking.
“I had a clear vision from the start,” Calicut shared. After pitching her idea to Anderson via phone and meeting at a Ladies’ Night event, they began filming, speaking directly with drivers about their motivations for entering the industry.
Early on, they embarked on an extensive 16-hour drive with Bae Callahan, one of their interviewees, transporting medical supplies. “It was a lot of guerrilla-style filmmaking—spontaneous and raw, but it all came together,” Calicut said.
The goal was to authentically portray the lives of female truck drivers, encompassing not only joy and camaraderie but also moments of isolation and unease. “I wanted to challenge existing stereotypes; there’s a lot of diversity among these drivers, many of whom lack a support system,” Anderson stated.
They also aimed to convey the significance of trucking. “Every possession we have has been on a truck at some point,” Calicut emphasized. Each woman in the film shares a desire for independence that differs greatly from typical desk jobs. “Every woman we encountered had reinvented her life and embraced it fully,” she added. “It’s profitable, freeing, and allows for travel. There’s this misconception that you have to stick with one career forever.”
For Sanders, the independence she found as a truck driver is invaluable. “The road is the best teacher,” she said. “You’re alone in your decisions, and that’s part of the journey.”
Calicut and Anderson spent seven months crafting the documentary, which they completed in May 2025. “It was incredibly difficult but deeply rewarding,” Calicut remarked.
Sanders obtained her commercial driver’s license from HDS in January 2025 and began her new job just a few months later. “My kids motivate me every day,” she said. “Never give up. There will be obstacles, but if this is your goal, pursue it.”
Calicut and Anderson are preparing for a special premiere of “Drive Like A Girl” in May and are considering distribution options. Until then, the film can be viewed at their website.
“I hope this film encourages more women to enter the industry, showing that they have options,” Calicut expressed. “Society tends to box people in, but here we can challenge those stereotypes.”
