Driving Change: Why I Refuse to Stay Silent As A Trailera

With the help of an attorney at Legal Aid at Work, Laura Zuniga obtained funding from the TIME’S UP Legal Defense Fund to bring her case to court.

As a trailera; a female truck driver, I have learned that the road can be a lonely and sometimes dangerous place. I drive long distances, not just to deliver goods, but to make a living for myself and my family. But with every mile I cover, I encounter more than just traffic and weather; I face threats and harassment simply because I am a woman in a male-dominated industry.

When I first started driving, I was excited. The thought of hitting the open road, of proving that I could handle this job just as well as any man, filled me with pride. And I was honored to be earning more money to support my family. But my positive feelings quickly turned to despair. There were times I had to deal with unwanted advances from male colleagues at truck stops, or the so-called “jokes” about women being too delicate for this work. I remember one instance when I walked into a rest area, only to hear unkind remarks about how I should be “at home in the kitchen.” I could feel the anger and embarrassment start to come over me, but I didn’t let them see me break. I endured sexual assault in my truck from a fellow truck driver and yet I continued to work in the industry while speaking out about the experience to try and make sure it didn’t happen to any other woman.

The abuse from being a trailera goes beyond the detrimental things that I personally experience in day-to-day life, but also encompasses how women broadly are treated in this field. I have worked for over 10 companies since 2019, and each one has in some way or form cheated me out of my wages and treated me as less than human. The harassment I endured was verbal, physical, and sexual, and yet I was still expected to be grateful for the job and continue driving.

I keep my head high, not only for myself, but for my three daughters. I want them to see me as a strong role model, making a better life for them. The sacrifices I make go beyond the miles on the road. Every time I leave for a long haul, I leave my daughters behind, missing school events, their birthdays, and cherished holidays. My absence has affected our relationship in so many ways, like not knowing something as simple as the shows they love to watch or the daily struggles they face at school as they grow into teenagers. It’s one of the hardest parts of this job. I love my daughters so much, and missing out on these moments makes the distance even more painful. My sacrifice to provide an easier life for them has also caused me to sacrifice a life with them.

There were nights when I slept in my truck, door locked and eyes open, listening for every noise. I would lie there, wondering if it was really worth it, if the dream of driving across the country could ever outweigh the fear I felt sometimes. But each time doubt crept in, I reminded myself why I was doing this. It wasn’t just for me; it was for every Latina who dreams of working in an industry that tries to tell us we don’t belong.

I share these experiences because I know I’m not the only one. So many of us face similar challenges, whether on the road, in offices, or in any space that is traditionally dominated by men. The hardest part is that for so long, we’ve been taught to keep quiet. That we should be grateful to even be in the room.

When I speak out, I am not just speaking for myself. I am speaking for every woman who has felt unsafe in her workplace, who has questioned her own worth because of the way she’s been treated. I know it’s not easy. Each time I call out harassment or discrimination, there’s a part of me that fears the backlash. But I also know that if we keep quiet, nothing will change.

We need workplaces that respect us and keep us safe. In trucking, that means better policies, more awareness, and a commitment to confronting the deeply rooted sexism that still exists. It means creating an environment where women who dream of hitting the road know they can do so without fear.

So, to all my sister Latinas, this is my message: Don’t stay silent. Share your stories. Speak up when something feels wrong. Our voices are powerful, and we have the right to demand the respect and safety we deserve. Every mile I drive, every story I tell, is a step toward a future where we can all pursue our dreams without fear. I’ll keep driving forward, and I hope my journey inspires you to do the same.

Together, we can create change.