Emily Plummer’s story will make you believe in the incredible transformations that the trucking industry can bring. As a dedicated driver for Prime Inc in Springfield, Missouri, she has experienced a life-altering career path that goes far beyond just hauling freight.
Growing up in a tiny Arkansas town, Plummer always felt confined by its limitations. Determined to break free, she eagerly joined JROTC in high school, dreaming of enlisting in the military as her ticket to a brighter future.
When graduation arrived, however, Plummer encountered an unexpected hurdle: her parents’ consent.
“(My mom told me, ‘If you want to go in the military, you will have to wait until you turn 18,’” she said.
After turning 18, Plummer secured a job in a factory, earning a respectable income. Despite this, she found herself unsatisfied.
“I didn’t want that. I didn’t want to be in a small town all my life,” she said. “There had to be more out there, I just knew it.”
After about a year, Plummer relocated to Texas with her father, once again settling in a small town. It was there that a truly transformative experience unfolded right before her eyes. She vividly remembers a trucker, parking alongside her and her father, and her fascination with trucks was instantaneously ignited. Without hesitation, she approached the truck’s owner and requested a glimpse inside.
“From that moment on, I knew what I wanted to do. I wanted to be a truck driver,” she said.
Discovering the perfect opportunity seemed almost destined when she stumbled upon a recruiter’s advertisement seeking truck drivers for multiple top-tier carriers.
“I did the application, and four companies told me no. There weren’t many female drivers. If there were, they were with their husbands,” she said. “Thinking back, I could’ve gotten a no because I was a woman, but I can’t verify that.”
Feeling lost and unsure about her future at the age of 20, a glimmer of hope appeared when Prime Inc. reached out to her. They suggested that she pursue a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). Determined to make a change, Plummer took on the challenge.
With the support of her father, she embarked on rigorous training sessions for pre-trip inspections, using his trusty old Cadillac as a practice vehicle.
“It helped me get an idea of what I was going to do,” she said.
After obtaining her CDL, Plummer was delighted when Prime provided her with a bus ticket to Springfield, Missouri for their driver training program. The rest, as they say, is history – Plummer has proudly served as a driver for Prime for 28 years, celebrating her anniversary on June 18.
From her childhood, Plummer has always carried the belief that giving back is crucial.
“My mom instilled in us to give back,” she said. “The military was something I could do to give back to the country. I realized that driving a truck is another way to give back.”
Plummer not only plays a crucial role in the nation’s supply chain but also contributes to her local community. Along with her husband, they generously support her alma mater’s football team by supplying food and refreshments to the players during games.
“I had one of the young men ask me, ‘Why did you come back to make sure we were fed at football games?’” she said. “I always tell them that I didn’t have that when I was growing up. It’s always good to return to your community. As long as you have touched one person, that’s all that matters. That’s it,” Plummer, affectionately nicknamed “Aunt Emily” by the young men, expressed with a smile.
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020, numerous businesses were forced to close their doors or adapt to remote work. However, the trucking industry did not have the luxury of such options. With steadfast determination, truck drivers persisted in delivering essential goods like food, medical supplies, and merchandise, gaining newfound recognition and praise from a nation that had previously disregarded them. Truckers became the heroes of the time, receiving enthusiastic cheers, heartfelt thank-you signs, and even food to support them on their journeys.
“My husband and I knew this career came with being unappreciated, but we still wanted to do it. When COVID first hit, we knew that America needed us, so we couldn’t think about ourselves,” Plummer said. “I think the general public realized how important we are to them. We felt appreciated. We enjoyed all of the thank-yous we received on the road.”
Regrettably, the public’s appreciation for truckers was short-lived.
“Once COVID became unimportant to the public, things returned to what they were,” Plummer said. “They don’t understand the sacrifice that comes with being a trucker. We drive for five months at a time and see so many things that range from one extreme to another. They don’t see us missing the sporting events, birthdays, and graduations. They don’t see that we skip physical and mental health care.”
Plummer and her husband have learned to appreciate their downtime, choosing their comfortable bed at home over the bunks on their truck. During this time, they focus on getting rest, spending time with family and friends, and attending important doctor’s appointments to make up for the lack of care on the road. When they are away, Plummer relies on FaceTime or Facebook Messenger to stay connected with loved ones.
Although Plummer prefers to stay in the background and excel at her job, her efforts have not gone unnoticed. In the past year, she has found herself in the spotlight not once, but twice.
Every year, Prime holds a Highway Diamond Gala to honor its female drivers and selects one driver as the Highway Diva of the Year. When Plummer heard her own name being announced during the biography reading, she was surprised by the recognition.
Winning the Highway Diva of the Year award at Prime served as motivation for Plummer. She was later informed that she would be nominated for the TCA’s 2023 Professional Driver of the Year.
She recalls being shocked and saying, “Why would you do that? I won’t win it.”
Plummer was aware that two male drivers from Prime Inc. had won the award in the past, and they had over 30 years of experience. Plummer doubted that the trucking industry was prepared for a female driver to win – but she was wrong.
While braving a winter snowstorm in Nebraska, Plummer received a call from Prime.
“He asked me what I was doing and told me I needed to pack my bags,” she said, adding that the caller told her she had won a spot as one of TCA’s Professional Drivers of the Year and would be traveling to Orlando, Florida, for the awards ceremony during the association’s 2023 convention.
Plummer was left speechless and overwhelmed with emotion. The impact of that phone call validated all the hard work and dedication she had poured into her career and personal life. It wasn’t until her arrival at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando, however, that the reality truly sunk in.
“It was such an honor. I met the other four winners, who are all amazing people,” she said. “I know I work hard out there, but I just do my job. I don’t look for anything extra; I don’t go out of the way to put myself out there to be recognized. I just work.”
Source: The Trucker
Photo: Truckload Carriers Association
