Celebrating Women in Logistics.

Each year International Women’s Day celebrates the achievements of women worldwide and highlights the plight that many women face in the fight for equality.

A survey held by Gartner in 2020 discovered that in a study of 177 supply chain professionals (from North America), 17% of Supply Chain Officers are female. This is a 6% increase from 2019, but there is still a long way to go. The supply chain industry is slowly changing, but the industry needs to elevate women to key positions and prevent women and trans people from being held back.

To deliver the best results, you need the best team in the industry with a wide range of skills. For this, a diverse, inclusive team will be able to offer a broader perspective. Today, we celebrate Elaine and find out why she chose the logistics industry.

What’s your favourite thing about working for asembl. logistics?

Working for a forward-thinking, supportive company that realises employees are their greatest asset, every day is different, no two days are the same!

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

It is a day we should all pause and reflect and celebrate what women have achieved. It is also a day to remind ourselves to continue to uplift, support actively and motivate one another so that we can achieve equal representation and a voice in a male-dominated environment.

 
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Why do you choose to work in the logistics industry?

I have always found logistics interesting and wanted to be a part of it. I wanted a new challenge; it is an industry reliant on teamwork, and you need to have a variety of skills. Many of the skills I learned in previous roles were transferable, which really helped when I entered the industry. Since then, I have picked up many more! I can see why the industry may seem daunting to some women, but it is important to understand that current industry perceptions are not always accurate; in my experience, being a woman has never been a factor. In my experience, being a woman in logistics isn’t an issue, and I encourage other women to join the industry.

Who is/are the women that inspire you?

Emily Pankhurst – Was the leader of the suffragette movement, who helped women in the right to vote. She was a symbol of courage and strength for all women; by standing up for her rights and beliefs, we wouldn’t have made the advancements we have.

Rosa Parks – Her acts of defiance in 1955 are inspiring. When Rosa refused to give up her bus seat to a white man, she believed in freedom and that we should all be treated the same. Rosa faced many challenges in her lifetime and is a huge part of the history of equality and diversity.

My Mum – Has been the most significant influence in my life; she taught me how to be independent, set goals and be a strong woman. Through positive and negative times growing up, I have used every experience as a life lesson and something to grow from.

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What advice would you give to the women of tomorrow interested in the supply chain industry?

Don’t be intimidated that most of the industry is male. From what I have seen, a woman that wants to make it in this field is just as capable of doing this as their male counterpart!

We want to encourage more women into the logistics and supply chain industry, so if you have any questions about whether it could be the path for you, don’t hesitate to get in touch. We all need to work together to ensure the world is a more diverse, inclusive, and equal place for everyone.