Women’s History Month

SPRINGFIELD, VA (March 29, 2023) - The next time you call AAA for Emergency Roadside Service, there’s a good chance that a woman will come to your rescue.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, women made up only 1.4% of the automotive repair industry in 1999. However, in 2022, the number of women in automotive repair rose to 12%.

There are an estimated 31,514 tow truck operators currently employed in the United States. However, only 3.4% of all tow truck operators are women.

As Women’s History Month winds down, AAA is highlighting the increasing influence of women in the automotive industry. Last year, AAA Mid-Atlantic, which is part of the AAA Club Alliance (ACA), the third largest club in the AAA Federation, saw an increase of more than 20% in the number of women hired for car care and automotive repair, compared to 2021. The auto club also saw a jump of more than 35% in the number of women hired for our Fleet Operations, including tow truck drivers.

Mobile Battery Technician, Lisa Alberti for AAA in Virginia recently celebrated her 16th anniversary with the organization. Lisa is enthusiastic about her job and says she enjoys assisting AAA Members and working with her colleagues. “I love coming to work. It’s like working with family,” she said.” Lisa attributes her success and longevity at AAA to her ability to put herself in the Members’ shoes. “I came to the job with little knowledge of Roadside Assistance, but I came to the job with empathy, which is why I believe I’ve been so successful,” Alberti added.

Women in leadership roles at ACA include the Vice President of AAA Car Care Operations and the Vice President of AAA Innovation, which means women are not only impacting the industry today, but they will continue to do so for years to come.

“We have seen a significant increase in the number of women filling roles traditionally held by men,” said Christin Joyner, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at ACA. “It is exciting for me to see these opportunities for women unfolding every day, and of course, it is great for our organization and our Members as well.”

Many women are transitioning from other careers to AAA and are finding the experience to be particularly rewarding. Brenet “Bre” Carmichael has been with AAA for two years and operates a light service truck, changing flat tires and jumping batteries at the roadside in Virginia. Prior to starting her career at AAA, she was a supervisor for a charter bus company. Brenet welcomes the challenge of her job and finds it rewarding. “I love being able to help people,” she said. “When I show up and people are distressed, I like being able to resolve their issue and put a smile on their face.” Bre has been met with skepticism on occasion though, especially when men she has assisted question her ability to change their tires. “That’s probably one of the things that really motivates me,” she said. “I like a challenge and every car is different. Women can do anything.”

While Women’s History Month provides a unique opportunity to honor women, AAA celebrates women and their contributions every day. Interested in a career at AAA Mid-Atlantic? Learn more about job openings in roadside assistance, car care, travel, insurance, membership, retail and many other departments here. Like Bre said, “It’s not just a man’s job.”