KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Around 92% of truck drivers are men. Women make up just a fraction of those hauling freight. However, one Knoxville woman is starting her journey as a truck driver with a destination in mind.
"We drop loads, pick them up, and wait at shippers to be loaded and unloaded," Alisha Vasquez said. "I love my job because I get to see different places, and I don't have to pay to go see them."
She's been on the job for nearly a month. It's not an easy job. But for Vasquez, it's a perfect fit. So far, she has enjoyed seeing New York State and the countryside of Pennsylvania. For Vasquez, it's all about the journey. She has been through a lot.
"I don't think anyone wants to be an addict. They just end up that way," Vasquez said. "I struggled with addiction. And so I hit Rock Bottom."
She battled addiction for years, popping in and out of jail. Rock Bottom was where she met Jessica Inman, who was also at Rock Bottom due to her addiction, too.
"Me and Alisha met in jail. Now, we're more like sisters than anything," Inman said.
Together, this pair of best friends decided enough was enough.
"I hit my knees and I said, 'God, you know, have your way. Either, I'm going to get out and I'm going to kill myself doing these drugs, or I'm going to get out and I'm going to change,'" Vasquez said.
It was that moment where everything changed for Vasquez and the positive life change rubbed off on Inman, too.
"We both ended up getting into drug court together. That program really helped both of us. It's saved both of our lives. And then she got me into her halfway house," Inman said.
Knox County's Drug Recovery Court is an alternative approach to incarceration for non-violent offenders who may be struggling with addiction. Participants attend treatment sessions, get mentors, take drug tests and work toward goals of sobriety, family and employment.
"Jail and Knox County Drug Court basically saved my life," Vasquez said.
Drug court helped connect her to Hand Up For Women. According to their website, Hand Up for Women is a life-management and career-readiness ministry that works to bring dignity, self-confidence and hope to women who might otherwise remain trapped in addiction, abuse, poverty and despair.
Now, two years later, Vasquez is on a new journey with a new career and 18 wheels.
"It doesn't matter how Rock Bottom you are. You can start over at any point, and you can prosper and you can make something of yourself," Vasquez said.
Inman couldn't be prouder of her best friend.
"I know we met each other under bad circumstances, but something beautiful came out of it," Inman said.