A trajetória de Penha como uma das primeiras mulheres motorista de caminhão no Brasil

Abstract

This study aims to contribute to the deconstruction of social and cultural gender stereotypes by giving voice to a female truck driver from the 1960s in Brazil and examining her struggle for space in a context historically dominated by men. The outlined research problem is: What are the main historical aspects of Penha's journey, one of the first female truck drivers in Brazil? In response to this question, the overall objective is delineated to understand the key historical aspects of Penha's journey, as one of the first female truck drivers in Brazil. To achieve this, the following specific objectives have been set: to characterize women's entry into the Brazilian trucking job market; to identify the main challenges women faced in their integration into the cargo transport market in Brazil; to analyze the historical aspects of Penha's pioneering role as a female truck driver in Brazil. Discussing women's pioneering role as truck drivers in Brazil provides a fresh perspective on female involvement in this activity, contributing to the evolution of social thought, the understanding of generated impacts, and the breaking of gender stereotypes. This research is qualitative and exploratory in nature, involving the collection of primary data through unstructured interviews, following the life history methodology, specifically the life trajectory approach, focusing on a segment of Penha's youth. For secondary data collection, a bibliographic study was conducted to understand women's integration into the Brazilian job market, combined with documentary research that enriches this work by presenting Neiva Chaves Zelaya and Nahyra Schwanke, who played pioneering roles in the female transportation sector. The research revealed that the pioneering spirit of female truck drivers was fueled by a passion for driving and knowledge, while also emphasizing the important role of financial factors in some cases. These pioneers gathered the courage to confront unknown challenges, overcome prejudice, social disapproval, and assert themselves to shatter fragility stereotypes. Through resilience, they secured their place and earned the admiration of their fellow road companions.