Antionette Flood
Steering Change
Antionette Flood’s Remarkable Rise Behind The Wheel
While the waste industry has traditionally been male-dominant, Flood and other women are on a journey to increase representation and make a powerful local impact.
Steering Change
Antionette Flood’s Remarkable Rise Behind The Wheel
While the waste industry has traditionally been male-dominant, Flood and other women are on a journey to increase representation and make a powerful local impact.
"I love my customers, they make my job, I feel like I am contributing to my community, I’m helping to keep it clean, I’m doing my part. "
Employee Spotlight
Truck driver is a gender-neutral noun. Yet most will think of a male performing the essential daily work of operating heavy-duty vehicles to collect people’s waste. Antionette Flood, a grandmother from Oakland, is determined to challenge the stereotype and inspire more women to drive. With a friendly smile and a bag full of toy trucks, she is steering change one stop at a time.
From as far back as she can remember, Flood always had a toy truck in hand and dreamed of driving a tanker truck for Chevron. She wanted to be a truck driver and made it happen. Flood fulfilled her dream over a decade ago, first as a long-haul driver and then as a tanker truck operator. Her adventurous spirit has taken her to traverse the landscapes and highways of every state in the country except for Alaska and Hawaii.
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I love the Bay Area, and I love talking with people.
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Making a Local Impact
While she loved driving the big rig, her passion for the open road was taking a toll. She missed her community and got tired of the solitude of driving alone and being away from home. “I love the Bay Area, and I love talking with people. On the road, there is no one to talk to,” Flood said.
Antionette Flood was ready to make a change without leaving her dreams behind. Four years ago, she was referred to WM by a friend as a way of driving forward her career while also staying local. Applying for the job, she affirmed, was the best decision she’s ever made. “I love my customers. They make my job. I feel like I am contributing to my community, helping keep it clean, and doing my part.”
Flood isn’t merely performing her duties. She is also playing a crucial role in helping WM lead the way toward a more diverse and inclusive future. The organization has pledged to enhance female representation behind the wheel and at all levels of its operations. Flood undoubtedly has emerged as a motivating figurehead in this undertaking. Named “Sanitation Queen” by her customers, she carries a bag of toy trucks to hand out to kids on her route. You will always find her smiling and waving from the cab of her truck when she is not taking a quick break to chat with a resident.
A Community Champion
As Oakland’s residential collection driver, Flood understands the significance of her job beyond what most people may realize. “Just ask anyone what happens when your trash isn’t picked up. It’s not good.” Imagine what your neighborhood would look like without every pickup driver’s hard work and dedication. As for the work hauling trash and organics carts, she said it’s all part of the love of her job. “Are you kidding me? It’s great exercise. I get like 32,000 steps in a day. When I started, I easily lost 30 pounds in the first month!”
Flood’s story embodies resilience, determination, and community impact. Her unwavering spirit challenges stereotypes with the same intention and dedication she delivers to her customers.
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