The Edward W. Erkel Memorial Scholarship seeks to encourage and support African American women and raise their representation in the transportation industry. Out of a population of 3.5 million truck drivers in the U.S., less than 6% are women, and even fewer women of color, according to data compiled by the American Trucking Associations (ATA).

The Edward W. Erkel Memorial Scholarship honors a veteran bus and truck driver who devoted his career to advocating for passenger safety and the well-being of all long-haul drivers.

Ed Erkel grew up in Pittsburgh’s Mt. Washington neighborhood and operated an independent local hauling business as a young man. He later hauled stone and other materials for Magnotti & Son, Inc., a longstanding company in Pittsburgh’s South Hills.

After working as a long-haul truck driver, Ed turned his love for driving toward passenger travel as an interstate bus operator. He joined Trailways in the early 1960s, driving their famed Silver Eagle coach designed and built by the German manufacturer Kässbohrer. Ed often worked the “extra board” which meant a regularly changing schedule and destinations. He would also accept charter assignments that had him dedicated to a group for several weeks or longer.

In 1965, Ed received a charter assignment from Motown Records to take the Motortown Revue — the name given to the package concert tours of Motown artists in the 1960s — on tour. Among the artist on board were The Four Tops, The Temptations, Martha & The Vandellas and a fifteen-year-old Stevie Wonder.