Polaris Transportation Group has officially launched the Polaris Women’s League — an initiative borne from the vision of late highway dispatcher Pam Lambe, who dreamed of creating a safe, inclusive space for women at the company.
The idea was first raised several years ago during one of Polaris’ virtual “hot chocolate hours,” informal social gatherings the company hosted to support employee morale during remote work. This is according to Laura Muir, Polaris’ chief human resources officer, who told trucknews.com that during one such gathering, Lambe suggested having women-only meetings to talk openly about topics like health, home life, and mental wellness.
“She said, ‘How great would it be to have just the women, where we could talk about health and just generally, have a free space to speak?’” Muir said. “She passed some time ago last year, and I wanted to launch this in her memory. She would be so happy.”
Launched on International Women’s Day this March, the League’s inaugural event — a tea party held both in-person and virtually — drew unexpectedly high turnout and overwhelming enthusiasm, she adds. Polaris followed the launch with an internal survey, in which 100% of respondents said they wanted to learn more about women’s health.
Since then, the League has evolved into a dynamic, employee-led initiative offering quarterly formal events and a range of ongoing activities that have branched out since. These include a book club, movie club, a walking group that meets weekly — and sometimes daily — during warmer months. Muir says there was even a discussion about general auto mechanics, sparked after someone asked how to check tire pressure and change a tire.
The conversation came up casually during one tea party, after Muir mentioned she had low air in her tires. Several women said they didn’t know how to check or refill them. That led to plans for Polaris’ driver manager to attend an upcoming session to give a hands-on demonstration of basic auto maintenance.
This is just one of the examples of how the League can organically respond to women’s real-world concerns.
“It’s just really brought us all together,” Muir said. “I’m seeing departments such as our dispatch department, our HR department, you know, we’re all working alongside with people we wouldn’t regularly work with, or chat with. So it’s really nice.”
Topics that have resonated the most with attendees include menopause, mental wellness, work-life balance and navigating family life. Women in the group have swapped meal prep tips, discussed parenting, and shared wellness resources, including information from Polaris’ community partners and benefits providers.
Polaris is also partnering with its benefits broker to host educational sessions on menopause in the workplace this fall.
Enabling the league with company-wide allyship
Muir emphasized that the League’s success wouldn’t be possible without company-wide support — including from male colleagues and leadership. Managers across departments have encouraged participation, and men at the company have even stepped in to cover duties so women can attend.
“I will praise the men at Polaris because of the allyship and the support they’re giving us,” Muir said. “It really does tighten the family of Polaris.”
As Polaris welcomes new hires, Muir hopes the League will serve as a lasting reminder of Lambe’s legacy and a model for fostering genuine connection and support at work.
“Polaris isn’t just the employees…In Pam’s case, her sister was an extension of her. Our whole families become part of this,” she said recalling the times of Lambe’s illness, adding that Muir and the team stayed in close contact with her sister. Even now, as the League continues to grow, it has created a stronger sense of community among Polaris employees. Women are more involved in each other’s lives — checking in when someone is sick, supporting and celebrating each other, Muir said.
