Spotlight on Women in Rail

G&W U.S.

On Tuesday, March 8, G&W celebrated International Women’s Day with a special virtual program featuring a keynote presentation from Helen Newell, G&W board member and senior vice president for GIC Infrastructure, and a panel of nine women employees from across G&W U.S. who shared their experiences working in the male-dominated rail industry. The panel included Sheila Cain, freight claims analyst; Julie Eddy, assistant vice president of operations, Northern Region railroads; Allison Fergus, general counsel and secretary; Leila Ford, vice president of sales and marketing, Northern Region railroads; Kathi Harris, vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion; Ericka Kupiec, director of customer service; Kristy Siscoe, yardmaster, Arizona & California Railroad; Kimberly Thompson, vice president of sales and marketing, Southern Region companies; and Andrea Waldman-Sittman, signal maintainer, California Northern Railroad. Cain, who has worked in the railroad industry for more than 40 years, said one of the things she has learned through the years is to “never be afraid to work.” “Show them you can do it…that you’re not afraid to try,” she said. “Be comfortable in yourself. Have a skill in your hand and an education in your head.” Waldman-Sittman, whose work can often take her to places where she may not feel safe, said that the best advice she could give to women who are working in male-dominated industries is empowerment. “If you let your work speak for itself, it’s not too hard to earn the respect of those people around you,” she said. “And if you’re willing to crack a few jokes and take a couple your way, too, that sense of camaraderie is also very important.” She has taken self-defense courses since she was young and continues to train at a mixed martial arts gym. “While I know my co-workers have my back, there’s something about being able to carry yourself well, knowing you can trust yourself to take care of yourself,” she added. Fergus talked about how important it was for women to learn from the challenges they face in the workplace and the importance of supporting each other. “When I think about what we can do as an organization to break the bias, I think we have to look around the table, and we have to start speaking up about what we are seeing in the workplace,” she said. Newell, who has worked more than 20 years in the transportation, mining and infrastructure sectors across six continents, shared how she has helped to “break the bias” in male-dominated industries. #BreaktheBias was the theme for International Women’s Day 2022, with the goal of promoting a gender-equal world that is free

of bias, stereotypes and discrimination as well as diverse, equitable and inclusive. “My rule is if you can get three of any minority, and in this case, women, in a group setting, you’ve just got a different voice,” Newell said. “I’m not a psychologist, but my guess is this is because the group is starting to look like something we typically engage with outside the workplace. So, it just becomes less of an issue, and everyone has a view that is validly shared.” Panelists also shared the importance of mentors that have helped them in their careers. A recording of the program is available to watch on G&W’s intranet, Crossties.

G&W UK/Europe

For the third year running, more than 40 women from across G&W’s UK/Europe Region came together in person and via Teams to celebrate International Women’s Day. The event took place at the Shared Service Center in Birmingham and included presentations from Brookfield’s Becky Lumlock and world champion boxer and classical musician, Hannah Rankin, on their respective experiences breaking the bias. Health, Safety and Sustainability Director Louise Ward also took an opportunity to gain valuable feedback from frontline women on their requirements for a safe and comfortable range of women’s personal protective equipment (PPE). The team was aware of some challenges with existing PPE but now feels better equipped for future supplier negotiations. The Region also presented a check for £1,000 to Michele Ashton of the Railway Mission, which aims to provide support to anybody associated with or impacted by rail operations in the U.K. The event ended with a presentation of awards to the Region’s female Shining Stars who were nominated by their respective management teams and recognized across a range of categories.

From left, Michele Ashton of Railway Mission, and Glynis Appelbe, head of HR for G&W’s UK/Europe Region

G&W Canada’s women employees enjoy the International Women’s Day luncheon.

Several of G&W Canada’s women employees gather to watch a presentation from Canada Region President Rick McLellan.

Clare Antrobus, Rail HR Amy (Bessie) Matthews, Trainee Shunt Driver Anika Shenfield, Learning & Development Manager

Katie Cook, Cannock Senior Planner Sarah Welch, Business Manager Antonia Kulakowski, Head of Pricing & Commercial Performance

Congratulations to the winners of the UK/Europe Region’s female Shining Stars award: Kelly Emmerson - Route, Utilisation and Logistics Manager, Lauren Powell - Container Control Administrator and Anna Weis - HR Officer

G&W Canada

G&W’s Canada Region celebrated International Women’s Day on March 8 as women employees were invited to gather to listen to the panel and conference organized by the U.S. Human Resources team. At the Region’s headquarters in Montreal, a luncheon was held to thank and recognize all women employees. Sixteen women and five men attended, and about 40 people were connected virtually to listen to Canada Region President Rick McLellan’s presentation recognizing the work done by women in the industry and in the Region. Lunches were also organized on the Region’s railways to recognize and celebrate the work of women. “The G&W presentation was definitely the highlight of the day and such a wonderful tribute to the women of our company,” says Amber Watters, administrative assistant and marketing coordinator at Cape Breton & Central Nova Scotia Railway (CBNS). She adds, “All of the ladies were from different backgrounds and brought a different perspective yet united and empowered as women in a predominantly male industry.” n