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LRW Announces 2021 Scholarship Winners: Oana Cantacioiu, CP and Kamillah Ealom, BART

Washington, DC, October 1, 2021League of Railway Women (LRW) announced today the winners of its two annual scholarships. 
Washington, DC, October 1, 2021League of Railway Women (LRW) announced today the winners of its two annual scholarships. 

Oana Cantacioiu, Specialist Car Maintenance Planning, CP, was awarded the $3,000 USD, Connie Sumara Memorial Scholarship. Oana is pursing an MBA at the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary. CP is a LRW platinum corporate partner

“I am honored to receive the Connie Sumara Memorial Scholarship award,” said Oana Cantacioiu. “I am inspired to be a part of the League of Railway Women community and to be surrounded by strong female leaders. This award provides motivation to work hard and continue to grow as a leader with CP. I am grateful and excited for future challenges and opportunities in this dynamic rail industry.”  

This scholarship honors the memory of former LRW President Connie Sumara, a LRW founder and longest-serving president, and seeks to encourage women who are pursuing graduate or undergraduate degrees to further their careers within the rail industry.

Kamillah Ealom, System Service Worker, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), was awarded the $1,000 USD, Future of Railroading Scholarship. Kamillah is completing a Masters of Transportation Management at Mineta Transportation Institute.

“I applied for the LRW Future in Railroading scholarship to help my future career goals in becoming a superintendent in my department at BART,” said Kamillah Ealom.

The Future of Railroading scholarship is awarded to a student pursuing a graduate or undergraduate degree with an interest in supporting the rail industry. 

“The rail industry is thriving thanks to the contributions of women like Oana and Kamillah,” said Crystal Gitchell, LRW Scholarship Chair. “Pursuing a post-secondary education while working full-time and balancing lives, families and responsibilities, especially amidst a global pandemic, is a feat! We hope that these scholarships help bring our winners closer to achieving their dreams." 

The LRW would like to thank all of this year's applicants for their impressive submissions and encourages them to apply again next year for these annual opportunities.

For more information about the LRW scholarship program, please visit www.railwaywomen.org/scholarship

For further information: Media Contact: Emilia Marceta, LRW Chair, Public Relations & Outreach, E-Mail: info@railwaywomen.org; LRW Scholarship Contact: Crystal Gitchell, LRW Scholarship Chair, E-Mail: scholarship@railwaywomen.org.

About Us
Founded in 1997, the League of Railway Women (LRW) is committed to improving the railroad industry by connecting and cultivating women in rail. Our mission is to advance the representation, recognition and opportunities for women, thereby promoting diversity and improving the business results of the railroad industry. Learn more at www.railwaywomen.org; follow the LRW on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

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