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Women on Track: Tank Car Edition

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Women on Track: Tank Car Edition Brings Rail Professionals Together for Connection, Growth, and Inspiration

There’s something special about bringing together women from across the rail industry to talk openly about their experiences, challenges, and aspirations. That sense of connection was at the heart of Women on Track: Tank Car Edition, co-hosted by the League of Railway Women (LRW) and the Association of American Railroads (AAR) during the AAR Tank Car Committee meeting on October 20 in Dallas.

Moderated by Hira Khalid, Assistant Manager, Tank Car Safety Engineer at AAR, the session brought together an exceptional group of leaders: Shundrekia Stewart, Vice President, Sales, Downstream and Chemical at Trinity Industries; Yasmin Ara, Director, Train Operations Practice at RailPros; Amy Hamilton, Mechanical Engineer and Senior Manager at Trinity Industries; and Emily Spears, Manager, HazMat Compliance at BNSF.

The conversation covered much more than career milestones. Panelists shared the winding paths that brought them to rail, the lessons they've learned along the way, and the moments that helped build their confidence and shape their careers. They spoke candidly about navigating the complexities of the industry, finding mentors and advocates, and staying open to opportunities that may not always be part of the original plan.

Reflecting on the event, moderator Hira Khalid shared:

“It was wonderful bringing women together to share experiences, learn from one another, and build meaningful connections during our Tank Car Committee meeting week.”

Her words perfectly captured the spirit of the session. The room was filled with thoughtful discussion, shared experiences, and genuine connections among professionals representing many different corners of the rail industry.

Events like Women on Track remind us that some of the most valuable opportunities for growth come from learning from one another. We are grateful to our panelists for their openness, to our attendees for their engagement, and to our partners at AAR for helping make this event such a meaningful experience.

We're already looking forward to the next opportunity to continue the conversation and strengthen the community of women shaping the future of rail.

#LeagueOfRailwayWomen #WomenInRail #WomenOnTrack #RailIndustry

CN Delivers a Memorable Experience for LRW Members in Homewood, Illinois

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A heartfelt thank you to CN for hosting LRW at the impressive Homewood Training Facility and Harris Mechanical Shop in Homewood, Illinois.

Despite challenging weather conditions, the CN team went above and beyond to deliver an outstanding experience, guiding our group through a variety of cutting-edge simulators and providing valuable insight into their operations.

At LRW, our events are designed to foster networking, education, and professional development, and this event delivered on all three in an exceptional way.

A special thank you to Jasmine Manley and Stacey Lyons for being incredible LRW hosts, and to the entire CN team who truly knocked every aspect of the event out of the park. Your dedication, hospitality, and commitment to creating a meaningful experience did not go unnoticed.

We are incredibly grateful to CN for pulling out all the stops to ensure our visit was both inspiring and memorable. Thank you for your partnership and support of the LRW community.

View photos here.

Congratulations, 2026 Scholarship Winners

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The League of Railway Women is pleased to announce and congratulate our 2026 scholarship winners. We’re proud to support their achievements and dedication to the future of the rail industry, and we look forward to the impact they will make.

Sue Black Memorial Scholarship

Dana Adsit has been selected as the 2026 recipient of the Sue Black Memorial Scholarship, sponsored by The Greenbrier Companies. Dana is currently attending Michigan Technological University.

“I am beyond thankful to be selected for this scholarship and for the support it will provide me as I continue my education,” Dana said. “It makes a meaningful difference to my studies and to achieving my goals of being part of the innovation and progress in the rail transportation field. Thank you again to the League of Railway Women for this amazing opportunity."

Connie Sumara Memorial Scholarship

Dakota Jackson is the recipient of the 2026 Connie Sumara Memorial Scholarship. Dakota is currently pursuing a degree in environmental engineering at Tarleton State University.

“One of my greatest passions is protecting and helping our environment, and with an internship in the rail industry, I was able to see all the ways I can make an impact through paths I never thought possible,” Dakota said. “The scholarship not only contributes to my education but also motivates me to keep pursuing a career where I can contribute to the future in the rail industry.”

Future of Railroading Scholarship

Alexandra Woods is this year's Future of Railroading Scholarship recipient. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in civil engineering at Purdue University.

“I feel deeply honored to be selected for this scholarship,” Alexandra said. “I have been passionate about the rail industry since I was a young girl, and this interest has continued to propel me through Purdue’s rigorous engineering program in the hopes of becoming a railroad engineer. Thank you to the League of Railway Women for all of your support.”

LRW Announces 2025 Woman of the Year

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The League of Railway Women (LRW) recently named Dianne Barnett, assistant vice president of mechanical at Norfolk Southern, as the winner of the 2025 Railway Woman of the Year award. Barnett was honored at an awards presentation during the 2026 NRC Conference & NRC-REMSA Exhibition

The League of Railway Women (LRW) recently named Norfolk Southern’s Assistant Vice President of Mechanical, Dianne Barnett the winner of the 2025 Railway Woman of the Year award. Barnett was honored at an awards presentation during the 2026 NRC Conference & NRC-REMSA Exhibition.

Co-sponsored by Progressive Railroading, this annual award, originally presented in 1998, has honored a woman who establishes a strong vision and a culture of continuous improvement and creativity, and brings excellence to her organization and community, all while supporting the personal and professional growth of others in the rail industry.

The 2025 Woman of the Year leads with clear and steady vision rooted in optimism, accountability and progress. She believes leadership begins with understanding the “shadow you cast,” and she is intentional about modeling positivity, unity and resilience for her teams. Under Dianne’s leadership, success is celebrated, setbacks become learning opportunities, and collaboration drives meaningful, measurable improvement.

Over a 27-year career, she has shown remarkable resilience. Beginning as a stenographer clerk in Birmingham, she stepped outside of her comfort zone to transition into operations as a locomotive supervisor, earning trust through consistency, respect and her willingness to learn in the field. That experience shaped her belief that growth happens when we challenge ourselves and invest in others.

“Each award season reminds us of the incredible talent and leadership shaping our industry, and this year was no exception. The Woman of the Year Advisory Committee faced a challenging task, but Dianne’s ability to inspire those she leads, her unwavering commitment to safety, and her passion for elevating the contributions of those around her set her apart. She is not only deserving of this honor, but she also embodies the very spirit of progress and excellence we celebrate.” – Denise Williams, LRW Awards Chair.

“This award is not about separating women from open competition, nor is it about diminishing the broader accomplishments across our industry. The Railway Woman of the Year award exists to recognize and elevate contributions in an industry where women have historically been underrepresented,” said LRW President Lisa Tackach during the award presentation. “Through Dianne’s vision, innovation, safety and compassion, she has elevated her organization and the rail community, embodying what it truly means to lead with excellence.”

Please join us in congratulating Dianne in her extraordinary leadership, lasting impact, and unwavering commitment to advancing our industry and the people within it!

The Woman of the Year Advisory Committee, comprised of former Woman of the Year recipients, led by LRW Awards Chair, Denise Williams, recommends an award recipient to the LRW Board of Directors each year.

Dianne Barnett Keynote Speech

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We will be eternally grateful fo Dianne Barnett's participation at our Fourth Annual Symposium on June 1, where she dazzled us with the keynote speech, exemplifying exactly why she deserved to be our 2026 Railway Woman of the Year - a speech that struck me as both profoundly eloquent and richly layered with meaning.

A few days before the symposium, I had reached out to Dianne to share our mission, our intentions for the day, and the remarkable women we expected to be in the audience. What followed exceeded anything I could have imagined. She wove every one of those details so thoughtfully into her remarks, creating something that felt deeply personal, purposeful, and powerfully resonant. After furiously scribbling notes, I eventually had to lay my pen down and simply marvel at her talent with words and wise leadership.

I was captivated by the way she drew on her life’s journey, weaving together vivid metaphors, personal reflections, and hard-earned wisdom into a message that was both inspiring and grounding. Her words reminded us not only of the strength it takes to keep moving forward, but also of the responsibility we carry to lift and advance the women who will follow behind us. I hope that in reading her speech, you will feel the same inspiration and awe.

Daniela Fietta, LRW Events Committee Co-Chair

Tour of Louisville & Indiana Railroad

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¿Qué Más Te Espera? Estación Mujer, Encuentro para Descubrirlo

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LRW hosted an event March 4th, 2026 in the majestic historic passenger station in the heart of Querétaro. We explored cutting-edge applications of artificial intelligence in the rail sector and dove into the theme “What Else Is Possible?” to help break through mental barriers, and enjoyed a creative, recreational session meant to inspire and energize.

From Setbacks to Strengths: How Career Detours Shaped Christine Kalil’s Leadership

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What began as a challenging start in engineering evolved into a story of growth, clarity, and leadership for Christine Kalil. Her path highlights how embracing discomfort, stepping into messy problems, and creating your own opportunities can lead to breakthroughs you never expected.

Virtual Member Meetups

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Last Wednesday, Daniela Fietta and Kristen Canfield hosted LRW’s first virtual member meet-up, bringing together participants from across North America. We kicked things off with insights from Tanya Mahbubani, AVP of Strategy at CN, who shared her perspective on 2026 rail trends—including global uncertainties, growth opportunities, emerging technologies, and the value of a strong customer-service mindset.

Our breakout sessions gave members the chance to connect, exchange ideas, and reflect on industry shifts from their own vantage points. We were also thrilled to welcome our newest corporate partner, Wi-Tronix, who joined as a collective viewing group.

Don’t miss our February virtual meet-up!
We’ll be diving into your 2026 career goals—sharing stories, offering feedback, and tapping into the strength of our community for inspiration and support.

Register today and be part of the conversation!