Women in Rail and GWR – Reclaiming the Narratives, part of Black History Month

Thursday 21st November 2024 12:30 – 13:30

Reclaiming the Narratives event is organised by Women in Rail and GWR for Black History Month and will feature an engaging panel discussion centred on the powerful theme of being “Ambitiously Loud”. This event will highlight the power of unapologetically claiming spaces, using one’s voice, and pursuing career ambitions without hesitation, particularly for Black women and men in the rail industry. The panel will bring together people to share their personal journeys, challenges and successes providing insight into how they have reclaimed their narratives.

Panellists:

1. Sharon Salmon MBE – Network Rail and WR Trustee
2. Mameri Eze – GWR Property Project Manager
3. Catia Hunter – GWR Senior Guards Manager
4. Denise Arnolin – GWR Padd Duty station manager • HEX – Stations
5. Shay-Simone Brown – SWR

The panel will be moderated by Rachel Geliamassi, Customer Service Director at GWR.

Key elements of the “Ambitiously Loud” theme:

• Unapologetic Expression: Encouraging Black professionals to express their ambitions and experiences boldly, without minimizing themselves to fit into traditional workplace narratives.
• Visibility and Empowerment: Emphasizing the importance of visibility for Black women and men in the rail industry, ensuring that their contributions, leadership potential, and stories are front and centre.
• Challenging the Status Quo: Urging attendees to push back against stereotypes or limitations placed on Black professionals and to be loud in advocating for change, both for themselves and for the next generation of leaders.
• Celebrating Ambition: Highlighting the importance of ambition, encouraging attendees to be vocal about their career goals and to pursue leadership positions with confidence and boldness.
• Inspirational Role Models: The panellists will embody this theme by sharing stories of ambition, resilience, and the courage to be “loud” in environments where there is underrepresentation. ”

Women in Rail Virtual Coffee Networking

As part of our national events programme, Women in Rail will be offering its members a virtual coffee networking, providing members with the chance to connect and grow their network across the industry.

Using a simple matching system, participants are paired for a virtual coffee and conversation. This initiative aims to:

• Help members meet new people and build relationships across the Women in Rail network.
• Facilitate discussion around set questions on national event topics, such as ‘Reclaiming the Narratives’, with anonymous feedback contributing to a report that will inspire change.

Details on how to register will be shared during the event, and you’ll be matched with another participant for a virtual coffee soon after.

We’d love for you to get involved!