Research about Women that Work in the Railroad Industry

Trains Magazine General Discussion
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`I am currently conducting a study through Texas State University about women that work for a railroad. `
`My study has finally been approved and I have been gathering information from women across the country about their experiences working for the railroad. About 12 women have sent in their responses  but I need at least 10 more female participants to ensure this project is viable. Names and locations will remain anonymous. This is the first Sociological study ever done on this subjec`t though 2 commentaries were wri`tten in 1919. `` To participate involves answering a questionairre which takes about 20-25 minutes to complete. I email it to respondents and they can cut, paste,answer the questions and send it back to me. Additionally, after this research is complete, I will be happy to send the results to those that are interested. `
`Guys, please pass the word around about this.`

``My background includes working for the SP and later the UP as an Engineer. ``

`My conta`
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Tried talking to the unions, ASLRRA,AAR or AREMA for candidates?

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You might also contact some historical societies about women hired during WW II.

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There have been several articles about and by women in TRAINS. But you might also want to check with the Association of American Railroads as well as Progressive Railroading Magazine and with corporate offices of any railroads.

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`

[quote user=“railkat1”]
`

``

`I am currently conducting a study through Texas State University about women that work for a railroad. `
`My study has finally been approved and I have been gathering information from women across the country about their experiences working for the railroad. About 12 women have sent in their responses  but I need at least 10 more female participants to ensure this project is viable. Names and locations will remain anonymous. This is the first Sociological study ever done on this subjec`t though 2 commentaries were wri`tten in 1919. `` To participate involves answering a questionairre which takes about 20-25 minutes to complete. I email it to respondents and they can cut, paste,answer the questions and send it back to me. Additionally, after this research is complete, I will be happy to send the results to those that are interested. `
`Guys, please pass the word around about this.`

``My background includes working for the SP``
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Thanks for the help, everyone.

The research I’m doing is a Sociological study vs. a historical one. I need women that are currently out there working for a railroad or has in the past. The questions I’m asking specifically address certain topics. The resulting article will be approved by Texas State for publication at it’s library.

If you know of any women that might be interested in helping, please share my contact info. Thanks again for your help!

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My goal is to discover why more women aren’t working for the railroad. I was hired in 1993 and have found, unscientifically, fewer women are out there now than when I was working. Why?

Now, I have an opportunity to conduct a study that is approved and viable, backed by a University. I am a 54 year old Grad student now and frankly disappointed that more women aren’t taking advantage of a career that pays so well. So, how come? [8-|]

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Talking with an NJT conductor one day she explained she was out of work and her boyfriend pointed out an ad that NJT was hiring and encouraged her to apply. She did. She got the job. She got rid of her boyfriend.

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I don’t know if you have ever heard of Shirley DeLibero. At present she heads her own transportation consulting firm. She was at one time the Executive Director of New Jersey Transit and moved to Texas to a similar position. Her record in Texans is somewhat mixed but, be that as it may, she would certainly know a lot about your subject. If you are not familiar with her just Google on her name and you will get pages of hits.

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From the sound of your posts, you are no longer working for the railroad? So why would you give up such a lucrative career?

Lucrative being subjective, I will admit. There’s many days I ponder how green the grass is yonder the fence…

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There are many women working on NS at staff level jobs - probably 30-40% in my area. Not quite as many in the field.

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Please forward them my contact info. Thank you!

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Thanks! I will look her up.

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My eldest daughter worked as a Carman . I forwarded her your information

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Walt needs to pester SarahJW who still posts here on occasion.

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Do a search here for this subject - it seems to come up about once a year or so. One of the previous times I posted a link to Sarah JW’s webpage, and some references to articles by Linda Grant Niemann, who wrote several articles for Trains about her experiences as a switchman and conductor for SP and then UP (and a book or two), and is now a professor of English at a southern university (in South Carolina, Georgia, or Alabama, etc. ?)

Your inquiry above did not indicate a limitation to the “operating crafts”, so the following organizations may be of some interest and help:

National Association of Railway Business Women: http://www.narbw.org/

League of Railway Industry Women: http://www.narbw.org/

  • Paul North.
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railkat:

I would suggest that you contact Linda Grant Niemann, who I believe is a professor at Kennesaw State University in Georgia. She has written several articles in Trains about working as a woman in railroading. She has also written an excellent book, Railroad Noir, about her experiences on the Southern Pacific.

She would probably be able to put you in contact with organizations which would help you reach your goals.

If you can, upon completion, come back and post a link to your work.

Best of luck,

Ed

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Thanks for the info, Paul and Ed. I did contact Linda and she had expressed interest in participating. However, after this research was approved, I sent her the questions, twice, and haven’t heard back from her.

Carknocker1, thank you!

Thanks to everyone here for your help. Kathy