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Celebrating International Women's Day with GWR
Category: Gender (Equality & Identity)
This year on International Women’s Day in GWR we have focused on how we invest in the development of women and celebrate their achievements.
There has been a range of opportunities for training, mentoring and coaching ideas for personal and professional development, and we have shared stories of women’s success and the brilliant things they have achieved.
Here is a summary of a day full of learning and collaboration:
GWR Women in Rail hosted two 'Ideas and Solutions' Teams sessions which were open to all GWR and Network Rail colleagues.
An online IWD Panel Discussion with GWR, and NR with senior leaders from Great Western Railway, South Western Railway, Network Rail, Avanti speaking about how they have invested in themselves and advanced their career to inspire others.
Bespoke Personal Growth Development Workshops, coordinated by GWR Women In Rail and facilitated by our Inclusion partners at The Clear Company, was offered to all employees with a focus on women. Colleagues who attended the Bespoke Personal Growth Development Workshops said they were “awesome, informative and very thought provoking”.
In-house training session, "GWR Give yourself the gift of time" delivered by our Learning & Development team to help women kick off the year, thinking about their personal development and career aspirations.
GWR/NR Wellbeing lunch and learn webinar on Exploring Menopause with Natalie Beresford and Laura Davey.
Natalie Beresford, who works for Thames Valley Police, claimed the federation’s Women in Policing Award 2023. In October 2021, Thames Valley Police was named the UK’s first ‘Menopause Friendly Police Force’, following the establishment of the group supporting officers with support and workplace adjustments.
Laura Davey, a Train Manager at Bristol Temple Meads, is a nutrition course and a Menopause Coach. Who is completing a level 5 internationally recognised programme in Menopause coaching and an internationally accredited course in Menopause Health.
In addition, coaching sessions with Senior Leaders were offered throughout the day, encouraging conversations on how colleagues can invest in their development and explore roles in the organisation, and challenge subject matter experts.
GWR's Partnership with Llamau
Claire Morgan, Regional Station Manager and Oana Apetroaie, Station Manager attended the IWD Llamau conference on behalf of GWR and reported back that it was a really insightful morning and that it's great that GWR support such an important charity. Llamau is a Welsh organisation supporting young people, women and their children who are either homeless or facing homelessness
GWR Interviews MP Carolyn Harris
One woman who flies the flag for investing in women, gender equity and empowerment is Carolyn Harris MP, friend of GWR. She regularly meets with frontline colleagues and managers in Wales to share information on topics like wellbeing, menopause and gender equity, as well as supporting people in her Swansea constituency to be empowered and feel supported to do great things.
Lisa Brown, On Board Services Manager from Swansea spoke with Carolyn about her path to becoming an MP and national warrior to create a more equal footing for women in life and in the workplace. Carolyn shared her advice and tips on getting what you need to be brilliant and the reasons why it’s important to her to be a voice to be reckoned on equity for women and everyone in her community.
Tapestry unveiled at Gloucester station to mark International Women’s Day
A new tapestry depicting stories of women in rail over the ages was unveiled by Gloucester MP Richard Graham at a special event at the station on International Women’s Day.
Using the skills of the community project and working with internationally renowned participatory artist, Lisl Ponger, to create the tapestry, the ‘Hundred Heroines’ artwork transfers photographs of the women in rail narrative onto fabric squares, embroidered and stitched together by more than 50 different women.
Funded by the Great Western Railway (GWR) Customer and Community Improvement Fund, the 3.6m x 2.6m women in rail artwork depicts stories around GWR and its links to Gloucester, for example the women who worked for GWR during WWII.
MP Richard Graham said: “Shedding light on the past and present role of women in our transport sector and GWR in particular is a great way to celebrate International Women’s Day at Gloucester Station.”
Part of the project involved archive visits and learning how to undertake research. As a result of this, the project team developed a keen interest in the history of GWR and found several stories that they incorporated into the tapestry.
Great Western Railway and Network Rail Wales and Western People and Transformation Director Ruth Busby said:
“It is amazing. This detailed tapestry depicts how women have been involved in the rail industry over the course of many decades, and we are delighted to be able to unveil it here today.
“As we mark International Women’s Day it is important to remember how diverse and inclusive the rail industry is and that anyone can be part of the railway family; we all belong wherever we want to belong.
“There are so many career opportunities for people of all backgrounds and all skill levels, and we are passionate in continuing our hard work with Network Rail to encourage people to join our family.”
After the unveiling, the tapestry will be photographed in sections to be made into posters to display in the waiting room at Gloucester station. It is too large to be displayed in its actual form and will be on display at the Eastgate Centre for visitors to view.
Chair and Founder Hundred Heroines, Del Barrett, said: “This has been an extraordinary journey of discovery as to the role women have played in the history of GWR. What better way to celebrate International Women’s Day than by bringing this work to the fore through a contemporary artwork designed and made by women.”
Artist Lisl Ponger said: "I’m delighted to be here on International Women’s Day with GWR, who are supporting women by laying the tracks for a better future.”
GWR’s Customer and Community Improvement Fund is designed to support small and medium rail-related projects that can be completed over the course of a financial year.
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