Elizabeth Holman dressed as a navvy to work on the railways in the 1850s, and is one of the earliest known women to do the job – now she is among those being honoured at King’s Cross and York stations
A woman who disguised herself as a man to secure work on the railway is among a group of heroines being celebrated this International Women’s Day.
Elizabeth Holman, one of the earliest known women to work on the British railway, defied the social restrictions of the 1850s by dressing as a navvy to undertake dangerous and physically demanding railway construction work. She is now being recognised in two new Hollywood-style Walk of Fame installations for International Women’s Day on March 8.
Elizabeth will be memorialised alongside Gladys Garlick, one of the first female train guards who served during WW2 air raids, and Betty Chalmers, who joined LNER in 1937 at the age of 16 and worked in an underground shelter for two years. The trailblazers are among the women honoured in LNER’s Hollywood walk of fame style installations unveiled at London King’s Cross and York train station ahead of International Women’s Day.
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The installations highlight the incredible contribution of females within the rail industry, both past and present. Modern-day railway revolutionaries are also being recognised, including train driver Helen Donagher, whose quick thinking on duty saved a passenger’s life, and Rezwana Rahman, the first LNER female driver to wear a hijab.
Despite the rich history of female contribution to the railway industry, research commissioned by LNER reveals a significant perception gap. If parents asked their children to draw a train driver, three quarters of UK children would draw a man, new research has found.
It also revealed that 97 per cent of Brits have no idea more than 35,000 women currently work in the UK railway industry. Despite three in ten women who were surveyed saying they would consider a career in rail, 67 per cent said they were unaware of opportunities available for women within the industry.
Lesley Cook, daughter of Gladys Garlick, said: “Seeing my mother’s legacy live on for her unwavering dedication to British rail is such a special moment for our family. The railway is part of our roots, with my mum as a female guard which she was so passionate about and took a huge amount of pride in, and my father being a train driver.
“It’s truly incredible to see a light shone on her story and all the other women who are receiving the recognition they deserve with this installation.”
LNER has long been a leading example for gender diversity and equality in the transport industry, and it shows no signs of slowing down, Paula Bullock, the train operator’s People Director said. Its latest data report reveals it has a 44 per cent female workforce, compared to the industry benchmark of 16 per cent.
Paula added: “Gender equity in the transport industry – particularly within rail – is something we’re deeply passionate about and firmly committed to improving at LNER. By unveiling this installation, we’re not just shining a spotlight on the remarkable achievements of women, past and present, we’re also recognising there is still work to be done.”
Ellie Burrows, Network Rail’s Eastern Region Managing Director, added: “It’s inspiring to see so many remarkable women from across the rail industry celebrated through this campaign. Their stories span generations – from the pioneers who opened doors for others, to the women who played vital roles during the Second World War, to the talented colleagues shaping the railway of today and tomorrow. Each of them shows what’s possible and why representation matters.”
The stars will be in place at London King’s Cross until after International Women’s Day on March 8, when they will then move into the Family Lounge, and in York railway station. People can scan the QR code on the installation which takes them to LNER.co.uk to read more about the incredible stories of these women.