Joanne Crompton - 'Women on the Footplate' speech at the HRA Autumn Conference 2021
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- Опубликовано: 1 дек 2024
- As part of the Heritage Railway Association's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion section at their Autumn 2021 Conference, I was asked to give a speech about my experiences as a woman in an operation role within the UK's heritage railway industry.
My talk was stark, honest and designed to shine a light into some very dark places.
I gave my speech to over 118 HRA members in attendance, many of whom were managers and board members of heritage railways all over the UK.
Only 10 of those attendees were women.
That was superb Joanne. It takes a skill to stand up there and say what everyone knows but wont admit. Volunteers to Heritage Railways are so important of any race, sex or skill. Heritage needs to get out of the past and into the future especially in the current climate. Truly inspirational joanne. 👏
Wow!!! I cannot believe what I'm listening to!!! It's totally unacceptable. Well done to you for not giving up!!!
A brave and much-needed speech, delivered in front of what I'm guessing was not a 100% receptive audience. I've listened to this a couple of times now, I can't quite believe anyone still has to encounter such awful behaviour these days but equally it's entirely unsurprising considering some of the attitudes I've witnessed in and around heritage railways. The world is changing, whether certain people like it or not, so let's hope those who have behaved (and continue to behave) so appallingly either move on, or see the error of their ways and make amends.
Thankyou SO much. This is SO powerful. Solidarity with you.
Aw I’m so sorry to hear you’ve been through this. It’s sad. You deserve so much better, as a father to 3 daughters, I’m so glad there’s people like yourself that are pushing and challenging for change in this world ♥️
You hit the nail on the head in the fact you have done the job,seen it all and done it all,to much qualifications dished out to people who have never and will never do the job that by qualification they are an expert in. You are a good role model young lady.
A poweful and brave speech Jo. May it inspire many and make others look at their actions 👏
Thank you so much for sharing this Jo. Let's hope your story helps those with the power to make the changes find the strength to do so. We are all in this together so there needs to be acceptance not discrimination.
You’re so amazing and inspirational Jo this is so powerful! It’s shocking you had to go through all that just because you’re a woman, if you’re good at a job it shouldn’t matter if you’re female or male. Hopefully change has already started or starts from this so more women and girls feel they can have careers on the railway.
Keep up the fantastic work.
Well said Joanne! I'm ever so sorry about what happened to you, hopefully you'll find another place at a railway! when i was riding behind 34092 City of Wells i Saw You Putting Your Hard Work in at being a fireman and one of the best ive seen! Hopefully you will recover from the actions of the ELR All the best from Harry! ❤
Excellent, on the money, inspiring and relatable to anyone who has been a volunteer.
Excellent, you are a rarity Joanne, someone on social media who constantly talks common sense with a message everyone needs to hear
Thank you for doing this. And thank you for persisting and making it easier, hopefully for other women.
Truly amazing speech Joanne. 🤗 Unfortunately it's not just women that get talked down and discriminated in heritage railways circles. 😥 because many young men and boys like me who didn't grow up with steam locomotives when they were in revenue earning service but still take an interest in them get regularly talked down to be people who did, especially when we suggest replicating a period that was before their time and it's off putting to people who consider getting involved. 😢
More people need to hear this excellent speech, well done for that perfect presentation!
I was shocked when I read the transcript at the time you spoke but to hear it directly from you is something else. I hope it starts (started?) the changes needed. Railways have enough trouble attracting volunteers, so why would any of them knowingly or otherwise exclude 50% of the potential volunteer pool?
Extraordinary speech, remarkable person, all power to you Jo.
Well done and admirable! This is imperative, beyond any doubt.
Very well said Joanne.
I second that 100 per cent
As a female who has experienced similar experiences at Ecclesbourne Valley Railway - Derbyshire which have been "brushed under the carpet & covered up by management" I fully support you Jo.
Thank you (I'm a father with two young daughters).
Fantastic speech! Sounds like some of these old drivers are given too much respect in the heritage sector. Those that have a bad attitude and are bullies should really be removed from their posts or at the very least re-educated to change their ways, like the driver you mentioned. Of course, this generation of driver, good or bad,will eventually pass away. These railways will die with them, if they do not change and embrace new entrants, irrespective of their gender
Ironically the bigots have shown that you are twice the fireman than any of the men, considering how much extra you had to do and still succeeded. Bravo and let's hope this opens people's eyes and we see start to see changes for the better.
Well said, thank you for speaking out.
I've always wondered about your accent.
So cool to hear you speak and great points made.
Credit to you Jo, persistence pays off!
Blooming heck Joanne… I’m mortified and disgusted let alone disappointed! I’ve seen you in persona quite a few times and think you do a marvellous job, nobody no matter there sex should have to go through what you have and others affected by the same bigoted selfishness of others! I really hope this didn’t happen at the ELR as this is my happy place so to speak and would really give me a different view on the place if it had. Keep up the good work and most likely see you soon 🍻
Brilliant stuff from you Joanne. I am late to this video. If Heritage Railways want to survive they need to wake up and get a move on in to the 21st century. For it to be something you are volunteering for these experiences are unacceptable.
Thank you for sharing your stories Jo, they need to be heard and it's great that you have the confidence to put yourself in the limelight to do so. One of the things that always annoys me about railways (mainline and heritage) is that the rule books often totally erase women by constantly using "he" to refer to people. Why can't the driver satisfy themself, rather than himself? I've witnessed the sort of behaviour you mention when working with signallers and footplate crew and I do my best to challenge it, and have been branded 'woke' by some. I'd rather be woke than strengthen exclusionary practices.
Well said Joanne.
Am saddened and angry at some of your stories but pleased you fought against this unacceptable behaviour and are playing such an important role in a sector that many love. Keep up the great work Joanne.
Heritage railways need too sort things out otherwise they will sadly die all volunteers should be welcome and all volunteers Male and female should be aloud to do all jobs
What is so demeaning about ticket inspection, it is actually an important role on a preserved Railway as the first point of contact between the public and the railway.
I would have thought that would have been the booking office!
Wow, Joanne! A fletch of arrows shot straight to the bullseye. I hope things are changing: groups that don't attract women (& BME) volunteers simply won't survive.
Good on you Jo.
I don't know what to say. Well said Joanne. I am sorry to say, but management at heritage railways don't have a clue what they are doing. I was bullied when I was a heritage railway all because I got learn difficulties by certain crews on a railway grades. I still get flash backs to this day. But we'll said on that speech.
This isn’t the 1950s. This in the last ten year!
Nice one Joanne. You’re clearly a top fireman and not half bad as a public speaker either. Well written well delivered and jaw dropping.
I’m a fireman, passed out 10 years ago, and I’ve done about 450 days firing at bluebell. I’ve seen a little of what you talk about, and have a good friend, made through the footplate, who’s also a fireman. I did a week with her and Clive Groome as driver about 9 years ago. ( Clive has three daughters, one isn’t bothered about steam, one is now a driver and I fired to her on her test, and the other is a fireman and my mates partner. He taught me most of what I know and he’s a very good engine man with enough skill and confidence to let you learn as well as teach you) I did a week with her and she fired about 11 out of 15 trips , with my mentoring. Apart from the last trip on the Friday where I made sure I was looking over the side when she was looking for guidance. She got us there, and it was a perfectly reasonable trip, no heckling. Big hugs and quite emotional, we were all very happy. From novice to “ I can do this”.
She’s looked into being in the signalling department as well and I gather it’s true what you say, the most animosity, ignorance and patronising remarks come from a dept that has no women in it at all. I’ve found it hard to believe some of the things she’s told me ( I sadly haven’t !)
I did 30 years driving on the big railway, and saw some sexism amongst blokes back in 1990 ish but there’s grizzled steam men who had absolutely no problem with the only woman driver on the central division of the southern region ( outside of London area) as she did fiddles didn’t pull sickies, got on with her job and did it well. Railwaymen as I found would be fine with anyone if they pulled their weight and didn’t let their colleagues down or drop them in the shite. And there was plenty of male drivers not liked for exactly those reasons!!
I’ll forward this to my friend, if she’s not seen it , she’ll appreciate seeing it. All the best now.
Havn't been back to a certain heritage railway since...
Some pretty weak management at the railways (presumably in the north of England) where she was so shoddily treated. That will have to change if those railways are to survive in these times of fewer volunteers, vastly increased operating costs, and a more cash-strapped customer base. Those railways will either die, or be dragged kicking and screaming into the realities of the 21st century out of their 1950s attitudes.
Shocking. What a shame that some HR are stuck in the Steam Age era with regards Women working on the railways in every department.
I've followed your progress on Twitter with admiration and envy but never for a moment realised the discrimination and misogynistic behaviour and attitudes you've had to endure. Whilst not wishing to tar all with the same brush, your experiences are such a sad indictment on Heritage Railway Management.
The latest outcome by ELR only goes to reinforce the problems that exist.
By their very nature, Heritage Railways preserve and revive the past. That doesn't include outdated views, behaviour and practices towards anyone. Seems like some serious Equality and Diversity training is required.
You can’t train ingrained bigotry out of someone in a powerful position when it’s their modus operandi. The only way is to remove them from office.
Unfortunately the attitude of some senior MPD volunteers and Drivers still mirrors that of the Driver in "Eight Freight Blues" they talk to and treat junior volunteers (cleaners and new starters) of all Genders like something they have found on the cab floor..how is this attitude a way to treat those of us who give up our time to do this hobby.
We are preserving the past but the attitudes and staff treatment must be that of today not of 1905.
Apart from anything else, it's a crappy 'leadership' technique that his been proven to be counter-productive. And they wonder why they have such a hard time recruiting volunteers... 🤷🤦