NNSY's First African-American Female Train Conductor

SHIPYARD NNSY’S FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN FEMALE TRAIN CONDUCTOR

BY ANNA TAYLOR • PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST PHOTOS BY TONY ANDERSON • NNSY PHOTOGRAPHER

For Bianca Wilson, all railroads lead to the shipyard.

Her great-grandfather, grandfather and father all retired from Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY). She married into it, too – her husband Stanley is an electrician in the shipyard’s Lifting and Handling Department Mobile Cranes Branch (Code 733).

Now Wilson is laying her own track as the shipyard’s first African-American female train conductor.

“It is an honor and privilege,” she said.

“It shows my children that barriers are still 20 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • NOVEMBER 2018

being broken down and I’m happy to be part of the change. I’m overwhelmed with joy to have this opportunity. I know a lot of women are afraid of this industry, but once you get out here, it’s really fun and intriguing.”

The journey wasn’t easy, but like the little engine that could, her persistence paid off. Before beginning her career at NNSY, Wilson worked as a conductor for Norfolk Southern Railway moving coal around Lambert’s Point Coal Terminal in Norfolk.

She was their first female conductor in 22 years when they hired her.

“I had no experience, but I always wanted to work for the railroad because you hear about the great money,” she said with a laugh. “I’m not your average girly-girl, so it sounded like a great opportunity and I wanted to try something new. I had no idea what I wanted to do there though. I was presented with an opportunity to become a conductor and I jumped on it. I knew it wasn’t the average career path women take, and I am always up for a challenge.”

But the hours were long, and with three young daughters at home and just a

11

THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT

Bianca

few months left to complete her Bachelor’s Degree, Wilson wanted a job that would afford her more time at home with her family.

“The job here isn’t that different, but it’s Monday through Friday and it fits my life better,” she said. “Before I worked for Norfolk Southern, I was a stay-at-home mom. My kids have seen that motherly side of me, and now they’re seeing their mom being the first African American female conductor, and with three girls, it’s definitely an honor.”

Wilson attended one of the shipyard’s

1. Royal blue is my favorite color.

2. If I had a superpower, I would read minds.

3. My guilty pleasure is eating bad stuff, all the time!

4. Omar Epps is my celebrity crush.

5. My worst habit is daydreaming.

6. My dream car would be a Corvette.

7. I’m afraid of snakes.

8. My favorite holiday is Christmas.

I love the lights, the music, the feeling, and giving people gifts.

9. In three words, I would describe myself as a perfectionist, caring, and determined.

10. I hate washing dishes.

11. My favorite sandwich is a philly cheesesteak...without the cheese.

career fairs in the spring, but the line was too long and she never made it in the door.

“I stood in line for eight hours in the rain and never got seen, there were so many people there,” she recalled. “It took me forever and a lifetime to get in the shipyard.

I’ve been trying forever. This opportunity came out of nowhere. I honestly didn’t even know the shipyard had a railroad.”

After being called back to an invitationonly career fair at Scott Center Annex and being interviewed for an office job she didn’t really want, Wilson began to feel

discouraged. By chance, she met one of the hiring managers for Code 700, and after describing her conducting experience at Norfolk Southern, received a job offer on the spot.

“I did my fingerprints right there and everything just happened very quickly after that,” she said.

Now Wilson is one of only two billeted conductors at NNSY, and she spends her days transporting heavy equipment and materials across the yard.

“A lot of what we move are the anchors, shafts from the carriers, and fuel,” she said.

“This is one of the most dangerous jobs – you’re dealing with tonnage. It’s heavy. We have to be very careful. We’re always making sure we’re safe. There’s a lot of traffic here, people will just walk right in front of the train. And we don’t have the lights and bells ringing when we cross streets, so we have to be hyper-aware.”

When she’s not at the shipyard, Wilson splits her time between her family and her growing photography business. Her focus, though, is setting a good example for her girls and girls everywhere.

“I do encourage females to come and try a railroad job, whether it’s engineering or conducting,” she said. “It’s a whole new world. It’s a great field for women to be in. If you want something, go after it and give it all you have, the only way to fail is to not try.”

NOVEMBER 2018 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • 21