Founded in 1925, NARBW’s aim is to “stimulate interest in the railroad industry; foster cooperation and better understanding within the industry and its affiliates; create good public relations for the railroad industry; further educational, social and professional interests of its members; and undertake charitable, benevolent and social welfare projects.” There are 13 chapters across America and hundreds of members. Membership is limited to women who are currently or formerly employed by or are a relative of someone in a railroad or railroad-connected industry. Membership must be approved by the chapter Board of Directors.
The 2024 election took place during NARBW’s May convention. Gomez, the organization’s first Hispanic President, succeeds Ida Carmouche, who had held the leadership post since 2022.
Gomez spent more than 36 years at BNSF. She started as an off-in-force employee and held various positions in the file room, PR, switchman/brakeman/conductor, D.O.T. specialist, and locomotive planner before retiring in 2017 as an administrative associate for the general manager’s department in Kansas City. While at the Class I railroad, Gomez served as President of the Santa Fe Women’s Club, Topeka, Kans.; Chairperson of the Kansas City Safety Committee; and a member of the Kansas City Diversity Committee.
