A Diversity Timeline

Since its formation in 1982, Norfolk Southern and its people have participated in programs and activities that promote inclusion for individuals and cultures. NS employees who know of diversity-related activities in their work groups and departments are encouraged to contribute them to this timeline. Just drop a note to diversity@nscorp.com

2007

4,322 employees participate in Diversity Dialogues, diversity presentations at safety meetings, and other gatherings on the rail system.

2007 marks the five year anniversary of the diversity council. The council has had 64 members and has contacted over 21,000 people.

NS is recognized as the first “founding colony sponsor” for the 400 year anniversary of Jamestown celebration.

G.I. Jobs magazine ranked Norfolk Southern among the top 50 military-friendly companies for 2007.

Norfolk Southern Corporation has been identified as one of the companies most supportive of historically black engineering colleges and universities, according to a new survey in U.S. Black Engineer & Information Technology magazine.

2006

Supporting working parents and based on an employee idea, NS makes plans to open a 9000-square-foot child care center in its David R. Goode building in Atlanta.

2005

NS completes its latest diversity training, Managing Diversity at NS, for its entire management employee group and begins training for its employees represented by labor organizations.

“It’s Your Move” debuts in Roanoke. It’s a career fair that helps employees learn about other positions throughout the company in which they can put their diverse backgrounds and skills to work.�

Some 6,000 employees participate in Diversity Dialogues, diversity presentations at safety meetings, and other gatherings on the rail system.

In a homegrown effort, a diverse team of NS Illinois Division mechanical department employees creates a unique “Pride of the Prairie” intradivision safety award.

NS continues its sponsorship of award and recognition programs associated with The King Center in Atlanta, dedicated to advancing the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the nonviolent movement for justice, equality and peace.

2004

Minority- and women-owned suppliers and service providers now have an easy way to learn about doing business with NS – over the Internet and by contacting the material management department at nsdbe@nscorp.com . NS began its supplier diversity program in 1993.

The Attucks Theatre, saved from the wrecking ball and renovated, reopens in Norfolk. NS has supported the project to preserve The Attucks, which opened in 1919 and hosted the likes of Duke Ellington, Ruth Brown, Nat King Cole and Sam Cooke.

Mid-September through mid-October, NS people observe Hispanic Heritage Month , sponsored by the company’s Diversity Council to encourage employees to learn more about the traditions, contributions and experiences of people from Spanish-speaking countries.

NS becomes the first major sponsor of Jamestown 2007 . The 400th anniversary of the first permanent English settlement in America highlights the beginnings of our system of free enterprise, democracy and rule of law, and remembers the Europeans, Native Americans and Africans who started the “great melting pot.”�

Diversity in recruiting for railroad engineering and other professional positions is enhanced as NS continues its long-term support for programs of the Society of Women Engineers , The Cooperating Hampton Roads Organizations for Minorities in Engineering (CHROME) , North Carolina A&T State University , Norfolk State University and Hampton University .

NS supports the Congressional Black Caucus Political Education and Leadership Institute, which works to inform and involve people in the political process.

The Thoroughbred connects its customers to the marketplaces of the world, and as a reflection of that NS signs on as a sponsor of the United States Pavilion at World EXPO 2005 – the world’s fair to be held in Japan’s Aichi Prefecture.�

NS first highlights the contributions and accomplishments of women in the transportation industry by observing Women’s History Month , in March, and creates its women’s network, or WiNS, to enhance diversity through informal mentoring and by creating stronger working relationships.

The Urban League of Hampton Roads recognizes NS with its Whitney M. Young Jr. Award, given annually to a company that has made significant progress in diversifying its work force.

2003

With their first formal observance of Veterans Month in November, railroaders salute members of the NS family who have served in the armed forces.
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“Diversity Dialogues” begin on all three NS operating regions, giving thousands of employees the opportunity, in person, to ask questions and provide ideas for diversity at NS.

Diversity Council spreads its message through a booth at the annual safety awards meeting, attended by employees from across the rail system.

������� 2002

First annual African-American Railroader Month on NS recognizes contributions and achievements while promoting dialogue about diversity and its importance to the railroad’s success.�

NS creates its Diversity Council to promote ideas for strengthening business by making the best use of everyone’s talents while fostering a climate of fairness, mutual respect and professionalism.

2001

It’s the 25th anniversary of the annual “Family Jubilee” gathering of employees, families and supporters who participate in NS’ Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Services . DARS helps railroaders identify chemical dependency problems so that they can live and work in a drug- and alcohol-free environment.������

Near Atlanta, NS dedicates new intermodal terminal, largest in the East and named in honor of John Wesley Whitaker, railroad civil rights pioneer.

Diversity office created in NS Human Resources to help raise awareness of the importance of all employees’ contributions in making NS competitive in the global marketplace.

2000

NS reaches voluntary agreement ending class action lawsuit alleging race discrimination in the company’s promotion practices. The agreement provides for payments to class members, good faith goals for class member promotions to management-level jobs, and improvements to NS’ procedures for identifying, training and selecting candidates for promotion, including several diversity-related initiatives.

1999

NS helps underwrite Colonial Williamsburg’s “Brothers in Arms” program, which provides historical overview of African-American participation in American military actions since Revolutionary times.

Greenville, S.C., chapter of NAACP honors NS with its “Workforce Diversity Award.”

1997

NS is the newest member of Catalyst , a group that helps businesswomen achieve their maximum potential and which helps employers capitalize on their talents.

1996

More than 200 NS employee and retiree “Thoroughbred Volunteers” help stage the Olympic Games in Atlanta, after qualifying by logging 15,500 hours of community service to more than 80 organizations.

1995

NS initiates long-term pledge to endow program at Old Dominion University to provide scholarship support for students from the Lamberts Point neighborhood near NS’ coal transload facility.

In its Carlyle development, NS gives nine-acre African-American Heritage Park to Alexandria, Va. The park includes an early African-American cemetery, dating to 1885.

1994

NS joins INROADS , an organization that works to develop and place talented minority youth in business and industry, preparing them for corporate and community leadership.

NS sends PCs to Bosnia with the message, “Computers do not stop bullets… yet they are the technology of freedom.”

1992

NS commits funds to help expand Hampton (Va.) University Museum , which houses highly-regarded collection of African-American art.

1991

Conrail is a leader in railroad workplace diversity with its program of team activities, community events and training seminars. The mission statement is, “We are dedicated to ensuring a diverse work force by recognizing the differences in our employees due to culture, race, gender, age, education and experience. We encourage these differences. We match them to the needs and goals of Conrail, as we are working to be the employer of choice.”

It’s a watershed year for the railway’s safety meeting, as the annual event expands to include representatives from all levels in all departments in virtually every NS location.�

With the end of the Cold War, NS sends managers to Russia to provide assistance in helping railways there make the transition to a free-market economy.

1988

NS moves baby food for Polish children, some sick as a possible result of the Chernobyl nuclear accident.

They are turned down by other ports in Hampton Roads, but the “Mercy Ships” receive free berthing at NS’ Lambert’s Point Docks. The ships’ doctors, dentists and nurses provide medical care for people in Third World countries.�

1985�

NS sponsors international opera, Harriet, The Woman Called Moses , produced by Virginia Opera . The subject is Harriett Tubman, Underground Railroad leader in the days before the Civil War.�

1984

Norfolk Southern Foundation created to continue support of educational programs and community enrichment activities, including cultural and artistic organizations.

1982

NS establishes matching gifts program to aid charitable groups and causes, and a college scholarship program to aid children of employees and retirees.