The National Association of Railway Business Women has selected Diane Huntington of the St. Louis Chapter as its 2019 National Woman of the Year. Diane has been a member of NARBW for over 30 years. She has held every office in her Chapter and the offices of Secretary and Treasurer on the District level. Nationally, Diane has been 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Vice Presidents, as well as Convention Chairman in 2016. She served as Publication, Jewelry, and Residence Chairmen and was on other Committees. She attended her first Convention in 2000 and has not missed one since.
In her community, Diane spends much of her time on programs for special needs adults. She helps with bowling and bocce practices, and she chaperones Special Olympic tournaments. She also chaperones a weekend vacation to Branson, movie nights, quarterly dances, and Cardinal baseball games. She has worked the red-carpet runaway for the Night To Shine event for 125 special needs adults. Diane donates hundreds of hours to the AMVETS (American Veterans) Ladies Auxiliary. She initiated the Field of Glory at her Post, which now flies 200 American flags in memory or honor of a Veteran. Her organization raised funds for Veterans in her community and she has held other fundraisers and donated funds to VA Medical Centers in Missouri.
Diane began her railroad career with the Missouri Pacific Railroad in 1969 as a keypunch operator. She spent over 34 years in the St. Louis Accounting offices and the last 5-1/2 years in DeSota, MO Car Shop. She retired from the UP in February 2010 with 40 years of service. She received awards from the UP in Safety, Operation Lifesaver, United Way, Training, and for her dedication and diligence to the Friend to Friend Network, one of Diane’s proudest accomplishments. She was one of five employees who worked to establish this Network. It is a 501-c-3 organization that financially assists Union Pacific employees and retirees with dwelling and medical emergencies. The Network began in 2003 and now donates an average $800,000 annually. Diane is a member of the Board of Directors and Secretary for the Network. She volunteers a minimum of 170 hours annually to this cause.
