BLET representatives at the 2026 Teamsters Women’s Conference, from left: Darice Gilliam, Audra Smith, Kelly Hamrick, and Chandra Hurd.
Every year, Teamsters from across North America come together at the Teamsters Women’s Conference to share their experiences, learn from one another, and talk about the issues shaping their workplaces. Among those representing BLET at this year’s conference were Audra Smith, Legislative Representative of Division 94 (Gillette, Wyo.); Darice Gilliam, Arizona State Legislative Board Chair; Kelly Hamrick, Secretary-Treasurer of Division 482 (Washington, D.C.); and Chandra Hurd, Secretary-Treasurer of Division 662 (Los Angeles, Calif.).
At the 2026 Women’s Conference, Sister Gilliam was invited to represent BLET on a panel discussion about Teamster women working in nontraditional industries.
“I am incredibly grateful for the experience and even more grateful that I was able to share it with my BLET Sisters,” Gilliam said.
She is a second-generation locomotive engineer with 31 years of railroad seniority. She is a wife, mother, BNSF locomotive engineer, and Chair of the BLET’s Arizona State Legislative Board. She is the first woman to serve as a State Legislative Board Chair in BLET’s 163-year history.
The 2026 Women’s Conference was held in Washington, D.C., August 23-26, and brought together 1,500 members. Read more about the panel discussion here.
