Being An Ally Means Using Your Seat At the Table
Wendy Davidson
Chief Executive Officer and Board Director The Hain Celestial Group (NASDAQ: HAIN)|, Board Director First Horizon Corporation (NYSE: FHN), and Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC)
June 1st marks the start of a month-long celebration of LGBTQ+ pride – recognizing the courage of those who’ve fought for equal rights and protections for those in the LGBTQ+ community.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) Pride Month is celebrated to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan, a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States. Pride month is an important reminder to recognize the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer individuals have had (and continue to have) in the world.
One of my favorite authors and mentors talks about the importance of leadership in aligning our values with how we show up, speak up and sync up for others. This leadership is not just for individuals and companies, but for families, communities and cultures. I believe when people feel loved and are free to give love, they are their most productive and most creative.
“Those who know me know I am an unapologetic Out Ally. Full stop. This means not sitting in my own comfort, but in showing up, speaking up and making the change needed to enable those around me to live openly and freely.”
I have realized that it's important for me to use my seat at the table, at every table, knowing that my voice will carry when I leverage my position to advocate on behalf of others. And I need to encourage (and make space) for those around me to use their seat to advocate for others. This includes supporting the launch of employee resource groups, sponsoring and mentoring talent internally at our company and across the industry, as well as supporting business partners, suppliers and influencers who are also aligned to our values. I was honored to join Steph Grant, founder of Steph Grant Studios and The Promote Love Movement on her podcast “Overthinking With Steph” to chat.
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So my voice matters. And your voice matters. This month I encourage each of us to ask:
I Scale Orgs. via Customer-Driven Development l CPG Sales Exec l Private Equity l Cross-Functional Leadership l Brands l Private Brands l Strategic Growth l Revenue Generation l Retail Partnerships l Market Penetration
1yHow they show up, collaborate, diversity of thought, pitch in, and execute is what matters.
- Artist - Copy, Layout, and Product/Project Designer - User Experience and Ethics
1yIt's important to remember that they (the queer community) walk among you without you knowing it; your coworker could still be closeted because they don't feel safe, or they may not have the language yet surrounding their identity, or they don't want to be seen as one of them instead of one of you. Maybe your company fosters a don't ask don't tell mentality, where it's okay to speak about the husbands and wives but not the partners, where it's okay to be male or female but the non-binary coworker who feels like they're lying to you by claiming any gender has been just ignoring the nausea from the gendered treatment. Have those lesser-seen facets of bigotry and prejudice been explored? Thanks for the share Wendy Davidson . Now the work begins, because until they also have a seat at the table, to be seen as the qualified individual they are instead of a token diversity representative, we're living in social slavery under a glass ceiling.
Ethics and Compliance at WKKelloggco / Michigan State University CANR Alumni Association Board Member Pronouns: She/Her
2yWendy, thank you for being such a strong Out Ally every day of the year.
Global Enterprise Data and Process Expertise
2yI wholeheartedly agree Wendy Davidson! Using my position of privilege in all situations is my responsibility. I am a proud outloud leader for the LGBTQ+ community and of ED&I efforts in the corporate world!
Sales Director @ Bishop-McCann | Creating Joy through Meetings & Events
2yI love this! Thank you for sharing!