What’s in a pronoun?

The last few weeks and months have reinforced for me that we are never done. Never done learning. Never done growing. Never done shifting our approach to a situation or a conversation in order to impact and create change. And it gives me an immense sense of pride to recognize that each of us can be the power behind change. I’ve worked to create change by being an advocate and an ally – standing up and fighting for equality for all, including race, gender, and sexual orientation. Together we are always stronger. Whether that means joining a protest, voting, or cheering and dancing in the front row of a Pride parade – it’s part of my core values to actively promote and aspire to advance the culture of inclusion through purposeful and positive efforts to invoke change. I was inspired in a new way a couple of years ago when I was witness to a situation and group of individuals that challenged the journey, adapted their thinking, and showcased a truly inclusive approach – using pronouns.  

We were at my daughter’s college orientation. As you may imagine, we were shuffled from one session to the next over the course of two days learning about wonderful college (of course, as an alumnus, I knew much of it already!). In addition to learning about campus and academic programs, there was one very small word which had an incredibly large impact on me – pronoun. With every (and yes, I mean every) presentation or seminar or tour, the college students and academic leadership would always introduce themselves first by name and then second by gender pronoun – looking to establish diversity and inclusion right at the start by creating a positive space for gender inclusion – inviting everyone to explicitly state associated pronouns – according to the specific individual… being seen in one’s own words.

It is critical to acknowledge that gender is not binary (male vs female), and not everyone’s gender conforms to the sex they were assigned to at birth, or to either gender, or to a static gender – and some individuals may not want to disclose gender at all. While I recognize the complexities of these situations, I’m confident of the purpose of gender pronoun. Respect one another and don’t make assumptions or revert to unconscious bias, as individuals referred to as the wrong pronoun can feel disrespected, invalidated, and alienated.

Acknowledgment of our pronouns may seem odd or uncomfortable at first, but this small change can have huge impact – giving people the space to be authentically themselves. I encourage you to lean into that discomfort – become comfortable with the uncomfortable – and challenge the journey ahead. I am aware that as a leader – and simply someone looking to impact change in our diverse community – I have the opportunity and the ability to amplify voices, show my support, and let colleagues and clients know that I stand with them. That’s one reason why I display my name and pronoun proudly in my email signature (she/her/hers) – and find many other instances to do so. My goal is to drive conversation that impacts positive change and create space for people to bring their whole selves to work – ultimately leading to greater connection, productivity, and creativity. I’m incredibly grateful for the number of emails I get from colleagues and clients with a note along the lines of “thank you for displaying your pronouns in your email, it means a lot to me.”

“In today’s globally connected and ever-diversifying world, culture is now more fluid and more flexible than ever — and so too should be our understanding and perception of gender. ” –Geena Rocero

The LGBTQ+ community has been fighting for equal treatment for years – from marriage to health care to inclusion and recognition in the military – and it continues to be an ongoing battle. However, just the other week, we experienced a milestone moment, one with real impact: The United States Supreme Court ruled (in a 6-3 decision) that that the 1964 Civil Rights Act protects gay and transgender Americans from workplace discrimination. This decision marks the first time the Supreme Court has specifically included workplace protections for the trans community, and it could impact other areas of federal law in the future. Change. Impact. Progress.  

I’m confident that we as individuals have the power to make an impact – making strides toward greater inclusivity – whether we are talking about race, sexual orientation, gender, or any group that needs support. Rather than staying comfortable, allow yourself to be fueled and driven by curiosity. Be open to change and inspire those around you by the actions to support your aspirations. I am inspired by those diverse individuals around me – my friends, my colleagues, and my family. And I am filled with gratitude that we remain committed to each other on this journey – remaining allies to one another and being willing to take risks along the way – to make our purpose as inclusive as possible. #changethenarrative #bethechange #SheHerHers